Standardized Testing
Standardized 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 Tests
used 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 ACT
Administered by ACT, Inc., the ACT is a curriculumbased, 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 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.
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 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 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 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/abouttests .
The 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 Tests
used 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 CollegeLevel 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 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.
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.
Standardized Tests
used for Diagnostic Purposes
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.
The 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 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 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 schoolsupervised 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 Comparisons
Exam
Cost
Register
STOE
ITED
ACT
$0
$0
No
No
Yes
SAT I
SAT II
AP
PLAN
PSAT
NMSQT
$38-54.50
$52.50
$52.50
$91
$0
$14
$14
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Testing Recommendation
9th Grade
11th Grade
Spring of 11th Grade
Year
At course completion
At course completion
10th Grade
9th & 10th Grade
11th Grade
Standardized Tests
Accommodations
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 Tests
Accommodations, 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 Tests
Preparation
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.