Preparation for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Grades 7-12
Super Saturday/Summer Program (SS)
Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI)
School of Education (SOE)
Purdue University (PU)
Developed and Taught by Mary E. Hopper (4 Times, 1885-1989)
Audience
Students planning to take the SAT in the near future.
Course Goal
Students will access their own strengths and weaknesses in relation
to skills of test taking and will work on remediation in specific areas.
Course Outline
Week 1
- Explain the testing terms: objective, essay, norm-referenced, criteria-referenced, self-referenced, and mean.
- Describe a rationale for studying for a norm-referenced test as I it were a criteria-referenced test.
- Produce many ideas about how to improve one's own score.
Week2
- Practice taking a test under stimulated conditions.
Week 3
- Accurately determine own score on a test.
- Analyze the meaning of a score on a norm-referenced test.
- Using interpretation of a score analysis, determine individual strengths and weaknesses.
- Choose priorities for which scores are most in need of improvement relative
to personal performance and long term expectations.
Week 4
- Identify different types of test questions and content areas.
- Determine relative performance (by percentage computation) on types of items.
- Differentiate between study strategies for different types of content and questions.
- Select own content areas and question types to improve.
- Discuss ways to improve scores which include study strategies and materials.
- Learn relevant basic content for test areas in need of improvement.
Week 5- Week 7
- State rationale for various basic study strategies for each section of test. (All Students)
- Practice basic strategies for improving performance on particular sections of test. (All Students)
- Learn basic content for each particular section on test. (All Students)
- Iidentify and experiment with a variety of study methods, taking into consideration
factors like cognitive style, motivation, test anxiety, and other needs.
- Develop regular use of personal study methods based on personal style and needs.
- Practice relevant bsic content for test areas in need of improvement. (Individualized)
- Practice strategies for answering particular types of questions in need of improvement. (Individualized)
- Describe how to correct mistakes on particular types of items. (Individualized)
- Create methods to work with group members to improve studying process. (All Students)
Week 8
- Answer questions on a practice test using appropriate strategies for all content areas and question types.
- Construct a thorough plan for test preparation relative to test strategies and content as well as appropriate study methods.
Week 9
- Describe a plan for test preparation relative to test strategies.
- Identify any problems in a plan for test preparation.
(Most of class will be spent on reviewing and refining preparation plans. Also some course review and evaluation.)
After the Course
- Continue to develop, modify and utilize test preparation plans like those developed in the course.
© Mary E. Hopper [MEHopper] |
MEHopper@TheWorld.com
[posted 01/01/01 | revised 02/02/02]