Interview: Taking Standardized Tests

More from interviews with students on taking standardized tests:

Lisa:

I’ll take the SAT and the ACT. I did better on the ACT than I did on the SAT. I don’t really know why but I did better accommodation wise on those tests. I didn’t even know you could get accommodations on those kind of exams, nobody told me, and I guess I just never really took the time and figured it out on my own. But that’s definitely important if you’re planning on going to college and you’re gonna take those exams. Make sure if you are qualified for the accommodations that you get those and that it helps you on your exams … because those exams are pretty important for when you apply.

Andrea:

I’ve not always performed as well on standardized tests so it was really, really critical for me to have accommodations and even with those accommodations I found them to be very anxiety provoking experiences, so I had to take them more than once to just kind of tweak out … how to best take those exams. They were not easy for me. But I did have accommodations, I had … I had extra time and I was able to take breaks when I needed to, and I had a scribe, so I had quite a few and they were tremendously helpful - the only way I could have gotten through.

Maria:

On the SAT test, I definitely used my accommodations. I got time and a half testing for the SAT, and with that I think I got an extra break during the SAT because it’s so long anyway. I started at the same time as the other students, but I was in a room with other people with a learning disability or other forms of disabilities, and we just got an extra break I think, so our testing went a little longer.

Andrea:

It’s similar to when you need accommodations for college, you have to have letters from your doctors stating that it’s required, so you need like a formal documentation. And then you sent it to, if you contact the SAT office or the GRE office, they have a special section for people with disabilities, so basically you just ask to speak to them and then they’ll tell you what the process is.

Taking Admissions Tests

Tests are part of the process

Many four-year colleges and universities require standardized test scores as part of the admissions process. These scores are designed to supplement the information provided by your grade point average, high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, reference letters and personal essay. It is important to check the admissions requirements of universities, colleges and community colleges to determine what, if any, admissions tests are required. Keep in mind, many community colleges do not require the SAT or ACT for admission.

The most common admissions tests include the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT test. Both tests are timed and average about four hours, including breaks. A fee is required to register for each test.

Sitting through the SAT

The SAT is designed to measure critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and writing skills that students need to complete college-level work. It consists of three major sections: critical reading, mathematics and writing. Each section has a potential of 800 points. The test consists of multiple-choice questions, a written essay and math questions.

The art of taking the ACT

The ACT test is a general education college entrance exam that is based on what is taught in high school. It covers four areas: English, math, science and reading. The test is given in a multiple-choice format, with a score of 1-36 possible for each area, and an overall composite score is given. The optional 30-minute writing test requires students to plan and write a short essay.

Which test is best for you?

It is important to talk with your teachers, guidance counselors and other students about which test may be best for you to take. Some students may feel more comfortable taking a test based on what they were taught in high school (ACT) vs. skills they will need in college (SAT). You can also try out some practice test questions as each standardized test comes with practice test questions on their Web sites. Guidance counselors can assist you in registering for the test. It is also recommended that you take the SAT or ACT in your junior year, so you have the option to retake the test if a higher score is desired.

Start preparing

In the fall of your junior year, you may take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) which helps you to prepare for the SAT. By taking this practice test, you also have a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship programs. The PLAN is a practice test to prepare students for the ACT, which can be taken by 10th-graders. For more information visit the ACT Web site.

These practice tests will give you feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on the skills necessary for college study. This information will help you target specific areas on which to focus, study or practice. You can also see how your scores compare with others applying for college and the type of questions and specific directions to expect on the tests.

If you typically do not do well on standardized test, consider taking a preparation class or workshop in your area to improve your test-taking skills. Check out the ACT and SAT Web sites for additional preparation materials as well.

Letters of recommendation

Getting letters of recommendation requires some thought. It is best to ask adults who know you well and with whom you have had a positive experience to write a letter of recommendation. It can be someone from your school (i.e., a teacher, a guidance counselor, a sports coach or a teacher who oversees an after school club). Or it could be adults who you know well that are in your community (i.e., a neighbor you have assisted, an employer or a scout leader). You need to make sure that individuals writing a letter of recommendation know if you want them to include in their letter that you have a disability. Again, this decision is a personal one and if you decide that information about your disability can be included, the information needs to help demonstrate what you have accomplished.

