testing Archives - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Oct 09 2017

When to take the SAT or ACT (specific advice from the parent of high scorers)

Many people think taking the SAT/ACT is a 12th grade thing. I remember that was my mindset when I was a high school senior, too.

If you get anything out of this article, it should be that waiting until 12th grade to take the SAT or ACT is a bad idea. In fact, since scores take a while to process, it can cause your student to miss an application deadline and ruin his/her chance of getting into the college. No joke.

If you get anything else out of this article, it should be that SATs and ACTs are not the kind of tests you wait until 12th grade to think about. Students who take these tests without practice and without experience may not do well. They might, but taking the tests multiple times often results in higher scores. Why take that chance?

It’s so much better to start planning early.

Success on the SAT / ACT means planning early…9th grade isn’t too soon.

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Time and Preparation

In my professional opinion, which matches the opinions of many other experts in this field, SAT and ACT test taking requires time and preparation. Preparation, when done right, that spans all four years of a high school education; and preparation, that if ignored, can harm a student’s chances of getting into college and receiving scholarships.

The purpose of this article is to give you a workable plan, one you can use to plan your student’s high school testing experience. It is based on my research, what I learned thru my own childrens’ successes, and what I’ve seen via the families I work with (comparing those who listened to this advice, and those who didn’t).

Are there other ways to plan SAT and ACT testing? Of course. But, if you’re looking for advice from a the parent of high scoring students (we’ve even had a “perfect” here and there), read on.

SAT/ACT planning. Advice from a parent of high scorers.

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The Plan:

Grade by Grade Recommendations

for SAT and/or ACT Testing

—————————————————————————————–

9th Grade

Research and preparedness

Begin conversations about college.
When in doubt if a student is college-bound, assume yes.
Learn the names of each test, the cost, the registration process, and browse test schedules.
Offer high school courses that target the specific subject areas covered on each test.
Begin researching colleges and universities, programs and careers, and requirements.
Involve student in every step (in later grades, this should be student-led).

10th Grade

PSAT in the fall

Actual test in the spring (optional)

Continue all 9th grade activities.
Register for fall PSAT at your local high school. Take it for learning and practice.
Target which test(s) to study for. Purchase study workbooks. Find sample tests online.
Start studying in the spring, a little every day or week throughout the rest of the school year.
Register for an actual test in the spring. Don’t send scores; use for learning and practice.
Plan for intense study over the summer.

11th Grade

PSAT in the fall

Test in the fall

Test in the spring

Test in late summer (optional)

Continue all 9th grade activities, paying special attention to strengthening areas of weakness.
Take PSAT in October (for National Merit eligibility and additional practice)
Purchase updated materials for newest test(s) as needed. Use only reputable materials.
Continue regular studying. Take practice tests (actual previous tests).
Use classes, workshops, tutors, or other help if necessary.
Decide which test (SAT or ACT or both) seems most appropriate for the student.
When looking at test-optional colleges, discuss the possible impact of skipping tests altogether.
Create online account with test provider(s). Explore college planning tools available there, too.
Decide if writing portion of test is necessary (check with colleges).
Decide if subject tests are needed (check with colleges).
Test in fall
Unless a perfect score in fall, test again in spring.
Plan summer test if necessary.
Send best spring (or summer) scores to colleges of choice.
Continue intense studying if needed.

12th Grade

Early fall testing (optional)

Continue all 9th grade activities.
Test again if scores will process in time for college deadlines.
Make sure best and highest scores are sent to colleges of choice (or all if super-scored).

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As you can see, it’s all about 11th grade. That’s why it’s so important to use grades 9 and 10 wisely for preparation and practice. This is exactly what I recommend, and almost exactly the schedule my children followed before each received lots of acceptance letters, lots of free tuition and lots of great scholarships. If you need help with this, I’ve linked some articles, below. If you still need help, I’m available.

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

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SAT, ACT and the new CLT exam

Core 16 and other high school information

Jul 20 2017

SAT, ACT and what is the new CLT?

Homeschooled teens looking to apply to college have a new test option to consider. Introduced in 2015, the Classic Learning Test (CLT) is gaining popularity as another way for colleges and universities to assess the student’s academic ability and potential.

