| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
College Success
(Admitted to Univ. of Miami) |
"Typical horror story. Waited until the last night to submit my essay. After submitting, had a storm in area and electricity went out. It went back on at 4 a.m. - the day the essay was due in the mail. So I submit the essay at 4 a.m., order the express and start praying. Somehow you get it back to me by 9 a.m.. And the editor did a perfect job of rearranging my words and cutting out what was extraneous. He was awesome. That was the best money spent in a long time. Thank you so much. I will tell everyone about this site. Thank you."
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Standardized
Tests
Like it or not, standardized test scores play a crucial role in private school admissions. Luckily, familiarity with the tests and a few commonsense strategies can markedly improve your scores. Here's a guide on what to expect and how to prepare.
TESTING OVERVIEW
In addition to grades and activities, admissions officers are very interested in standardized test scores. Although not all private schools require applicants to take the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT), or the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE), the number that do is growing. While admissions decisions do not turn on these results alone, and most admission directors would be quick to assure a candidate that many other factors are carefully studied, strong test scores will enhance any child's candidacy to a competitive private school.
SSAT
The SSAT is divided into four sections: the student is asked to write a 25-minute essay on a given topic, analyze 30 synonyms and 30 analogies (25 minutes), complete 50 math problems (25 minutes), and read 7 passages and answer questions about them (25 minutes).
The SSAT takes more than two hours and is given on selected Saturdays in November, December, January, February, March, April, and June at more than six hundred test locations around the United States. It is given in seventy-six other countries in November, January, and April. Students also have the opportunity to take the test year-round at some sites and in twelve urban areas that have Independent Test Centers. You can get a free copy of the SSAT Student Guide at SSATB, 12 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540 (800-442-SSAT) that includes a test registration form and all the details about where and when the tests are given. You can also request a copy of Preparing for the SSAT, which includes tests for student practice.
ISEE
The ISEE is divided into five sections. Students write an essay (30 minutes), work with 20 synonyms, complete 20 sentences (20 minutes), and work on two different sections that test their quantitative ability and achievement (35 minutes; 40 minutes).
Some schools use the ISEE, the Educational Records Bureau's Independent School Entrance Exam. It takes about three hours and is given to kids applying to grades 9 through 12 as a way to measure their aptitude and achievement in math and verbal areas. The ISEE also has multiple choice questions and a 30-minute essay. Although the essay is not scored with the rest of the test, it does give each school a chance to see how each applicant writes. The ISEE can also be taken at different schools across the United States. Write to the Educational Records Bureau, 345 E. 47th Street, New York, NY 10017 (800-989-3721) to receive a free guide with all the test details, including dates and locations.
PREPARING FOR THE TEST
Not unlike the SAT, which high school students take to apply for college, the SSAT is administered several times each year, so a student may take it more than once in an effort to improve his scores. One way to help boost your score is to familiarize yourself with the testing procedure by taking sample tests. These sample tests, which are available in test preparation books like Peterson's SSAT/ISEE Success, can be helpful to students, most of whom do not like standardized tests and are nervous that poor results might prevent them from getting accepted to a school they want to attend. Being familiar with the test's questions and suggestions for answering them will certainly reduce some anxiety.
Among the test-taking strategies that such books promote is the idea of not spending a lot of time on hard questions, but rather skipping them, and returning to them later if time remains. Each question has the same value, and you are not penalized for any unanswered questions. You do lose 1/4 point for each incorrect answer. Given that grading system, it is smart to only answer those questions for which you have a fairly good idea of the answer. Wild guessing when you cannot eliminate any of the five choices is not a good idea.
Another key skill for mastering the SSAT or the ISEE is amassing a powerful vocabulary. Even a cursory flip through the practice questions will reveal the advantages a strong reader will have. Being familiar with synonyms and understanding analogies will make the tests seem more manageable. To build your verbal skills, you should spend half an hour each day reading a book or newspaper that interests you. Beyond simply improving your reading skills, this practice will also introduce you to the joys of lifelong learning.
In addition to these strategies, there are other things you can do to improve your test performance:
1. Get a good night's sleep before the test. (Save the slumber party for the night after the test).
2. Locate your registration ticket, No. 2 pencils, and other required materials the night before.
3. Eat a nutritious breakfast (not potato chips and a candy bar).
4. Get good directions to the test site. (You do not need the extra stress of getting lost).
5. Get there early.
6. Dress comfortably and be prepared for a room that will be either too hot or too cold.
RETAKING A TEST
If you prepared for a test but received a low score, you may want to consider taking it again. Although some students with low scores do not improve their scores by retaking the test, others do. Being more familiar with the testing process (the location, etc.) and the test itself and taking the time to do a series of practice tests can make a tremendous difference to some students.
Your personal attitude toward this ''do it again and you'll do better'' scheme will make a real difference on how you perform. If you are really committed to improving your score, you will have a much greater chance of getting better results than if you approach the test with a negative mindset. Doing practice exercises to keep your skills sharp will give you another important advantage over other re-takers.
|
