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Facing the Tests
By Katherine Wittig, Managing Editor
As
the second semester of the school year approaches, many students
experience anxiety covering everything from shifting classes to AP
tests, from college acceptance letters to the SATs or next year's
PSAT. In some cases, students are not worried at all, and this might
just be a result of not knowing what they should be worried about.
Well, it is true that assessment tests should be taken seriously,
because scores of these test dramatically affect entrance into
college and/or merit-based financial aid opportunities.
Nevertheless, carefully planned study and preparation is much more
helpful than all-out panic.
It is certainly easy to get lost in
just the abbreviations for tests such as the AP, SAT, PSAT, and ACT,
and the strategies for mastering these tests are even more
complicated. Students tend to face tests with one of the following
typical teen reactions to life: a) panic, b) apathy, c)
procrastination, or d) all of the above. Ideally, another option
becomes available: e) preparedness and the potential for high
performance.
Sometimes the toughest part of
planning something is just figuring out where to start," the College
Board wisely counsels. The College Board is an examination board in
the United States that provides standardized tests such as the SAT,
PSAT, and CLEP, as well as the subject-specific SAT Subject Tests
and Advanced Placement tests. Because differences exist in
scholastic funding, curriculum, grading, and difficulty throughout
the United States, universities often use these and other tests to
compare applicants.
A daunting task of three hours and
forty-five minutes, the SAT Reasoning Test contains three major
sections, Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing. Each section
is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, and total scores are calculated
by adding up scores of the three sections. The test will always
begin with the twenty-five minute essay, and it will always conclude
with a ten-minute writing section. The other eight sub-sectons may
appear in any order. Preparation for the SAT Reasoning test,
formerly known as the SAT I, is quite frequently made available by
the high school, private organizations, and the College Board. Each
school year the school offers multiple practice tests, as well as
information regarding SAT Preparation Classes (not provided by ESHS)
are available in the Counseling Offices. Individual studying can
also be accomplished with any number of SAT Preparation Books, most
notably the official study guide provided by the College Board. Free
test preparation is also available at collegeboard.com.
The SAT Subject Tests are 20
separate, one-hour multiple choice tests given on individual
subjects. Depending on college entrance requirements for schools a
student is planning to apply for, he or she may choose which tests
to take. Like the individual sections of the SAT, scoring for these
SAT Subject Tests falls in a range from 200 to 800, with an average
falling near 600. Subjects include various topics in English,
History and Social Studies, Mathematics, Sciences, and Languages.
Students are recommended to take these Subject Tests after or near
completion of corresponding courses. Preparation resources and
further information about registration are also provided on
collegeboard.com or in the Counseling Department of the high school.
As adults look back on high school,
they often find it easy to remember the simple and painless side of
life, viewing adolescence as a vital and enjoyable period of growth,
interaction with peers, and excitement. Time shared with friends,
enlivening activities, and enjoyable-or amusing-teachers mark the
memorable moments of these four years. However, those people still
attending high school find the perilous swamp of testing,
assignments, and college preparation far from effortless.
Nevertheless, as difficult as these classes and tests are, the
solution is always available, and the vital ingredients to a
successful high school career-or any area of life-are simply
comprehension, determination, and recognizing the expectations.
SUPERIMPOSED:
"Sometimes the toughest part of planning
something is just figuring out where to start.”
--The College Board
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