Why are practice tests such a critical piece of preparation?
The American Psychological Association defines the ‘testing effect’ as the psychological finding that retention is more successful when taking a test than when restudying the same material for the equivalent amount of time. This phenomenon, also referred to as retrieval practice, indicates that practice tests are a more effective learning tool than purely reviewing the material. Research also shows that the more difficult the retrieval of information, the better it is for long-term memory and retention. So, if you are taking a difficult test like an admissions test, the best way to prepare is to take several practice tests. Between each practice test, it’s important to analyze your results and revisit the material you didn’t know. Learn more about the three steps of test preparation.
*Note: The first study on this concept was published in 1917, and since then there have been multiple follow-up studies on similar concepts, including a 2016 study that we discussed here.
Across our platform, students exhibit statistically significant increases in test percentile after every practice test. We see that our students don’t just improve by using our platform, but they improve consistently over time, further reinforcing that practice makes perfect. Students who use the Test Innovators platform see a 20% increase...
The team here at Test Innovators knows a thing or two about the anxiety surrounding testing. There are many different methods to relieving testing anxiety but we chose our top four favorites.
We are excited to introduce our 2020 Independent School Tuition Scholars! We selected four students with the greatest overall score improvement and three students with the greatest possible score improvement. Recipients were awarded $1,000 towards tuition at their new school.
Summer break offers a unique opportunity for students to get ahead on ISEE and SSAT prep without the pressure of a busy school schedule. With more time and flexibility, students can build confidence, strengthen core skills, and reduce stress ahead of admissions season.
Think of the last time you took a big test. What were you thinking about during the test? Did you feel good or bad during the exam? When thinking about the upcoming test, what are your thoughts and feelings about it? Have these thoughts and feelings motivated you to prepare...
It’s easy to get anxious before a big test. Even when you’ve studied, practiced, and done everything you can to prepare, you might still feel nervous when you sit down to take it. That’s normal. Your nerves mean this test is important to you.
At Test Innovators, a big part of...
Most students can tell you all about their favorite subject in school. Some kids love reading and writing stories, while others are enthralled by a perfectly puzzling math question.
These individual preferences can often correlate with a child’s success on certain ISEE sections, but it’s essential to thoroughly assess a student’s...
Over the past seven years, Test Innovators has helped more than 100,000 students prepare for the SSAT and the ISEE—the admissions tests required by the most competitive independent schools in the country. Every year we review our data from thousands of test-takers to determine the most popular schools. Below are...
We are excited to introduce Mohammed, one of our 2020 scholars. Mohammed’s hard work and determination allowed him to increase his SSAT score by 67 percentile points.
