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Testing Strategies. Know Your Test. Test Differences. IOWA PSAT ACT SAT + More!. IOWA Tests. Given to elementary grades and grades 9-10. Provide great practice for test taking. Cover: reading, written expression, mathematics, science, social studies, vocabulary, and computation.
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Test Differences IOWA PSAT ACT SAT + More!
IOWA Tests • Given to elementary grades and grades 9-10. • Provide great practice for test taking. • Cover: reading, written expression, mathematics, science, social studies, vocabulary, and computation. • Scores help monitor your growth, determine college readiness, and measure your mastery of core standards.
PSAT Test • Known as the preliminary SAT • Also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test • Prepares you for taking the SAT by showing you areas you need to prepare in. • Provides a free score report and online study resources that are useful for ACT and SAT test preparation.
SAT Test • Popular on East and West coasts • Ten sections include: • Writing (a 25 minute essay) and multiple sections including multiple choice • Mathematics • Critical reading • Perfect score is 2400 • Includes no science test • Vocabulary driven • Don’t guess!
ACT Test • Popular in the Midwest • Composed of four sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) plus an optional writing test • Perfect score of 36 • Best to answer all questions even if you do not know the answer • Prepare by taking sample tests on ACT’s website
More Tests! • GRE: Graduate Record Exam • TOEFL: Test for International Students • MCAT: Medical College Admission Test • LSAT: Law School Admission Test • NCLEX: Test for Nursing Licenses • PRAXIS: Test for Teacher Certification • + More!!
Practicing for Tests • Practice for the test by: • Doing sample tests online (check the test websites for good sample tests) • Use practice books (ACT/SAT have published books) • Ask a teacher to tutor you in your weaker subjects • PLAN AHEAD!
Preparing for your Test • Practice with sample questions (usually on test websites) • Ask teachers for tutoring in areas in which you struggle • Get physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally ready with 8 basic principals
Basic Principles: • N: Nutrition • E: Exercise • W: Water • S: Sunlight • T: Temperance • A: Air • R: Rest • T: Trust in Divine Power • http://newstart.com/what-is-newstart1/#sthash.FQLLhTUV.dpbs
Signing Up for Tests • IOWA Tests: Schools automatically sign up their students • PSAT: Varies by school - talk to your administrator • ACT: 1) know your school test center code (ask your registrar), 2) sign up online at www.act.org • SAT: 1) sign up via paper application, 2) know your school test center code, 3) you will need a letter from clergy (or chaplain) stating that you need non-Saturday testing
Scores • Know what kind of test/scores are needed in order to get into the colleges you are interested in. • Scores are requested by colleges. • Scores may quality/disqualify you for scholarships. • If you have low scores (esp. SAT/ACT), consider re-taking the tests before college in order to raise your chance for scholarships.
Some tests have free resources for students. • ACT and SAT do free score reporting to colleges of your choice. • ACT offers an interest inventory that helps you understand what career areas might be good for you.
Your Testing Timeline • Freshman YearIOWA Test • Sophomore YearIOWA TestConsider taking the ACT early to have more time to increase test scores. • Junior YearPSAT - if offered at your schoolACT (plus additional retakes if you want to raise your score) • Senior YearACT retakesSAT retakes/subject tests (if needed to get into college)