Accolade tutors are experienced, serious instructors in the areas of test preparation including ACT, SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject tests, SAT, CRCT, EOCT, GHSGT, GED, and GACE. Our program teaches test-taking strategies specific to each test and helps students to improve their academic skills. This leads to higher scores and better placement in school. Take advantage of all Accolade has to offer and give your student the competive edge they need to help them advance in school, gain admittance to the colleges of their choice, and reach their goals.
Questions on Standardized Testing
It is important to understand how the test the student will be taking is scored and timed, and what skills and information will be required of them. For information on many of the tests Accolade tutors for, refer to below.
The SAT and ACT
While the SAT and ACT are very different tests, they both fulfill the same role in the college admissions process. The SAT and ACT are designed to predict academic achievement in college and provide a common yardstick to use in comparing students from a wide range of educational backgrounds.
Traditionally, the SAT has been the test of choice on the east and west coasts and the ACT was required by colleges in the mid-west. Now, however, an increasing number of students are taking the ACT, and the majority of schools in the United States accept both SAT and ACT test results. Students may choose to take one or both tests, depending on their strengths and the admissions criteria for the colleges of their choice.
The SAT Reasoning Test and Subject Tests
The SAT is administered in two forms:
(a) SAT Reasoning Test
(b) SAT Subject Tests
The SAT Reasoning Test (generally referred to as just the SAT) is an aptitude test that focuses on critical reading, math and writing. Although all three sections of the test count for the same number of points, most institutions of higher learning give more precedence to the critical reasoning and mathematics portions. They typically treat the writing section as they would an SAT subject test, with secondary importance used as a tool to further differentiate between students.
The SAT Subject Tests are achievement tests concerned with the extent of knowledge of the student in a particular subject area and how well they can apply this information. One or more of these tests are generally required in addition to the SAT Reasoning test by colleges and universities with more stringent selection criteria including ivy-league schools. The subject tests are administered in five different areas:
(a) English-Literature
(b) History and Social Studies: U.S. History, World History
(c) Mathematics - Math Level I, Math Level II
(d) Science - Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
(e) Modern Languages: Chinese with listening, French, French with Listening, German, German with Listening, Spanish, Spanish with Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese with Listening and Korean with Listening
Changes in the SAT
As of March, 2005, several changes were made to the SAT. The new SAT no longer contains quantitative comparison (QCs) on the math section. Nor does it contain analogies on the critical reading section, which was formerly called the verbal section. The new SAT also contains a writing section composed of a written essay and a multiple-choice part. The math has been modified to include subjects covered in the first three years of high school.
The ACT (American College Test)
The ACT is a curriculum-based test that measures a student's academic achievement in four areas: English, math, reading and science. There is an optional writing section.
Is the SAT or ACT right for you?
The ACT is often described as a content-based test, where as the SAT tends to emphasize critical thinking and problem solving. There is some overlap, however, as many questions on the ACT test critical thinking, and there is a predictable range of material on the SAT. These tests reward different attributes, however, so students should choose wisely depending on their academic strengths, test-taking ability, and target schools' requirements and preferences. They should also consider familiarity and customary practice in their target school areas as this may weigh into admission officers' selections.
Before deciding which test(s) to take, it is necessary to consult students' target schools. High school counselors can also assist in making this determination. It is a good idea to take sample tests of both the SAT and ACT and compare the results to see which test may benefit the student most. Be sure that the sample tests cover all sections of both tests.
How is the SAT and ACT different?
The ACT is more straightforward than the SAT, which can benefit students who are not naturally good test-takers. However, the ACT covers a wider range of subjects than the SAT and it also poses more of a time constraint for most students. The SAT, on the other hand, challenges students' abilities to "think outside of the box" and interpret and apply information in new and different ways. It focuses on verbal skills, writing, and mathematics. Here are some notable differences between the ACT and SAT.
- The ACT includes a science reasoning test; the SAT does not.
- The ACT math section includes trigonometry; the SAT does not.
- The SAT tests vocabulary more than does the ACT.
- The ACT tests English grammar; the SAT does not except for in the writing section.
- The SAT format contains multiple-choice, essay, and a graphing section. The ACT is all multiple-choice.
- Math accounts for 50% of the students' scores on the SAT, but only 25% on the ACT.
- The SAT has a guessing penalty on multiple-choice questions; the ACT does not.
- The SAT has an experimental section; the ACT does not.
Find out which test is right for you. Compare the SAT to the ACT.