A Third Choice in Testing

With the addition of the CLT, high schoolers now have three college exams to think about. These tests aren’t only for college admission, but used to determine merit-based financial aid, too:

The SAT examination, redesigned in 2016, and given by the College Board (here)
The ACT examination, available thru ACT Student (here)
The CLT, now available thru Classic Learning Initiatives (here)

Which Colleges Accept Which?

While ALL colleges accept either the SAT or the ACT (essentially interchangeable), there are currently just a few colleges that take the CLT. While the list of CLT colleges is growing, students are encouraged to check with individual colleges to find out if the CLT is accepted.

Differences Between Tests

The major difference between the SAT and ACT is the science portion. While both SAT and ACT include English, math and reading sections (plus an optional writing section), the ACT has a science section, too. Beyond the science, though there are slight differences in the number of questions and average amount of time given to respond, the 2 tests (SAT and ACT) are remarkably similar. (More similar than ever before even, as the new SAT was designed by the folks who wrote the ACT.)

The CLT, on the other hand, is quite different. A striking difference is that the CLT is given entirely online and results are available the same day (the others require a lengthy waiting period).

The mission of CLT is different, too, found on their web site:

CLI is structured and supported by principles and values which come from the rich heritage of the Western academic and theological tradition, what Mortimer Adler called the Great Conversation. To succeed at the Classic Learning Test does not require any specific religious affiliation; the CLT is open to students of all faiths who are serious about their academic work, the pursuit of virtue, and the beauty, truth, and goodness found in our Western heritage.

Aren’t Some Colleges SAT/ACT Optional Anyway?

While it is true that many colleges and universities have gone test-optional, as of this writing, the majority still require an entrance examination of some sort. Students applying to college within the next several years are encouraged to visit the web sites of the colleges of their choice, to learn the specific requirements so they can be ready.

(This list of test-optional colleges is one of my favorites.)

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschool pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed for illustrating how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Oct 29 2015

High school testing schedule

No matter how you slice it, teens looking to get into college need to be tested. Sometimes once. Sometimes more than once. Whatever your feelings about testing in general, measuring academic readiness via testing becomes a reality somewhere around 9th or 10th grade.

(But, wait a minute! Aren’t there colleges that are test-optional? Indeed, there are colleges that have gone “test-optional”. Check this list to get an idea which schools, and where they’re located. If you believe your student has a real chance at admission to those schools, just disregard this post.)

There are 2 major entrance exams used by colleges and universities today. These include the SAT, administered through The College Board and given several times a year at test centers across the nation; and the ACT, also administered throughout the year, and offered by ACT Student (all links below). Though the tests are similar, there are some important differences, too. When planning for college, students can prepare for either test — or both, to discover which one most accurately represents their skills.

Test preparation isn’t something that should wait until the year of the test itself. It can take several years for students to feel ready to succeed. That’s why I suggest starting the process in 9th grade (by 10th the latest). Though there are plenty of kids who earn great scores the first time around, it can take other kids a little time and experience to master test-taking skills. (Besides, scores also improve with practice, so taking tests multiple times usually pays off.)

Preparation for test-taking may include any or all of the following:

getting familiar with the test itself (subjects, duration, policy for guessing and blank answers)
studying practice materials (either books or online practice tools)
participating in local or online test prep classes
participating in study groups (or starting one of your own)
subscribing to receive daily test questions
taking practice tests at home (old versions are published online)
taking the “real” test several times to improve the score

You already know I recommend planning with the end in mind, then working backwards to put a high school plan together. When you do that, it becomes clear that students need to start prepping in 9th grade to be totally ready for a 10th or 11th grade test administration. Starting any later means success on the test isn’t guaranteed. And though nothing is really ever guaranteed, why not make sure you’ve done everything possible for your child’s success?

Students need to start prepping in 9th grade to be totally ready for a 10th or 11th grade test…

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With the end in mind, I suggest making up a timetable of steps needed to prepare for college entrance exams. I’ve provided one for you, below. Just figure out the steps that’ll work for your specific student, then write them into the student’s high school plan.

What’s nice about this method is that the test prep becomes a part of the overall high school curriculum. As part of the curriculum, it’s unlikely you’ll forget the importance of test prepping your teen.

