A Basic Guide to Standardized Testing
by Lynn Scully
I recently met with a home educated student, Pam, who was preparing for her first
SAT. She hoped to one day make medical research her career, but first, she had to
take the SAT and begin her college search.
Initial testing to identify areas of weakness revealed almost a complete lack of
high school math knowledge; she knew virtually no algebra or geometry. Pam’s
math program focused instead on “life skills”—her ability to handle
money, balance a checkbook, and calculate interest payments were a testament to
her studies, but she did not have the skills and knowledge needed to get into, or
to succeed in college and beyond. In other words, she had not been preparing for
a science-based college education. So, rather than preparing for her SAT, Pam faces
at least two more years of high school math study to be ready for the future she
envisions. Her parents were as surprised as she was to discover that, despite her
hard work and good grades, she was not at all prepared for college.
True, it could be worse—but it could have been better. Consistent standardized
testing, either state-or privately administered, would have given objective feedback
to Pam’s parents. Knowing Pam’s goals, they could have chosen the curriculum
that would have provided Pam with the skills and knowledge she needs to succeed.
In other words, standardized testing helps an educator assess what is age-appropriate
knowledge to master.
Like Pam, many students fear standardized testing. Working under pressure on a timed
test, in a strange environment, can be intimidating. Familiarity with the test formats,
as well as preparation in content knowledge, may ease some of that anxiety.
Testing is also scary to you, the educator. Are you being graded? Do you fear a
low test score as a reflection of your efforts? When you chose to homeschool, you
knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but you knew it was the right choice for
you and your child. Your child relies on you to ensure that his education is comprehensive
and adequately aligned with the ever-changing national standards. Regularly scheduled
testing allows you to systematically identify areas of slow progress for remediation.
Don’t be too tough on yourself, but be honest and realistic. Expect ability
levels to fluctuate: a great year of social studies may result in weakened math
ability. Seeing these results in standardized test scores doesn’t indicate
a crisis, but it does tell you it’s time to refocus. If your child’s
vocabulary level has dropped, perhaps you should read together again for a while.
Or you may see that your child was expected to know something about ratios and realize
that they’re now introduced earlier than high school, the time you first saw
them.
The following is an overview of the most common standardized tests: what they are,
when to prepare for them, when to take them, how to register for them, and the role
of each test. To ensure that the student’s ability is accurately represented,
provide the opportunity to learn each test format. Visit appropriate websites with
your student to help her become better accustomed to, knowledgeable about, and comfortable
with the test style.
Since the scoring of these tests varies, look at the national percentages to gauge
your child’s progress and ability level. Ideally, your student’s average
will remain the same or increase with each testing opportunity, regardless of the
test type. If the percentage on any section decreases drastically, it may be time
to re-evaluate your program to fit your child’s needs and goals.
Elementary and junior high school
The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is for students ages 10-14.
Two grading scales are used, one for grades 5-7 and another for grades 8-11. Vocabulary
recognition and reading comprehension are key. The math requires arithmetic skills,
including fractions and decimals, percents, and basic word problems; basic algebra,
including simple solving and ratios; and basic geometry. The 30-minute essay is
not scored. Go to
www.ssat.org to become familiar with the test format, to register, and to
find a nearby test center. The SSAT is offered seven times a year, usually at private
schools, but can also be administered by an independent educational consultant.
The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) has three levels, spanning
grades 4 through 11. It covers verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension,
and math, and also requires an essay although it is not scored. Go to www.erbtest.org/pages/ERB_ISEE.html
for a student guide, online registration, locations, and dates.
High school
A common error when interpreting score reports is to take the scores as an absolute.
For instance, a 30% score on math should indicate to the parent an area where work
is needed, not that the child has low math aptitude. Rather than avoid the low performance
areas, increase instruction in those areas with the goal of raising knowledge and
ability. Difficult does not mean impossible.
