Testing

Preparing for testing: Here are some things for students and parents to keep in mind when preparing for tests. (provided by Harcourt Brace, makers of the Stanford tests)

Students:

• REST- Get a good night's sleep before a test.

• EAT- A good breakfast on the morning of a test is important.  Test-taking uses lots of energy.

• LISTEN - Listen carefully to the directions that are giving for the test and follow them exactly.  If the directions are not clear, ask the teacher to repeat them or to explain the directions again.

• TRY - Do your best.  Even if some parts of the test seem hard, keep trying and don't give up.

Parents:

• DISCUSS - Help your child understand that a test provides a chance to show what he/she knows about a subject and how the teacher can best help the child to learn.

• SUPPORT - See that your child maintains regular study habits, but don't ask for extra study time for the standardized, state mandated tests.  They cover more schoolwork than can be learned in a few extra hours.

• RELAX - Reassure your child about the test-taking experience.  Students who are calm and sure of themselves do better on a test.

2004   Mandated Testing Information   2004

DACS

The DACS test will be given to all 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 11th grade students in the spring of 2004. This test tests the achievement level of students in Math and Reading. Students in the other grades will be taking the SAT 10 (Stanford Achievement Tests).

 Stanford Tests
Stanford 10 -  Crow Creek will be giving the SAT 10 to all grades not taking the DACs test.

Stanford Written Assessment:   The state has mandated a writing test for the 5th and 9th grade students each fall.  This years test will be administered between September 30 and October 4th  The 5th grade writing will be a descriptive meaning the student will describe   . The 9th grade is will be persuasive, meaning stating and defending one's point of view.   In each instance, a prompt with the subject for the written assignment is given.

Career Planning Survey
Each year the 9th grade students participate in the state's mandated career assessment.  This assessment is administered each fall.  This instrument is utilized in the guidance for each student and their future planning.

ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is administered to all Junior each fall. 

Other testing information:

PSAT
The PSAT is the preliminary test for the SAT exams.  The PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.   This test is administered nationally on specified dates in October.   Nationally a Tuesday and Saturday are options. 

ACT
The ACT exam is the most widely utilized entrance exam for institutions of higher learning in our part of the country.  It is recommended that students take this exam during the spring of their Junior year.  Students can retake this test but must pay the registration fee with each test.  It is recommended that seniors have their ACT scores on file with the higher education institutions of their choice by the first of the year to facilitate processing of applications.  Packets for registration are available in the counselor's office.  You may apply on line at www.act.org

SAT
The College Board administers the SAT exams throughout the year.  These exams are required for entrance to higher education institutions in many parts of the country.  The exams include the standardized general format for the SAT I and the subject exams in the SAT II.  If a student is a National Merit Scholarship Qualifier, based upon their scores on their PSAT as a Junior, they are required to complete SAT I.  Students are responsible for the registration fees.  Registration forms are available in the counselor's office, or register online at www.collegeboard.com

Test Related Links
These links are primarily related to the college entrance exam preparation sites.

ACT: www.act.org ACT's site provides educational services to students and their parents, to high schools and colleges and to professional associations and government agencies.  Information for registration is also on line.

Peterson's Test Prep Center:  www.petersons.com/testprep/   This site offers free software to download for preparing for several exams.

College Board Online: www.collegeboard.com This site contains detailed information on  college-level examinations.

Kaplan Educational Centers: www1.kaplan.com This site provides extensive information on testing, including PSAT, SAT, ACT, and TOEFL.