The process of requesting letters of recommendation has some unwritten rules and expectations:

* Always ask individuals if they would be willing to give you a positive letter of recommendation to a specific college.
* Ask individuals well in advance of your application deadlines (at least two weeks, or if you are asking a teacher or guidance counselor, check with them about how long they need to get a letter ready for you).
* Gather all of the information the individual will need and give it to the person at one time — such as a stamped, addressed envelope; the recommendation form or information requested by the college; the program you are interested in studying; and also a summary paragraph of your activities related to this individual to refresh their memory or a sample paragraph of qualities or traits that you feel you exhibit.
* Send your references a short thank-you note for their time and thoughtful consideration.

Online Resources - Selecting and Applying

Selecting and Applying to Colleges

College View
http://www.collegeview.com/

CollegeLink
http://www.collegelink.com/

CollegeXpress
http://www.collegeexpress.com/

U.S. Universities and Community Colleges Page
http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

Go College
http://www.gocollege.com/

Community Colleges Web Search
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/cc

My College Guide
http://www.mycollegeguide.org/

What to Do about Senioritis - Again

How to Get Excited About Finishing Again

Try Out College Early

If your child is interested in pursuing a subject further, and has excelled at her high school classes so far, she should consider taking a class at a local college. This challenge can help her avoid sliding into an academic slump, and stimulate her interest in the possibilities of college.

Another option in many areas is middle college or early college high schools. These schools, normally located on community and four-year college campuses, allow students to spend their last two years taking classes in both college and high school. Early exposure to college classes introduces students to the rigor of college work while easing their transition from high school.

Explore All the Options

Your child's continued commitment to challenge herself and grow will help her to maintain momentum, and make smart decisions about her future. Your child should discuss all her education options with her counselor to create a plan that puts her on the right track for success—throughout her high school years and beyond.

Graduate Program Transfer Question

Here is a question from one of my readers...

Question: Is it possible to transfer from one college or university to another without starting my program over?

Answer: It is quite common for students to transfer from one school to another at the undergraduate level. In fact, some schools (many 2-year colleges) are designed to be transfer schools and offer only the first two years of undergraduate study. Their graduates often go on to do the last two years of a bachelor’s degree at another school.

The situation regarding graduate programs is more complicated due to the nature of graduate education. It is sometimes possible to transfer to another university after beginning a graduate program in the U.S. The policies, however, will vary by individual school; therefore, it is important that you inquire of the university where you plan to transfer as to exactly what courses they will accept for transfer. You should make sure to inquire about the general transfer policy as well as the specific policy which pertains to the school from which you will be transferring. It is likely that some of your previous graduate credit will not be accepted. You should choose the school you are transferring to carefully, and you should probably discuss this with your current graduate advisor.

College Transfer, In Reverse

This is something interesting about transfers…

Research by Sara Goldrick-Rab and Fabian T. Pfeffer (Sociology of Education, April 2009) using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study indicates that approximately one third of traditional-aged college students transfer from one college to another within eight years of high school graduation. Only 6 percent transfer from community colleges to four-year colleges, while 15 percent will “reverse transfer” from four-year colleges to community colleges. According to the authors, reverse transfers are more likely among students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you are properly prepared and you’ve planned out what you want this is less likely to occur.

Transitioning from a Community College to a Four-Year School

If you want to start out at a community college (or are already enrolled in one) and then transfer to a four-year school, make sure you have a plan. If you try to make the switch without mapping out your steps, then your transition will be harder. Here are the steps you should take to transition from a community college to a four-year school.

Make a list. Come up with a list of objectives to help you determine the right path for you. Think about where you see yourself in five or ten years. Here are some questions to consider:
• What career would you like to pursue?
• What academic preparation is required to enter this career field?
• Which four-year institution has a good academic program for your field of interest?
• What are some of the characteristics you are looking for in a four-year school?

