Standardized TestingStandardized Testing

Standardized Testing DefinedStandardized Testing Defined

A standardized test is designed in such a way that its administration, scoring and interpretation are consistent.

Examples include Achievement Tests like the Iowa Tests of Education Development, (ITEDS) and Stanford Open-Ended (STOE), and College Admission exams.

Standardized Testsused for Undergraduate AdmissionStandardized Testsused for Undergraduate Admission

Most colleges and universities require one standardized test for admission consideration, either the ACT or the SAT I.

These exams asses a student’s general academic development and ability to perform college-level work.

Most selective colleges also require one, two or even three SAT II: Subject Tests.

The ACTThe ACT

Administered by ACT, Inc., the ACT is a curriculum-based, multiple choice exam. It is divided into four sections measuring knowledge in the areas of English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. An optional writing test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

Although its use by east coast schools has increased, the ACT is commonly employed as a college admissions test in the Mid-west and parts of the South and West.

The ACT at a GlanceThe ACT at a Glance

• As it measures high school learning, the recommended courses include four years of English, three years each of mathematics (advance algebra or higher), natural and social sciences.

• Scores are based on number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.

• A scoring scale of 1 to 36 is used for each of the four sections. The ACT Composite is the average of these four.

• As it measures high school learning, the recommended courses include four years of English, three years each of mathematics (advance algebra or higher), natural and social sciences.

• Scores are based on number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.

• A scoring scale of 1 to 36 is used for each of the four sections. The ACT Composite is the average of these four.

The ACT at a Glance, cont.The ACT at a Glance, cont.

• The optional, 30-minute Writing Test Component score is determined using a formula that weights the English Test score by two-thirds and the Writing Test score by one-third. The combined score is reported on a 1-36 scale.

• You can take the ACT no more than 12 times

• More information: www.actstudent.org.

• The optional, 30-minute Writing Test Component score is determined using a formula that weights the English Test score by two-thirds and the Writing Test score by one-third. The combined score is reported on a 1-36 scale.

• You can take the ACT no more than 12 times

• More information: www.actstudent.org.

The SAT IThe SAT I

Administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) for the College Board, the SAT I is a multiple choice and writing exam designed to measure verbal and mathematical reasoning skills.

The SAT I is the preferred entrance exam for most selective colleges and universities.

The SAT I at a GlanceThe SAT I at a Glance

• The exam is actually divided into seven sections--three verbal, three mathematical and one (non-graded) equating section used for statistical analysis.

• The verbal section utilizes word-pairs and reading passages to test vocabulary skills, ability to understand and analyze text, recognize relationships between parts of a sentence and establish such between pairs of words.

• The math section tests problem-solving ability in arithmetic, algebra and geometry.

• The exam is actually divided into seven sections--three verbal, three mathematical and one (non-graded) equating section used for statistical analysis.

• The verbal section utilizes word-pairs and reading passages to test vocabulary skills, ability to understand and analyze text, recognize relationships between parts of a sentence and establish such between pairs of words.

• The math section tests problem-solving ability in arithmetic, algebra and geometry.

The SAT I at a Glance, cont.The SAT I at a Glance, cont.

• A scoring scale of 200 to 800 is used for each of the two areas. The SAT I total (ranging from 400 to 1600) is the sum of the two.

• The Writing Section is now optional.– Colleges determine if necessary for admission– 50 minutes to write essay– Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills

• New- No deduction for blank answers or incorrect answers

• More information:http://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests .

• A scoring scale of 200 to 800 is used for each of the two areas. The SAT I total (ranging from 400 to 1600) is the sum of the two.

• The Writing Section is now optional.– Colleges determine if necessary for admission– 50 minutes to write essay– Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills

• New- No deduction for blank answers or incorrect answers

• More information:http://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests .

The SAT II, Subject TestsThe SAT II, Subject Tests

Administered by College Board, the SAT II is a curriculum-based, subject exam designed to measure knowledge and skill as well as the ability to apply said knowledge and skill in a particular subject area.

Many of the selective colleges require one to three subject tests and some may specify which ones to take.

Standardized Testsused for Subject MasteryStandardized Testsused for Subject Mastery

Subject level standardized tests provide students with an opportunity to earn college credit or advanced standing.

Advanced Placement (AP) Program allows students to take college-level courses during high school. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides students with an opportunity to earn credit for prior knowledge. Both are administered by the College Board.

International Baccalaureate Exams, administered by the IB Organization, are similar to AP Exams.

AP at a GlanceAP at a Glance

• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are administered to registered students in a school-supervised session each May.

• The tests are comprised of both content specific multiple-choice and free response questions.

• Results are reported using a scoring scale of 1 to 5; yet, each college or university can award credit differently.

• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are administered to registered students in a school-supervised session each May.

• The tests are comprised of both content specific multiple-choice and free response questions.

