Standardized Testing – College Counseling At a Glance

What is the PSAT?

The PSAT is a two-hour and ten-minute exam given each October to all St. Mark’s Fourth and Fifth Formers. It is a practice for the SAT Reasoning exam. For Fifth Formers, it is also used as the qualifying exam for the National Merit, Achievement, and Hispanic Scholar Programs. The PSAT scores do not, however, become part of a student’s permanent record, and colleges neither see the scores nor use them in the decision process. PSAT score results include an extensive diagnostic tool detailing individually suggested areas of improvement. This report can help you and your child assess relative strengths and weakness on these topics and help determine the best timing for the SAT Reasoning Test in the spring of the Fifth Form year.

What is the ACT and should my child take it?

The ACT is another college admission test that is accepted on equal terms to the SAT Reasoning Test and may be a testing option worth exploring for some students. The major differences between the ACT and SAT are content and format. The ACT is a four-part exam (English, Math, Science Reasoning and Reading), and is an achievement test rather than a test of reasoning. The ACT is scored in a 1-36 scale; there is a concordance table available to compare ACT scores to SAT Reasoning Test scores. More information, including a side-by-side comparison of the two exams, as well as a description, is available in the Standardized Testing Information link on the College Counseling website. It should be noted that in the past two to three years, the percentage of students choosing the SAT or ACT has grown to almost and even 50 – 50 split. College truly do not care which test a students takes.

Does St. Mark’s have a philosophy about when SAT or ACT tests should be taken, how many times should these tests be taken or whether every student take both exams?

These questions provide yet another opportunity for the “it depends” refrain because what is right or appropriate for one student may be completely wrong-headed for another. Testing is a truly individual part of the process.

Developing a comprehensive testing plan is one of the first topics we tackle when meeting with new fifth formers. We will work with the preliminary results we have at that point of the process to create a plan for which tests to take but also what the most advantageous time frame is for each student. We also coordinate with the Academic Deans office, the faculty, and individual advisors so that Third and Fourth Form students get the information they need. We will also address individual questions from any students or parents when they come up.

A few general guidelines on the questions follow:

• The best, most appropriate timing for a student to begin “real” SAT or ACT depends on a number of variables. The decision on the best timing should involve a conversation with a college counselor.

Our students have incredibly busy lives at St. Mark’s. We do not believe in creating serial testers – those who take a standardized test on every possible date. One does not get bonus points in the admission process for subjecting themselves to more bubble sheets or countless hours of test preparation.
• Just as with other aspects of the process, creating a plan is key and taking another shot “just because one can” in a kind of lottery approach is not in keeping with a thoughtful or purposeful process.
• A typical testing pattern is one to two times with either test in the Fifth Form and perhaps a third shot in the fall of Sixth Form.
• While it is certainly possible for a student to take both exams, “either or, but not both” defines our SAT vs. ACT approach. Again, being thoughtful is the key. Practicing with the PSAT and a practice ACT will give one the opportunity to compare results and test styles. That practice coupled with individual consideration and consultation with one’s counselor should enable each student to decide on the test that is better for him or her.
• Additional information on the SAT Reasoning and ACT test is included in the Standardized Testing Information link on the College Counseling website.

When should my child take SAT Subject exams?

SAT Subject Exams are achievement tests offered in specific subject areas required or recommended by many of the more competitive colleges. Our recommendation is that students take SAT Subject Exams at the close of the course in the highest level of the subject they will take at St. Mark’s. Typically, these exams are not taken until the Fifth Form with the exception of Biology or Chemistry and perhaps the World History exam after Third or Fourth From. We suggest students talk with their teachers and the college counseling office to determine if these “earlier” tests are appropriate. Additional information on SAT Subject Exams is included in the Standardized Testing Information link on the College Counseling website.

How do selective colleges use standardized test scores?

The reality is that the answer to this question differs depending upon the institution and what policies it has set. Most schools use test scores as a way of getting a total picture of a student and their potential success as a college student; scores alone rarely determine one’s admission in either direction by themselves. For larger, more “number-oriented” schools, test scores are critically important while other schools may place much more emphasis on a student’s transcript and or other more subjective data.

It is worth noting that at a growing number of schools, including many popular places among St. Mark’s students, standardized test scores have been eliminated as a factor in admissions. If you would like additional information on this trend (including a list of test optional or no test schools) see www.Fairtest.org.

What else can my child do to improve their test scores?

Research shows the most successful long-term preparation for success on standardized testing is as much varied reading as possible from early childhood on. In the short term, we advise first understanding what the different tests are and what is the appropriate time (if ever) to take each test. Further, we strongly urge students to take practice tests to increase confidence and general test awareness; the College Board and ACT have partnered with Khan Academy and Kaplan to provide test prep resources and also house much valuable information on preparation directly on their websites.

If you are interested in learning more about test preparation options available at or through St. Mark’s, we encourage you to open the link on our website labeled “Test Prep Options.”
Finally, we think it is critical to strongly caution against standardized test preparation done at the expense of the schoolwork. Just as grades are a more important factor in admission decisions, so too should classroom work take precedence over test preparation.