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Guidance Counselor: Student Testing

Test Your Knowledge

by Cindy Weaver

November 21, 2005

STUDENT TESTING

 

ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL

Illinois Standards Achievement Test(ISAT)
         The ISAT is administered to all Illinois students in the spring. Grades 3, 5, and 8 take tests in reading, mathematics, and writing. Grades 4 and 7 test science and social studies along with fine arts and health/physical development. Information on Illinois Learning Standards can be found at www.isbe.net/ils/Default.htm and you can read more about the Illinois Standards Achievement Test at www.isbe.net/assessment/isat.htm. 

Scholastic Testing Service (STS)
         The STS Illinois Standards-Based Assessment Program administered in the fall. Results are used to help in current year educational planning for the district as a whole.  STS is used for grades one through four at the elementary, at the middle school for any levels not being assessed with state tests in any given year, and at the tenth grade at the high school . The tests are aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards so give results related to student progress toward those goals. Students are assessed in language arts, mathematics, science, social science, physical development/health, and fine arts. A brief summary of STS can be found on the web at www.ststesting.com/illinois.html.

EXPLORE
      This test, given to eighth graders in the fall, is the first installment of the Educational Planning and Assessment System which also features PLAN for 10th graders and the ACT as part of required testing for eleventh graders. It combines tests in core academic areas of English, reading, science, and mathematics with a career inventory and self-assessment of needed instructional support. Results will be available for use in developing four-year high school course plans as well as providing early identification of possible career interest areas. For more information, contact your middle school counselor or to go the website at www.act.org/explore/index.html.
 

HIGH SCHOOL

PSAE - Prairie State Achievement Exam
          All Juniors in public high schools in the state of Illinois will be required to take the PSAE over two days in April. The ACT will be given in its entirety on the first day. On the second day students will take state developed tests in writing,  science, and social science along with the Work Keys math and reading test. To learn about Work Keys, go to
http://www.act.org/workkeys/ For more information on the PSAE, go to http://www.isbe.net/assessment/psae.htm
For PSAE test components and score reports, click here.

PLAN
           This test for 10th graders provides practice on the format of the ACT, info on academic development, and gives feedback on career/training options. For more information, go to http://www.act.org/plan/index.html.

ACT
           Students planning on going to a four year college or university should take this test for admission purposes. The best time is spring of the Junior year, and the PSAE now provides this opportunity. Some students elect to take the ACT prior to the PSAE testing to improve their scores. The Guidance Office has registration packets and regularly posts test dates for those students wishing to test at sometime other than the PSAE. For more information, go to   http://www.act.org/aap/index.html.  For free on-line practice test items, go to http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index.html.  You can also BUY practice tests at www.act.org.

PSAT/NMSQT
           This test measures verbal reasoning, math problem solving, and reading and writing skills. This test is offered each October. Taking the test automatically qualifies a student for the National Merit Scholarships Corporation's Monetary Award Program. There is a fee. Sign up will be in the guidance office in the weeks before the test date. For more
information, go to http://www.collegeboard.com/.

SAT I: Reasoning Test
           This test is used by some highly selective colleges as their basic admissions entrance exam. The Guidance Office has practice materials and registration packets available. The test dates are listed and additional information available at
http://www.collegeboard.com/.

SAT II: Subject Test
           This selection of one hour exams tests a student's subject matter knowledge.  The Guidance Office has registration packets available. The test dates are listed at http://www.collegeboard.com/.

Consumer Ed Proficiency Test
           This free test of a student's knowledge of Consumer Economics is offered every October and January. A student may take the test only once a year. A passing score exempts the student from the Consumer Ed requirement for graduation (a semester-long course).  Sign-up will be in the Guidance Office prior to the test. Sample questions will be available. 

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