• Results are reported using a scoring scale of 1 to 5; yet, each college or university can award credit differently.

AP at a Glance, cont.AP at a Glance, cont.

• AP class enrollment, course grades and exam scores are commonly considered for college admissions, so excellent performance should be shared during the application process. Additionally, opportunities for AP Scholar distinctions exist through this program and are reported on a student’s final high school transcript.

• More information: www.collegeboard.org.

• AP class enrollment, course grades and exam scores are commonly considered for college admissions, so excellent performance should be shared during the application process. Additionally, opportunities for AP Scholar distinctions exist through this program and are reported on a student’s final high school transcript.

• More information: www.collegeboard.org.

The PLAN and the PSAT are both designed to measure academic development, explore career options and facilitate purposeful high school course planning.

The PLAN is administered in the fall of a student’s sophomore year and the PSAT/NMSQT is offered during the fall of a student’s junior year*. NMSQT is used to determine eligibility in the National Merit Scholars competition.

*For this reason, some sophomores take the PSAT as practice, but it is not necessary.

Standardized Testsused for Diagnostic PurposesStandardized Testsused for Diagnostic Purposes

The PLAN at a GlanceThe PLAN at a Glance

• The PLAN, as a “Pre-ACT” test, is administered to all Ames High sophomores in a school-supervised session each fall.

• It is a curriculum-based exam measuring academic achievement in English, Reading, Mathematics and Science.

• A predicted ACT score for each section and composite is given utilizing the same 1 to 36 scale.

• More information: www.act.org.

• The PLAN, as a “Pre-ACT” test, is administered to all Ames High sophomores in a school-supervised session each fall.

• It is a curriculum-based exam measuring academic achievement in English, Reading, Mathematics and Science.

• A predicted ACT score for each section and composite is given utilizing the same 1 to 36 scale.

• More information: www.act.org.

The PSAT/NMSQT at a GlanceThe PSAT/NMSQT at a Glance

• The PSAT/NMSQT, the Preliminary SAT & National Merit Scholars Qualifying Test, is a reasoning test that measures critical reading, mathematics and writing skills .

• PSAT/NMSQT scores are reported on a scale of 20 to 80.

• More information: www.collegeboard.org.

• The PSAT/NMSQT, the Preliminary SAT & National Merit Scholars Qualifying Test, is a reasoning test that measures critical reading, mathematics and writing skills .

• PSAT/NMSQT scores are reported on a scale of 20 to 80.

• More information: www.collegeboard.org.

The PSAT/NMSQT at a Glance, cont.The PSAT/NMSQT at a Glance, cont.

• The PSAT, the Preliminary SAT, is available for students desiring academic diagnostic information and/or additional practice prior to taking the NMSQT during the junior year*. It is administered in a school-supervised session each fall*.

• The NMSQT, the National Merit Scholars Qualifying Test, is administered to all Ames High juniors in a school-supervised session each fall.

• The PSAT, the Preliminary SAT, is available for students desiring academic diagnostic information and/or additional practice prior to taking the NMSQT during the junior year*. It is administered in a school-supervised session each fall*.

• The NMSQT, the National Merit Scholars Qualifying Test, is administered to all Ames High juniors in a school-supervised session each fall.

Standardized Tests ComparisonsStandardized Tests Comparisons

Exam Cost Register Testing Recommendation

STOE $0 No 9th Grade

ITED $0 No 11th Grade

ACT $38-54.50 Yes Spring of 11th Grade Year

SAT I $52.50 Yes

SAT II $52.50 Yes At course completion

AP $91 Yes At course completion

PLAN $0 No 10th Grade

PSAT $14 Yes 9th & 10th Grade

NMSQT $14 Yes 11th Grade

Standardized TestsAccommodationsStandardized TestsAccommodations

Both the ACT and CollegeBoard afford accommodations for students with disabilities when taking the ACT and SAT exams.

Disabilities must be verified with documentation from a diagnostician (physician, psychologist or psychiatrist). And, needed accommodations must have been previously provided in the academic setting.

Both require application which is reviewed for approval by the testing company.

Standardized TestsAccommodations, cont.Standardized TestsAccommodations, cont.

For the ACT

Application for Accommodations is submitted by the school’s SSD Coordinator (AHS counselor) and should be submitted with ACT Exam registration. Review takes 4-6 weeks.

For the SAT

Application for Accommodations is submitted by the school’s SSD Coordinator (AHS counselor) but is submitted after SAT Exam registration. The review process takes 6-8 weeks.

Standardized TestsPreparationStandardized TestsPreparation

Test Preparation means different things to different people. Some students do well on their own using text resources and/or self-directed computer programs and others prefer one-on-one tutoring.

Regardless, it is critical to know what to expect by becoming familiar with the instructions, time limits, and formats of each exam taken. Especially for those such as the ACT and SAT I.

Taking these exams for practice is expected; however, to take either more than three times is excessive and unnecessary.