Students Take PSAT, SAT Tests April 5
Students Take PSAT, SAT Tests April 5
This year, for the first time, Red Clay eighth grade students will join ninth and tenth graders in taking the PSAT test to be given during school on April 5, 2017. Also on that day, high school juniors will take the SAT exam.
Red Clay is committed to helping all students prepare for success in college and careers. The PSAT and SAT tests are given to students free of charge, the State paying for the tenth grade test and Red Clay supporting eighth and ninth grade testing. Giving eighth grade students the opportunity to take the PSAT provides educators with a baseline of college and career readiness and detailed information about what to work on in the coming years said Sam Golder, Director of Secondary School Operations.
The PSAT tests skills in reading, writing and math and is administered by the College Board. Approximately 3.5 million students take the PSAT each year and many consider it a starting point on the college admissions journey.
Used for admission to most college and university undergraduate programs, the SAT measures skills and knowledge students need to be ready for college and beyond. It is a test of verbal and quantitative reasoning and was redesigned in 2016 to better reflect what students learn in class.
The Reading Test focuses on words in context and questions similar to those asked in an evidence-based discussion while the Writing and Language Test requires students to edit and improve written passages. The SAT Math Test places an emphasis on problem solving and modeling students will do in college math, science and social science courses, jobs and their personal life. Although the Essay is optional some schools require it. The prompt asks students to explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience.
High school juniors will use the SAT as their state test. Prior to taking the SAT, Red Clay 10th grade students take a SAT course in school. A partnership between the College Board and Khan Academy allows students to have access to free online practice questions and full length tests. Added practice has made a difference; Red Clay has been and continues to be number one in the state for average SAT scores.
March 15, 2017