So while standardized tests may be unreliable and not every college requires them, it doesn’t look like they are going away anytime soon. If you are applying to a college that requires test scores, then you have little choice but to “bite the bullet” and take the test.
In my opinion, the way our culture is shaped today means that college is still a learning time for students. We should not expect to drop them off, drive away and Boom! they are adults. Colleges understand that your performance in high school is not who you are. They want to help you in the process of becoming an adult.
In your junior year, if not before, step back and take a careful look at your study skills. Are you really doing the best that you can? Is there some area that you can improve on? Be sure to use any outside help you can. High school teachers are usually very willing to help you reach your potential, so just ask. You can meet after school or use your school’s free tutoring services. Take advantage of those opportunities to improve your grades.
— Sarah Wilburn, Campus Bound
Meet the New Tests
As you probably know, the SAT and ACT tests have recently been changed. Let’s take a look at these “new” exams:
SAT Reasoning Test (www.collegeboard.com)
The exam has three sections—Critical Reading, Math and Writing— each scored between 200 and 800 points for a total possible score of 2400.
The Critical Reading section is 70 minutes long with two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. It contains reading comprehension, sentence completion and paragraph-length critical reading sections. This section replaces the old verbal section.
The Math section is 70 minutes long with two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. It contains multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses on numbers and operations, algebra, geometry and statistics, probability and data analysis.
The Writing section contains a 25-minute essay that is first and a 35-minute multiple choice section that has questions on identifying sentence errors, improving sentences and improving paragraphs.
SOME THOUGHTS FROM COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS ON THE SAT AND ACT
“Schools that use the SAT are throwing away a third of their talent.”
—WILLIAM HISS, Dean of Enrollment at Bates College
“While this test has some ability to predict student performance in the first year of college, it falls far short of predicting overall academic or career success and a host of other aptitudes that educators and society value, such as intellectual curiosity, motivation, persistence, leadership, creativity, civic engagement and social conscience.”
—JOANNE CREIGHTON, President of Mount Holyoke College
“The negative impact of the SATs falls disproportionately on African Americans and Latinos. If you are about things like diversity in your student body, the SAT can be an impediment.”
—CHRISTOPHER HOOKER-HARING, Dean of Admission at Muhlenberg College
Reprinted with permission of FairTest (www.fairtest.org)
ACT (www.actstudent.org)
This exam has four multiple-choice tests and an optional Writing test. There is a score for each of the four tests (English, Math, Reading and Science) from 1 (low) to 36 (high), and the composite score is the average of the four test scores between 1 and 36.
The English section has 75 questions in 45 minutes that test standard written English (punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure) and rhetorical skills (strategy, organization, style).
The Mathematics section has 60 questions in 60 minutes that test pre-algebra (23 percent), elementary algebra (17 percent), intermediate algebra (15 percent), coordinate geometry (15 percent), plane geometry (23 percent) and trigonometry (7 percent).
The Reading section has 40 questions in 35 minutes that test reading comprehension.
The Science section has 40 questions in 35 minutes that test the “interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills” of natural sciences.
The optional Writing section has one essay prompt in 30 minutes that tests writing skills.
Tips for Getting a Higher Score
It goes without saying that doing well on the standardized college entrance exams (ACT/SAT) helps you get in the front door of most colleges. There are dozens of books to tell you how to do well on these standardized tests, so I will not attempt to do it here. Instead, here’s a quick list of the most basic things you can do to assure that you do the best you can:
Make a decision that the test is important to you and that you will give it time and effort.
Get familiar with the test format so that this is not a surprise to you. Know what each test will cover. You can get free sample exams from the creators of the exams by going to www.collegeboard.com for the SAT and www.act.org for the ACT.
Consider hiring a coach or tutor to help you prepare for the tests. There are intensive test preparation courses available from companies like Princeton Review (www.review.com) and Kaplan (www.kaplan.com), but there are also lower-cost options from community colleges and maybe even your high school.
Go to the library or bookstore and start looking at all the test prep books. They come in several different formats. A recent trend is exciting novels of all kinds that entertain you while they introduce you to all of the vocabulary words you need to know for the test. Check the stories out at www.amazon.com or use a search engine to find “vocabulary SAT novels.” The stories are so captivating that you completely forget that you are learning at the same time. SAT and ACT prep books are easy to find and will de-mystify the process for you.
Check out websites on the Internet for test help. Just put “SAT test preparation” in the search box. Here are just a few of the many out there:www.review.comwww.kaplan.comwww.number2.comwww.act-sat-prep.comwww.4tests.comwww.petersons.com
A last bit of advice before you take one of these standardized tests: Do not attempt to cram for them; it will never work. This is not that type of test. Instead go into the test well rested, following a good breakfast. Take the entire three hours and 35 minutes to complete it. Don’t rush. If you get done early, just take the time to go back over your work. Don’t panic when you see other students turning in their tests when you are far from done. Everyone has a different test pace, and getting done faster is not an indication of how anyone did. Know that