High School Tests

So you’ve grown up a little bit and now you’re transitioning to the life of high school football games, getting your driver’s license, prom and the dreaded preparation for college. Seems so far away, right? Wrong. Most of, if not all, your high school years should be spent preparing yourself for higher learning. If you waste your time and GPA on being the most popular kid in school, you’ll find yourself without a university to call your own in four years.

The most obvious tests you’ll be taking in high school are college entrance exams including the PSAT, SAT, SAT II and ACT. Chances are if you’re planning on going to college, you’ll be taking either the ACT or SAT.

Advanced Placement exams are among the other major high school tests you might find yourself studying for. These tests are typically taken your junior or senior year in high school and are an attempt at earning college-level credit in particular subjects. If you plan on taking an AP test, which is highly recommended, you should first take some AP, or honors, classes. You want to try to earn as much college credit as possible before you get to college so that you can graduate on time if not earlier. Given in more than 30 subjects, AP tests are offered in May every year. See your guidance counselor if interested in taking these exams.

Statewide tests are required of high school students in most states, except for Iowa and Nebraska. They test students’ basic skill levels in mathematics, reading, English and other core subjects. Much importance is placed on test scores because these exams evaluate the teaching excellence of both school districts and their teachers, and some states even require passing scores to graduate from high school.

No need for panic, though; there are ways to help you prepare for these state tests. Many school districts offer school-wide prep programs, much like any other standardized test prep course. Find out if your school offers these programs by contacting your school office or guidance counselor today. If they don’t offer prep programs or if you just want more practice, private tutors are available as well as some books focusing just on your particular state’s testing system.

The frequency of statewide testing varies from state to state. Some states may require it once a year, while others may only require it every other year. Check with your school district.

Essays are required on some of these tests, and some high school students may not feel adequately prepared to be able to produce a well thought-out essay. If you feel you may need help in this area, the best idea is to train yourself to think critically and get writing critiques on practice samples. Contact a freelance proofreader today to ensure a high score on this portion of the exam.

Using THE SILENT TIMER™ when studying and taking practice tests for all of these exams will help you feel more comfortable when it comes to the actual test. You will have already figured out how many minutes per question you may spend, saving you time and stress. You also don’t want to be left scribbling answers to unanswered questions when the bell rings or time concludes for the test. Start improving your scores today by ordering THE SILENT TIMER™.