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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On the ISEE, students are given 30 minutes to complete a writing assignment on a given question. Essays are ungraded, but they are sent to schools along with the ISEE score report. The ISEE writing sample provides valuable information to admissions staff, who use it to gain further insight into the character, personality, and writing ability of prospective students.
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Did you know there are over 300 boarding schools in the US? In fact, over 25 are scattered throughout California alone. Today’s boarding schools exude a college campus atmosphere that welcomes students from all over the world to study and learn in a supportive environment. Given the nature of dorm life, the boarding experience provides opportunities simply not available at public or day schools. These are dynamic, student-centered communities that encourage and celebrate holistic student growth and development.
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The Test Innovators Video Course provides videos and resources that focus on both strategies and content to help you reach your testing goals. Consider these methods to making use of the Video Course:
1. Start with the videos on Test-taking Strategies. This chapter includes all of the videos that will help you on each section of the test, including time management and multiple choice strategies. Watching these videos first will give you the foundation to succeed on every section.
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Time management is one of the keys to success on the ISEE/SSAT. Attempting timed sections can be less daunting with our simple time management strategy:
Answer Easy Questions First
The first time you go through a section, answer the easy questions: all the questions that you feel confident about answering. Skip difficult questions, flagging or making a note of them. In general, if a question takes longer than a minute to answer, consider skipping it.
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The Prep Plan is one of the best places to see the targeted practice exercises you should be working on. You can access the Prep Plan by clicking on the tab on your Dashboard. Here are some insights into using the Prep Plan to help you succeed:
- After you complete a section of the test, the system will automatically recommend practice exercises for you to complete, based on your wrong answers. These recommendations will change and be added to, based on each new section you complete.
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One of the integral features of the Test Innovators preparation platform is the system of Practice Exercises, which is located on the “Practice Exercises” tab of the dashboard. The Practice Exercises are an important supplement to the full-length Practice Tests. Here are a few tips for maximizing the Practice Exercises:
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