Standardized Testing and You

Presented by Jay Casale, NJ Director and Zack Jacobson, SAT and ACT Tutor

Tonight’s Agenda-The Three Elements of Testing

•The Test

•The Stress

•The Prep

The Test- A Necessary Evil

Why do standardized tests exist?

What do standardized tests measure?

Which one am I supposed to take?

ACT-The VitalsCategory Feature

Scoring 1-36

4 individual Tests (English, Math, Reading, Science)

Composite Score is an average

No guessing penalty

English 75 Questions

45 Minutes

Grammar Rules/Comprehension/Good Writing

Math Up to Algebra 2 (some light trig)

60 minutes. 60 questions.

Difficulty increases.

Reading

Science

4 passages. 35 minutes.

10 questions per passage

6 passages. 35 minutes.

No real Science Knowledge.

Essay Optional

Analysis of 3 perspectives

SAT-The VitalsCategory Feature

Scoring 400-1600

2 Area Scores (Math and Reading/Writing)- 200-800 each

3 Test Scores: Math, Reading, Writing and Language

2 Cross-Test Scores: Science, History/Social Studies

Math 3 Areas of Focus:

Problem solving and data analysis.

“The Heart of Algebra”

“Passport to Advanced Math”

Item sets.

-Multi-step student responses questions.

80 total minutes- 25 without calculator/55 with.

Evidence Based Reading and Writing Reading and Writing have been combined.

Passages are on topics such as US and World Literature, History/Social

Studies, and Sciences.

Reading: 500-750 word passages. 65 minutes

Writing and Language: 400-500 word passages. 35 minutes.

Essay Optional

50 Minutes

Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills.

Apples to Apples

• SAT and ACT- they are both comparison tests.

• It’s not about how you do. It’s about how EVERYONE does.

• The curve can make or break you.

Biggest DifferencesACT SAT

Hard to finish on time. Not as much of a time crunch.

Has Science. In line with “common core”

Claims it doesn’t have science.

Straightforward Reading Focus on History and Social Studies.

Passages are more dense.

Couplet questions.

Math is straightforward but challenging.

Covers a large range of topics.

Questions at the end are very hard.

Timing

More mental math.

Section with no calculator.

Not as wide a range of topics.

Grid in questions

Composite is an average. Writing and English are comingled.

Standardized Tests in a Nutshell

15. If 6 times x is 8 more than x, what is the value of 5x ?

A) 5/8

B) 8/5

C) 8

D) 16

E) 32

Make the Math SEEM Harder Than it is.

15. If 6 times x is 8 more than x, what is the value of 5x ?

A) 5/8

B) 8/5

C) 8

D) 16

E) 32

1. Translate- 6x=x+8

What do I have? What do I need?

15. If 6 times x is 8 more than x, what is the value of 5x ?

A) 5/8

B) 8/5

C) 8

D) 16

E) 32

1. Translate- 6x=x+8

2. Set up 5x=

Do you have an answer yet?

15. If 6 times x is 8 more than x, what is the value of 5x ?

A) 5/8

B) 8/5

C) 8

D) 16

E) 32

1.Translate- 6x=x+8

2.Set up 5x=

3.Solve 5x=8

Make you do more work than you have to.

15. If 6 times x is 8 more than x, what is the value of 5x ?

A) 5/8

B) 8/5

C) 8

D) 16

E) 32

1.Translate- 6x=x+8

2.Set up 5x=

3.Solve 5x=8

4.STOP!!!!

The wrong answers are there for a reason

15. If 6 times x is 8 more than x, what is the value of 5x ?

A) 5/8

B) 8/5

C) 8

D) 16

E) 32

1.Translate- 6x=x+8

2.Set up 5x=

3.Solve 5x=8

4. STOP!!!!

5. x=8/5, but who asked?

Whats an inference?

• Jay shows up soaking wet. What can we infer about what happened to Jay?

Whats an inference?

• Jay shows up soaking wet. What can we infer about what happened to Jay?

Jay made contact with Liquid

Standardized Test Math

ACT MATH

SAT Math

Writing (Grammar)

• I could of gotten here earlier.

• Thank you Kelly for hosting Zack and I.

• After I am done with this presentation, I plan on going home.

• I wasn’t sure whom was going to be here.

The Stress

• Student Stress

• Parent Stress

• Which one is worse?

• Misinformation is everywhere.

• Stress is the currency of the test prep and admissions industries.

• How do we alleviate stress?

The Prep

• No matter which test, it is all about preparing.

• Standardized test-taking is a skill-it has to be learned and practiced. (my most

common tutoring student)

• None of them is a school test.

• You have to learn your lines before you can perform. (or sports if that’s your

thing).

How we can help

• What is Specifix Prep?

• How does it work?

• Personalized Study Plan, etc.

• Courses, Small Groups, One on One Tutoring

Things We Get Asked

• What about the PSAT/Aspire?

• Which test do schools like better?

• How much improvement can I expect?

• What’s my role in this?

• What is a good score?

• What are Subject Tests?

• How many times should we take the test?

• How do scores get reported?

Questions to Ask

Any Test Prep Provider

• What are your teachers’ qualifications?

• How are they trained?

• Do I have to pay more to get more experienced teachers?

• What kind of guarantee do you have? What are the terms?

• Do you write your own tests?

• Do you give “free” tests?

• Do you give a consultation?

Remember

• Testing is just one element of admissions.

• In 5 years, no one will care.

QUESTIONS

Give me a call or shoot me an email for a personal consultation.

908-763-7763

jaycasale@specifixprep.com