Neal Kamsler has worked in New York City independent schools for 35 years, including 21 years as Head of Upper School at Allen-Stevenson School. He also serves as Senior Director of Placement at Oliver Scholars, an educational access organization based in Manhattan. Test Innovators' CEO, Edan Shahar, sits down with Neal to discuss independent school admissions: choosing the right school for your child, misconceptions about boarding school, and how admissions departments decide who to accept.
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You have the big test coming up next month, and every time you sit down to study you get nervous. So nervous, in fact, that it’s hard to focus on the material. It’s just so overwhelming! While a little stress actually helps you perform better, too much anxiety surrounding test prep isn’t helpful for anyone.
Here are a few foolproof methods to help alleviate stress during the test prep process. Reduce anxiety and tackle this challenge head-on. You got this!
1. Have a plan for your practice.
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So you’ve taken an initial ISEE practice test, and when you get your score back you’re not really sure what it means.
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Pam Lauritzen is the Director of Enrollment Management at Bertschi School in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Two hundred and forty Pre-K through 5th-grade students attend this 42-year-old community-centered school where curriculum integrates core academics with art, technology, science, dance, music and drama. Students learn across disciplines through an education grounded in the unique talents within each child.
Bertschi and Test Prep
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Even when you plan ahead and have every detail for test day accounted for, things can go wrong.
You went to bed early, but couldn’t sleep.
You ate a good breakfast, but your stomach is upset.
You got sick and woke up with a stuffy nose.
Students learn best when they absorb information in multiple ways! Have your child take a break from screens and engage their senses by integrating podcasts into their daily routine. The following podcasts are fantastic opportunities to get your child thinking about ideas and topics that can increase their knowledge base and thinking skills!
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Just as with any game or sport, knowing the rules of a standardized test is a cornerstone of success. Students who go into a test without any kind of preparation are at a significant disadvantage: they'll be figuring out those rules as the clock ticks. That's why Eastside Catholic School wants its applicants to gain experience with the test before they take the test.
Even though the ISEE and SSAT are long tests, the time can fly by! Maybe you struggle with running out of time on the test, or maybe you feel the pressure of the clock and rush through. Either way, here a few simple tips to help yourself manage your time on the test.
1. Don’t spend the same amount of time on every question
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It’s test day! After all of your preparation and practice, you’re finally here—your hard work is about to pay off.
But, you don’t want to make an easily-preventable error on test day. Here’s a list of common mistakes that you should be sure to avoid:
1. Forgetting your supplies
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A recent report commissioned by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) noted that 91% of boarding school students felt academically challenged, compared to 70% of private day school students and 50% of public school students. The same study found that 87% of boarding school graduates felt very well prepared academically for college, while the 71% of private day school students and 39% of public school students said the same thing.
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