Here’s an example of just one test prep schedule that could work:

in 9th grade:

Fall semester —

Set up account and student profile on each test’s web site

Carefully study what each test is about

Get a general sense of which test(s) might be used: SAT or ACT (or both?)

Buy some study guides and find other ways your student can start studying

Spring semester —

With your student, begin working thru the practice materials you’ve selected

Make sure the homeschool curriculum addresses the subject areas that are on the test

Take notes about readiness as you go along

Ramp up your curriculum and lessons if necessary for test success

in 10th grade:

Fall semester —

Consider registering your student for a practice SAT exam (called the PSAT) at your local high school. It’s given every October, so make time in the student’s schedule to take the test

Carefully examine the PSAT score results when they come in, noting which areas to focus on for the next round

Spring semester —

Make sure your homeschool curriculum addresses all the subject areas on the selected test

Ramp up your curriculum and lessons as necessary for SAT or ACT test preparation

Keep practicing

in 11th grade:

Fall semester —

If you think your student might be eligible for the National Merit Scholarhip, sign up for the PSAT again (otherwise skip)

Ramp up test preparation and curriculum to be ready for the next test administration

Register student for either an SAT or an ACT exam on the next convenient date

Spring semester —

Continue test preparation efforts up until test date

Carefully examine score results when they come in, noting areas to focus on or improve

Register for another SAT or ACT; making sure student is academically prepared in all areas

in 12th grade:

Fall semester —

Register student for the final administration of either the SAT or ACT, whichever is the better fit

Make sure test scores for the chosen test (and chosen sitting) have been sent to the college(s) your student will be applying to

As you can see, this plan assumes your student will take an SAT or ACT exam several times. Though students are all a little different, and this plan may not be suitable for all teens, I’ve written it this way so you can see it could take a couple of years to finish studying and get the scores where you need them to be for college acceptance.

If you happen to have a student ready to take the SAT or ACT in 10th grade, in 9th grade, or even earlier, by all means, do that too. It’ll be up to you to adjust this schedule as it suits your student, their skills, and your goals for readiness over the high school years.

Information about the SAT found here

Information about the ACT located here

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame and with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Oct 10 2015

Foreign language credit

I receive a lot of questions about foreign language credits for high school. In this post, I’ll address some of the most common concerns I hear, and point you to some resources that may help you navigate this area of the homeschool high school curriculum.

I want to start by letting you know that foreign language courses can sometimes be called, ‘world language’ courses in some areas. They’re the same thing; just a slight semantic difference.

I also want to remind you (more on this below) that most colleges and universities are going to assume their applicants can show 2-4 credits of foreign language on a high school transcript before applying for admission. Because of this, I recommend any student who even thinks they might go to college take at least 2 foreign language courses in high school. And, in case you’ve forgotten all the other requirements traditionally needed for college, go back and read THIS or THIS.

To the question of how to learn foreign languages, there are dozens of ways homeschooled teens can learn languages to earn high school credit in your homeschool. Remember, when homeschooling, there are very few limitations (if any, depending on area) on what to study, and how to do it. The marketplace is full of curriculum, courses, immersion programs, tutors, and plenty of other ways of language instruction. I have a list of products to learn languages HERE that ought to get you started.

In addition to packaged products and curriculum, homeschoolers (actually, anyone) can learn languages in other ways, too. Think about learning languages through travel, by reading, watching foreign films, viewing television programming, joining international organizations, or spending time with relatives from other countries. Again, when homeschooling, the tools and the methods are entirely up to you.

A web site I love when thinking about world languages is called Omniglot. I continue to be amazed at how many languages exist around the globe, and I love sharing that web site with others. With so many choices, the hardest part may be to decide which language(s) to learn; many homeschoolers choose several throughout the high school years.

Revisiting the matter of college entrance, however, I want to spend the rest of this blog making sure you understand the implications of learning languages in homeschool in ways that cannot necessarily be documented.

There are several important things to consider if you want to lock in eligibility for future college admissions.

…several important things to consider if you want to lock in eligibility for future college…

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The first is making sure your student takes 2 consecutive courses in the same language, for instance, French I and II, Spanish I and II, or German III and IV. Students are certainly welcome to take more than expected, but colleges will usually look for 2 courses in the same language, so make sure you’ve got that covered.

