5 Things I Bet You Didn't Know About the SAT

We thought it'd be fun to throw out a little SAT trivia as students get closer to the final two tests of the school year (5/7 & 6/4).  Here goes...

1.  An Army Brat
In its original form, the test (then known as the "Army Alpha") appeared in 1901 as an IQ test commissioned by the US Army.  It was first administered to college applicants in 1926.  By the end of the 1930s, the SAT was used as a scholarship test for all Ivy League schools.  
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2. Time's Up!
The original test required students to complete 315 questions in 97 minutes in the following areas: definitions, classification, artificial language, antonyms, analogies, logical inference, and paragraph reading, number series and arithmetical problems.  That's about 30 seconds per question.  Yikes! 
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3.  What's in a Name?
"SAT" initially stood for "Scholastic Achievement Test"; in 1941, the name was changed to "Scholastic Aptitude Test."  Today, its full name is "SAT Reasoning Test."  And guess, what?!  "SAT" doesn't stand for anything...it's just "SAT." 
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4.  Classified Information
Before 1958, only high schools and colleges were able to view students’ scores--not the students themselves. 
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5.  A Civil Right
In the early 1960s, College Board officials began visiting testing centers to make sure that all students were being tested under equal conditions. If a school district refused to desegregate, the test center was closed and the tests were given at a local military base. 
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Learn how to A-C-E the SAT at www.InnovativeTestPrep.com!

A 10-minute Solution for Test Anxiety?

There may be good news in store for those of you who can relate to the sweating, hurried breaths, blanking out and gnawing angst of test anxiety.  University of Chicago researchers found that students who spend 10 minutes before an exam writing about their thoughts and feelings can free up brainpower previously occupied by testing worries and do their best work.  If you have the time before an exam, I think that it's at least worth a try.   Check out the full article here.  To read more about what test anxiety is and other ways to overcome it, click here.

[Source: Education Week]
[Source:  Education.com]

SAT Subject Tests No Longer Required at University of California Schools

The University of California (UC) system recently changed its admissions requirements for students applying this fall and beyond.  One of the most notable changes is that students are no longer required to take two SAT Subject Tests--one-hour exams in various subjects (e.g., upper level math, literature, sciences, foreign language) that many competitive schools require as part of the admissions process. Students are, however, encouraged to submit their scores if they want to demonstrate mastery of a particular subject;  if they are applying  for a competitive major and their preferred campus recommends certain subject tests; or, if they want to use Subject Tests to satisfy "college-preparatory" course requirements.

Here's my take on it:  if you are applying to a competitive UC school, take the Subject Tests.  Even though they are not "technically" required and not everyone will fall into the "encouraged to take" category, many students vying for slots at places like Berkeley and UCLA still have to take the tests for other top-tier schools and will likely submit their scores to everyone (UC schools included).  Hey, I would (just saying:-).

The ABCs of Standardized Tests

With so many standardized tests and acronyms to remember, sometimes it can be difficult to keep up.  We've created this handy reference guide just in case you need a little help! For additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact IST.

ACT (originally "American College Testing," but now is simply known as "ACT"):
Category: College Admission
Summary:  Typically grades 11-12.  Subject-based exam designed to test student's knowledge of content in English, mathematics, reading and science.  Learn more here.

CTP 4/ERBs ("Comprehensive Test Program"; often referred to as "ERBs" after the company that produces it, the "Educational Records Bureau"):
Category:  Achievement
Summary:  Grades 1-10.  Battery of assessments designed to provide instructionally useful information about student performance in reading, listening, vocabulary, writing, mathematics, and verbal and quantitative reasoning.  Learn more here.

ECAA ("Early Childhood Admissions Assessment"):
Category:  Private School Admission
Summary:  Grades PreK-5.  Designed to assess student's current level of development, but not intended to predict long range success.  Learn more here.