Standardized Testing...The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Standardized tests...a crucial yet dreaded part of the last two years of high school. Standardized tests are a taboo topic for many students, because everyone is at their own level and confidence within their testing. Some students need to get to a scholarship cutoff for University of Iowa, some are just planning on taking it once, and others are scoring at the top of the scale to apply to Ivy League Universities. I will walk you through the most common tests and provide resources on how to prepare.
The first, and most common within Iowa, is the ACT. The ACT consists of four different tests, each a different length, that help determine a student's preparedness for college. This is not to say that someone who scores immensely high will do well wherever they go, or that someone who scores low will not be able to survive anywhere. It is simply a basis of measurement that lines the student body up somewhat evenly and allows for an actual comparison between students. The first test on the ACT is the English portion which is 75 questions and is 45 minutes long. Next is the Math portion, which gives you 60 minutes to complete 60 questions. Third is the reading section, which is 40 questions and 35 minutes. Science, which is next, is the same amount of questions and time allotment as reading. There is an optional essay at the end as well, but many schools do not require this anymore. The biggest challenge of the ACT is time, not content. Content-wise math does cover a lot of topics, but the other three tests are not as hard to study for. Time is your enemy on the ACT so I recommend doing timed practice tests multiple times before taking the real thing and also wearing a simple stop watch on test day.
The second major test is the SAT. Many students struggle trying to decipher which is a better test for them. The SAT also predicts a student's "readiness" for college. The main difference between the SAT and ACT is the time restraint. The SAT is comprised of three main sections: Reading, Writing, and Math. Reading is 65 minutes and has 52 questions. Writing is 35 minutes for 44 questions. Math is 80 minutes long but split into two sections: calculator illegal and legal. Calculator legal is 55 minutes and non-calculator is 25 minutes. The SAT is less time-intensive and therefore is better for students who do poorly under intense timing pressure.
To prepare for these tests, I recommend Khan Academy and using other online video programs. Otherwise there are countless study books that you can buy or get used for cheap.
The first, and most common within Iowa, is the ACT. The ACT consists of four different tests, each a different length, that help determine a student's preparedness for college. This is not to say that someone who scores immensely high will do well wherever they go, or that someone who scores low will not be able to survive anywhere. It is simply a basis of measurement that lines the student body up somewhat evenly and allows for an actual comparison between students. The first test on the ACT is the English portion which is 75 questions and is 45 minutes long. Next is the Math portion, which gives you 60 minutes to complete 60 questions. Third is the reading section, which is 40 questions and 35 minutes. Science, which is next, is the same amount of questions and time allotment as reading. There is an optional essay at the end as well, but many schools do not require this anymore. The biggest challenge of the ACT is time, not content. Content-wise math does cover a lot of topics, but the other three tests are not as hard to study for. Time is your enemy on the ACT so I recommend doing timed practice tests multiple times before taking the real thing and also wearing a simple stop watch on test day.
The second major test is the SAT. Many students struggle trying to decipher which is a better test for them. The SAT also predicts a student's "readiness" for college. The main difference between the SAT and ACT is the time restraint. The SAT is comprised of three main sections: Reading, Writing, and Math. Reading is 65 minutes and has 52 questions. Writing is 35 minutes for 44 questions. Math is 80 minutes long but split into two sections: calculator illegal and legal. Calculator legal is 55 minutes and non-calculator is 25 minutes. The SAT is less time-intensive and therefore is better for students who do poorly under intense timing pressure.
To prepare for these tests, I recommend Khan Academy and using other online video programs. Otherwise there are countless study books that you can buy or get used for cheap.
Great overview. I would recommend going over a review for math if you have been on an advanced course pathway. Sometimes kids have forgotten some of the geometry skills. I know other parents have hired tutors. Remember we have an ACT test day for all juniors in DMPS.
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