Next — and much trickier – is figuring out how to document language learning on the transcript. And, while I understand some families are very relaxed about grading and credit requirements, I’m here to tell you that college-bound students need to give this suggestion some serious consideration. Here’s why:

When applying to college, not every school may recognize every language experience. Colleges are not only going to expect your student has taken 2 foreign language courses, but they’re going to want to see that the courses were offered at the high school level, and were truly worthy of high school credit.

That’s why, if a student is going to be seeking college admission, it’s important to offer foreign language courses in a way that can be documented, and colleges can understand. You may be surprised to hear that some of the foreign language courses homeschoolers use in high school are actually unacceptable to colleges and universities. A popular language learning system (one for your computer) comes to mind — most all of the colleges I talk to do not recognize that program. Be careful.

…it’s important to offer foreign language in a way that can be documented, and colleges can…

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For college-bound students, perhaps the most prudent way to avoid foreign language mistakes is to speak to the colleges your student might actually apply to. Ask them if the credits you’re offering your student will qualify him/her for eligibility.

Additional resources for your tool-kit include the CLEP and AP examinations. Even if you’ve dismissed these programs for other reasons, you might want to give them a second look when teaching foreign language in homeschool. Certain CLEP examinations, for example, can be used to demonstrate mastery of world languages by examination. Though there are only a limited number of CLEP language exams (find the list HERE) this can be helpful for students who have studied those particular languages. CLEP is also a great option for students who already speak another language at home.

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are also available for selected language programs (view the list HERE), and just might be an option for the language your student is currently studying. (Note that not all colleges accept CLEP or AP credits. Again, it’s important to check with the colleges or universities your student might be applying to.)

I cannot speak to every individual case of foreign language credit and how it may qualify a student for college admission, but if I can help you personally, we can always schedule an appointment to chat about your unique situation. Submit a request here if you’d like to talk.

To your success,

Sep 17 2015

Fear of change

I remember being 25, an Assistant Professor at the time, asked to give a lecture about a topic I had little experience in. It had to do with the practical considerations and psychological implications of undertaking a system-wide redesign within an organization, one that could theoretically pull the rug from under the feet of many employees at one time. Knowing my limitations, I purposed to research the topic to death over the weekend, then fake it the best I could on Monday morning.

I recall thinking that weekend about what that kind of change would really feel like to people in that situation. I remember reading articles all about stress, insecurity and facing unknown in the workplace, really trying to understand the kinds of reactions a major upheaval like that would cause for the people who worked there.

That was actually the first time I really thought about change. Though I hated change and was living a very inflexible life, I had never taken the time to wonder why.

After my research, I remember thinking thank goodness it wasn’t just me. I learned that, for most people, change isn’t exactly a welcome thing. Until that point, it was something I just never knew. What a relief.

I’ve come to understand much more about change over the years. Mostly from my own experiences, but also by observing it in others. Turns out, it’s true what I discovered years before — change is akin to fear. And, though it may be necessary — sometimes even very exciting – the stresses and insecurities that come with changing course towards the unknown are very, very real.

I’ve learned it’s natural how worry accompanies change. When we contemplate a big decision, a life altering switch, or a relatively major transition, we’re prone to worry. Are we making the correct choices? Are we sure we’re following exactly the right path? What if we make a mistake? Can we take the change back if things don’t work out?

I’ve learned there is comfort in knowing. No matter the struggle, no matter how bad, no matter the senselessness of it all, at least we know what is. Change changes all that. At least for a time, there is no knowing. There is no guarantee change will solve something, let alone anything. There is never a promise change won’t make everything worse.

Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned, however, is that change requires faith. Faith in those guiding us toward that change, faith in the efforts of those supporting and lifting us during the transition, faith in the tools and techniques we’ve selected to help us along, and faith in ourselves to succeed.

I understand this fear of change. I face it regularly. But, friends, there comes a moment when we must rise against our fears and do what is necessary to create the lives we want.

Is there an area of your life you’d like to change? Will you state your intention in the COMMENT box, so my readers and I can offer words of support? Will you stand for the change you’d like to see in your life, and take the steps necessary to move forward?

I am standing for you, too.