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Test Information |
Many colleges and universities require that you take
standardized examinations. These links provide
you with information about the standardized examinations.
Your nomination to the Ventures Scholars Program was
partially based on your standardized test score. Similarly,
many colleges and universities will review your SAT
or ACT scores as part of their entrance requirements.
Make sure you appropriately prepare for these examinations.
Do not wait until a week before the examination. This
site links you to some Web sites that provide you with
sample examinations and helpful resources.
- SAT vs. ACT
This section will provide articles and resources that
demonstrate the similarities and differences between
the two most popular standardized test, as well as
access a handy chart for score comparison.
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Overcoming Test Anxiety and Preparing for Standardized Examinations
This section will allow you to review your test-taking skills,
as well as overcome any reservations you may have about exams. It is
very common for students to feel anxious before exam day. Read the Test
Anxiety section below to browse sites that provide students with advice
and tips on overcoming test anxiety.
If you are preparing to go to graduate or professional school,
take a moment to visit the
Undergraduate Resource Center to learn about the standardized
examinations you will need to take to pursue your intended career.
SAT vs. ACT
ACT–SAT Concordance
The ACT and SAT are different tests that measure similar but
distinct constructs. The ACT measures achievement related to high
school curricula, while the SAT measures general verbal and quantitative
reasoning.
ACT and the College Board have completed a concordance study that
is designed to examine the relationship between two scores on
the ACT and SAT. These concordance tables do not equate scores,
but rather provide a tool for finding comparable scores.
You can find the concordance tables and guidelines for proper
use at
ACT-SAT Concordance www.act.org/aap/concordance.
What's The Difference?
An article from the Education Life section of the New York Times provides
an interesting answer.
A parent and guidance counselor, the author explains the differences between
the two tests, as well as provide candid advice about test preparation.
"...College counselors say they see two groups of students,
with distinctly different approaches to learning, who may score markedly
higher on one test or the other."
SAT vs. ACT [pdf file]
A comparisons chart that describes the differences between the two most
popular college entrance exams.
OVERCOMING TEST ANXIETY
Math and Science Study Guides
Welcome to the exciting and satisfying world of conquering math anxiety and
success in math and science. If you are math anxious or you panic of tests,
this is the perfect site for you. In addition, this site provides effective
study skills for mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Please visit
Internet Study Skills Resources which provides tips based
on research, as well as years of counseling math and science students.
Avoiding Test Anxiety
Regardless of how well the student knows the material, once you have that
exam in front of you it's like your body goes through a sort of shock.
Students may begin to experience physical symptoms, such as:
- breaking out in a sweat, or feeling cold and sticky
- stomach irritations (gnawing feeling, queasiness, diarrhea, irritated bowel syndrome)
- fast or un-rythmitic heartbeat (palpitations))
- headaches, lightheadedness or feeling faint
- fatigue
These are all symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks. As a result, some
students may have difficulty remembering what they studied. These are all
symptoms of stress and performance anxiety.
Read
Study Habits & Test Anxiety from the University of Buffalo's Counseling
Services Department for tips on better study habits and decreased test anxiety.
The pressure of passing an exam can add a considerable amount of stress
to any student. According to American Psychological Association, nearly
half of Americans worry about their stress levels.
Anxiety is not a disease, however if avoided for too long it can develop
into a disorder or phobia. A person will begin to avoid any event or situation
that may cause them to panic or make them feel uncomfortable. There's nothing wrong
with feeling fear or anxiety as they are part of life. Feeling anxious before you
take a test or walk down a dark alley is a good thing, it indicates a measure
of alertness or carefulness which is a survival trait. Keep in mind that the
anxiety is mental and will go away as soon as you conquer the situation that caused it.
Know The Facts
- Test anxiety is something that some students will always suffer with.
-
False. Test anxiety happens to everyone at one time or another.
Students tend to only prepare themselves to pass the test but preparation is
needed for the event, as well.
Read How to Avoid Test Anxiety During an Exam by Study Techniques
for ways to handle nervousness during your exam.
- If I just avoid situations that make me anxious, I will be fine.
-
Avoiding the issue will only feed the anxiety. Anxiety stems from
fear, and the best way to conquer a fear is to face it. Educate yourself about
anxiety by visiting Teens Health website for detailed information on
What Is Test Anxiety?. You may also be interested finding
ways to manage your stress and adopt a calm and relaxed attitude so that you
can do better on tests.
Another great source is by Elizabeth Scott, M.S.,
You CAN Reduce Test Anxiety!
Prepare, Confront and Conquer Test Anxiety
Tips for better study habits and decreased test anxiety.
The environment in which you study can have a big effect on the efficiency
of your study time.
Managing Test Anxiety
Dos and Don'ts of Dealing with Test Anxiety
Thinking Straight About Your Test
Are you ready to overcome anxiety?
This handout is not designed for those "weaklings"
who can walk into a classroom, calmly sit down, and
ace a test. It is designed for those people who experience
great trauma when they hear the word "test"!
It's designed for those who are willing to take the
steps they need to take to overcome the fear of tests.
Some of the suggestions may be bizarre; but if it works,
it may be worth it. If you want to succeed, it is important
that you do what you must to get the grade you desire.
Understanding Test Anxiety
We are all nervous when we fail to prepare adequately
for something that is expected of us. Being a little
nervous is natural, and can even help us perform better
than normal, because our body releases chemicals that
can help us work faster, both physically and mentally.
However, some students develop an irrational fear of
tests even after adequate preparation. It is important
for students to understand the difference between moderate
anxiety and irrational fears that may result from test-taking.
STEP 1: Take the Stress Test
STEP 2: Be Optimistic
STEP 3: Keep Calm During Tests
Read more
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