Allow for more frequent testing if possible— working toward a measurable goal,
that is, a test score, provides the feedback needed to gauge the effectiveness of
your efforts. Be flexible and expect curriculum changes. Allow the child sufficient
time between tests to master the material, and do practice tests to build testing
skills.
For the following tests except the ACT, registration information for homeschooling
families is provided at
www.collegeboard.com. PSAT
The Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, is just that. Since the PSAT scores are not sent to
colleges, the PSAT provides an opportunity to become familiar with the SAT format
(it is slightly shorter and does not include the 25-minute essay) without the concern
that colleges will see the scores. More important, the corrected answer sheet and
test booklet are returned to the student (through the guidance office of the school
administering the test), allowing for a more complete understanding of problem areas.
The PSAT is given once a year in October and is the only high school level test
that requires registration through a local guidance office. Contact your nearest
high school in early September to register and pay for the test. Take the PSAT at
least twice—as early as the completion of Algebra I.
Sat
The Scholastic Assessment Test, better known as the SAT, is a reasoning test, which
means it combines logic and reasoning skills along with the knowledge gained in
a classical education: good reading comprehension and vocabulary recognition; grammar
and editing skills along with the ability to formulate a persuasive essay; and complete
algebra and geometry knowledge. The SAT may be taken at any age (it is the cornerstone
of the Johns Hopkins Talent Search program for junior high students) but is usually
challenging for students below age 14.
Act
The American College Test, or ACT, is a four-section test: grammar, vocabulary
and reading comprehension, math, and science. There is an optional essay. The ACT
is similar to the SAT in that it is a nationally administered standardized test
accepted by college admissions officials as part of a complete college application.
The science section is not based on previously learned science information; it is
the “reasoning” section in that it combines critical reading skills
and graph interpretation skills to determine answers. The best way to prepare for
the science section is to increase reading comprehension and become familiar with
the test format.
The math section focuses more on knowledge than on reasoning skills. No formulas
are provided, and only basic function calculators are permitted, as opposed to the
SAT, which provides many basic formulas and allows advanced function calculators.
Information for this test is available at
www.act.org.
SAT Subject Tests
The SAT Subject Tests are not logic based (an aspect of tests that people consider
“tricky”). Multiple one-hour subject tests are available in many high
school level topics such as math, sciences, languages, and more. Up to three subject
tests may be taken on the same day. The appropriate subject test should be taken
when study in a subject is complete, regardless of age.
Many colleges require at least one SAT Subject Test score as part of the application.
Subject tests are especially valuable for a homeschooled student to exhibit subject
matter mastery to a college’s admission board or to provide an objective “final
exam” for personal use.
AP Tests
An advanced placement, or AP, test may provide proof of proficiency in a subject
beyond that associated with a standard high school education. AP test scores may
be accepted by a college to provide credit for a college-level course or allow a
student to skip beginning level classes. Since not all colleges provide credit for
high AP test scores, it is best to check with the college your student plans to
attend if he is taking the test only to gain college credit. For parents looking
to challenge a student, AP test preparation is a great advanced education program.
College level
Both the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests and the Dantes Subject Standardized
Tests (DSST) are designed to provide college credit for “information mastered”
in order to speed up the college process, reduce college education costs, or to
quickly move a student into advanced courses. Read more at
www.collegeboard.com and
www.getcollegecredit.com.
A word of caution: a CLEP may be used to demonstrate advanced proficiency, but don’t
shortcut the college education drastically. These tests are best saved for adults.
Age-appropriate college students are enriched by the college experience and, as
you already know, there is so much more to an education than just facts.
Biographical Information
Copyright, 2009. All rights reserved by author below. Content provided by The Old
Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC.
Lynn Scully has been tutoring students and guiding them through their education
and college admissions process for the past 18 years. She is the author of the get
IT (Independent Tutorial) SAT program. Questions for Lynn? Email her at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or visit her website at
www.getsatprep.com for more information.
| It has been said that “Information is power”. When it comes to creation information we’d have to agree. Keep the ‘powerful’ evidence for God being Creator coming.  | | |
|