The SSAT
The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is administered to students in grades 5-11 to help determine placement into independent or private middle schools and high schools. It consists of two parts: a brief essay and a multiple-choice test that assess students in the areas of mathematics, reading comprehension, and verbaskills. Altogether, there are five sections of the test. The SSAT is not related to the SAT and is not administered by the College Board. The test is provided at two levels:
- Lower Level (Grades 5-7)
- Upper Level (Grades 8-11)
Test Format
The test is divided into five sections, shown below, including two for the math. Students are allotted 25 minutes for the writing sample, 40 minutes for the reading section, and 30 minutes for each of the remaining sections. All questions on the SSAT count for the same number of points. The test is scored based on the number of questions answered correctly minus one-quarter of a point for each question answered incorrectly. Like the SAT, questions may be left unanswered and do not incur a guessing penalty. No points are deducted for blank answers.
- Writing Sample (25 min.); Includes one topic statement which you will be asked to support or argue, using specific examples from personal experience, current events, history or literature. This portion is not scored by SSAT and a copy of the writing sample is not included with the report sent to students.
- Quantitative (Math) (60 min.); Consists of two sections of 25 questions each. Contains basic computations including some algebra.
- Verbal (30 min.); Consists of 30 synonym and 30 analogy questions.
- Reading Comprehension (40 min.); Includes 40 questions based on about 7 reading passages.
The CRCT
The Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) is designed to measure student achievement in the core areas of the Georgia curriculum for grades one through eight. The test references Georgia's learning standards for each grade level as defined in the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS), the state's newest learning standards, and the Quality Core Curriculum (QCC), Georgia's older standards that are still in effect while the state revises its standards. The assessments yield results for achievement at the student, class, school, system, and state levels. This information is used to diagnose individual strengths and weaknesses relative to the state standards and to gauge the quality of education throughout Georgia.
What Subjects Are Tested?
Students in grades one through eight take the CRCT in the areas of reading, English/language arts, and mathematics. Students in grades 3-8 are also assessed in science and social studies
What is considered a passing score?
The CRCT item format is multiple-choice. Based on performance, students are classified as to whether they meet, do not meet, or exceed academic requirements. As Georgia continues to revise their learning standards, transcending the QCC to the GPS, assessments may be rated differently depending on which set of learning standards they are correlated to. In general, the following scoring system exists for tests based on each learning standard criteria. They are as follows:
For GPS based assessments:
- Level 1 - scores below 800 - Does Not Meet Standard
- Level 2 - scores from 800 to 849 - Meets Standard
- Level 3 - scores at or above 850 (950 maximum) - Exceeds Standard
For QCC based assessments:
- Level 1 - scores below 300 - Does Not Meet Standard
- Level 2 - scores from 300 to 349 - Meets Standard
- Level 3 - scores at or above 350 (450 maximum) - Exceeds Standard
When was the CRCT implemented?
The CRCT was first issued in the spring of 2000. That year, summative, end-of-year assessments in reading, English/language arts, and mathematics were administered in grades four, six, and eight. Assessments in science and social studies (grades 3-8) were also administered starting in the spring of 2002. Assessments in reading, English/language arts, and mathematics were administered in grades 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 starting the same year.
The EOCT
The end-of-course tests (EOCT) is a series of state-mandated tests that are administered in core subject areas for grades 9-12 in the state of Georgia. Students must pass these tests to receive credit for their courses and graduate high school. The series of tests consists of assessments in the following areas:
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- United States History
- Economics/Business/Free Enterprise
- Science
- English Language Arts
- Ninth Grade Literature and Composition
- American Literature and Composition
The GHSGT
All students seeking a Georgia high school diploma must pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) in four content areas along with the Georgia High School Writing assessment. The areas tested include English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The purpose of these assessments is to ensure that the diploma candidate has mastered core academic skills and knowledge according to Georgia's learning standards. The English Language Arts and Mathematics high school graduation tests are used to measure Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Students with disabilities and English Language Learners may receive appropriate accommodations based on their needs and the specifications of their Individualized Education Program (IEP), their Accommodation Plan, or their ELL Testing Participation Committee Plan.
When do students take the GHSGT?
Students take the graduation test beginning their junior year. The Writing Assessment takes place in the fall, and the other content area tests are given in the spring of this year.
Assessment Opportunities
Students who do not pass on the first attempt have multiple opportunities to prepare for and retake the tests before and even after the spring of their senior year. Students who do not pass all of the required tests but who have met all other graduation requirements may be eligible for a Certificate of Performance or a Special Education Certificate. These students may return as often as necessary at a later date to attempt any needed test(s) again and qualify for a high school diploma.
Qualifying GHSGT Scores
Scaled scores range from 400 to 600 on the GHSGT. The four core subject tests are rated as fail, pass, or pass plus. Students must obtain the following scores to pass each of the four main contest area examinations:
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English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies |
500*
500
500*
500 |
538*
535
531*
526 |
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