Standardized tests

Since I have to administer standardized tests to Connor each year (per NYS dept. of Ed.) I decided to give him a practice SAT exam, just for yucks. Actually, I happened to be dropping off Xiao's letter of recommendation for college and saw the practice SAT packets there. I grabbed one on a whim, and since it was a snowy cold day decided to administer the practice test. I did administer it over two days because I have a hard time justifying 4 solid hours to one exam. The results were rather interesting. First of all, Connor was stunned to find out how many questions he got wrong. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; Connor needs to learn that there is a whole lot that he DOESN'T know. He often gets cocky and needs to be reminded that he's only ten. That said, however, when I actually went through all the steps to compute his grade (and it's a complicated formula, outlined like a 1040 tax form) we found out that he scored a 950 combined Math and Reading grade. That is as high as Austin scored last year (in 7th grade) and higher than what Katelyn scored as a senior. The writing section he scored a 470 (out of 800), but that section still isn't nationally normed yet and many colleges do not accept that score. Overall, it was a productive experiment. We are going to go through the booklet next week, and revisit all the questions that he got wrong. I feel that the test is pointless unless we actually use it to improve our teaching and learning. Onward we march. Next year, when I have to submit the end of the year test score, we might actually have him sit for the SAT exam, along with Austin. Austin is taking it for the second time this year, just for the practice. The grades are purged at the end of the year for younger students. Again, it's to get the kids comfortable with the exam.