A Closer Look at College Entrance Exams

Daniel Morizino takes issue with the SAT. "The shortcomings of the SAT feed into the larger dysfunctions of standardized testing and its role in the college admissions process. (full article here)"

What do you think? Is the SAT hopelessly flawed? Is it necessary? Is it great?

Variability in standardized test preparation proctoring

This NY Times article looks at the proctors who actually administer standardized tests for ETS. If you or your student cannot remember what the proctor did during a test, then you know you probably had a good one. If you can remember that they were on their cell phone the whole time, then you probably had a poor one.

ETS Shaves a Week Off the PraxisTM Score Reporting Time

PRINCETON, NJ--(Marketwire - October 8, 2009) - Test takers and universities waiting for Praxis™ test results from the July 13 administration were pleased to receive their scores for Praxis paper-based, multiple-choice tests much faster than they might have expected. The Praxis program has reduced the time taken to report Praxis scores from 22 business days to 17 business days. (read full release here)

Where the AP Gods Left Off

We saw this article in the Daily Colonial and thought it was pertinent for those Miami students prepping for standardized tests.

"As many of you seniors might know, standardized tests may just have been invented by the devil himself in order to highlight just how advanced our individual cases of senioritis are. Mine appears to be terminal." (read complete article here)

College Board to Delay New Exam for Middle Schoolers

The New York Times reported that the College Board would be delaying its new test designed fro 8th graders due to financial issues. South Florida students probably have enough on their hands between the SAT, the ACT and the FCAT.

Medication Improves Test Results for Kids with A.D.H.D.

Drug therapy is effective for kids with A.D.H.D., and is linked with higher test scores on standardized tests. The NY Times reported the results of a recent study that lends clinical support to what some parents already know. Proper medication can lead to symptom reduction in kids with A.D.H.D. and consequently improve test scores.

Tara Parker-Pope wrote in the Times:
“Children with attention deficit problems make bigger academic gains if they are taking stimulant medications compared to similar kids who aren’t receiving drug therapy, a new study shows. (click for full article)”