Choose a transfer school. The earlier you can select a four-year institution to attend, the better off you will be. Universities and colleges differ widely in the courses they accept for transfer. By choosing a transfer school as early as possible, you will save a lot of time and effort because you will know in advance which courses will transfer to your selected school. When choosing a transfer school, check to see which schools have articulation agreements. Articulation agreements provide specific transfer policies that make it easier to transfer from one school to another. Be sure to visit schools and take virtual tours of campuses to help you pick a four-year school.

Meet with transfer advisors. Because not all universities and colleges accept the same courses for transfer, it is critical that you work with a transfer advisor at your community college as well as one at the school to which you want to transfer. These advisors will help you map out courses to meet graduation requirements at your community college and transfer requirements for your chosen four-year institution.

Focus on academics and extracurricular activities. Most community colleges operate under an "open admissions" policy, which means that anyone with a high school diploma or GED may attend, regardless of prior academic performance and extracurricular involvement. However, to be accepted into your four-year school of choice, you need to stay focused on academics, achievements, and extracurricular activities. Keep your grades up and become involved in your community. Your transfer school wants well-rounded students.

Research financial aid options. Four-year institutions are more expensive than community colleges, so be sure to look into your financial aid options. Look for scholarships by performing a free scholarship search (never pay for that service). You should also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for state, federal, and institutional aid. Even if you don't think you'll qualify for need-based financial aid, you should still complete the FAFSA to be eligible for low-interest student loans. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible after January 1st of the year for which you are requesting aid.

For more specific information on transferring to a four-year school, contact your community college transfer advisor.

Pros and Cons of Community Colleges

If the idea of going to a four-year college or university seems a bit daunting, you may want to consider a community college. Take into account the following pros and cons of community colleges to help you make a decision.

Pros

Small class sizes – Because classes at community colleges are smaller, you would have the opportunity to interact more with your classmates than you would at a larger, four-year college or university. Small classes allow for small-group discussions where active participation and hands-on learning is encouraged. This may be beneficial to you if that kind of interaction helps you learn more information than if you were just listening to a lecture.

Interaction with professors – Since professors at community colleges have fewer students than those at larger colleges, they have more time to get to know each student individually. They will be more involved in helping you make the most of your college experience. Furthermore, small school courses are usually taught by the actual professor. This is in contrast to larger universities where classes are sometimes taught by teaching assistants.

Gives you time to try again – If you are unable to meet initial entrance standards required by the four-year school of your choice, a community college can give you a second chance. If your ultimate goal is to go to a four-year school, you can transfer after you have improved as a student. Going to a community college will give you the opportunity to improve your grade point average, score higher on standardized test scores, and have a broader knowledge of specific academic subjects. Once you have enhanced your academic record, you will have a better chance of being accepted at the four-year school of your choice.

Spend less money – Community colleges are cheaper than four-year colleges and universities. If you want to get a four-year degree, but you're not exactly sure what you want to major in, it may be beneficial for you to go to a community college for the first two years. That way you can take all of your core classes (just make sure they will transfer) and not spend as much money as you would if you went to a four-year school for all four years.

Cons

Smaller variety of courses/majors – Since community colleges are two-year schools, they don't offer the range of courses and majors that a four-year school offers. If you want to go to a school with a variety of classes and majors to choose from, a community college may not be your best option.

Miss experience of living on-campus – This may be a pro to some. Most community colleges do not offer the option of living on-campus. By not living on campus, you miss out on many college experiences such as sharing a dorm room and many living-on-campus conveniences such as rolling out of bed ten minutes before your class starts.

Not as socially involved – Because many community colleges do not offer as much when it comes to campus life, you may find it harder to be socially involved with fellow students. Community colleges offer less in terms of big sporting events and other social opportunities. If you want a college with an abundance of social activities, a community college may not be for you.

Difficulty transferring credits – If you decide to transfer from a community college to a four-year school, keep in mind that some credits may not be transferable. Sometimes when you transfer from a two-year school to a four-year school, you may be required to retake courses that you have already completed at the community college. This may delay your graduation date. Before you decide to attend a community college, you should find out what courses are transferable between your community college and the four-year school that you want to attend.

Before you make a decision about whether or not to attend a community college, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Just remember that in order for you to be content during your time in college, you need to pick the kind of school where you are most comfortable and the kind of school that is most conducive to your needs. Good luck!