Video

Nov. 5 SAT: Searching for the Lessons

November 5, 2011 SAT #6 in 2011

Location: Private School in Westchester, NY

Given that this was my 6th SAT in 2011, and the first one I can say was a truly bad experience -- I guess my odds aren't so bad (I'm trying to look on the bright side).

And, I'm trying to find the lessons to impart from my bad experience, so hopefully others can avoid the pitfalls.

1) Don't Take the SAT in a Gym if you can help it! The SAT 2 testers were right next door in the gym (cordoned off by a very non-sound proofed sliding wall), and that test ends an hour earlier and there was very loud (and understandable) jubilation when their test was done -- and gyms amplify noise. Are you getting the picture?

2) Maybe I'll add to this part of the story that the overly complacent proctor seemed oblivious to all of the amplified noise.

2) A Proper Desk is Very Important! This gym had "deskettes," which were big enough to house one 8 x 11 size booklet, which meant I could forget about getting comfortable in my surroundings and instead focus on the best way to "juggle" my test book, answer booklet, calculator and pencils. NOT GOOD.

3) Keep Your Own Time! It didn't occur to me that I couldn't count on the proctors because I guess I got lucky in the past. Not today. He messed me up so badly I don't know where to begin. Watch video for details.

4) November Test may breed Proctor Complacency. At least if I'm to judge by my experience today. There were very few kids in attendance, and the proctors treated it like an exhibition game.

If this were a real stakes SAT for me, I'd cancel my scores before that deadline. Thankfully it's not (and I don't have to share if I don't want to).

If I were a senior and this was my "final shot," I'd be making a BIG stink right now with the College Board, that is for sure. I'd be insisting on a re-do because those conditions could not reflect my best abilities.

But maybe I'm just too sensitive.

Video above for more details.

36 Comments

Gorgonzolablue

I've never had that experience while taking the exam. Have you considered asking for a re-do ; or canceling your scores?

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

Well, given that this is really just a science experiment in seeing "what it takes" -- I dont' want to spend my energy canceling my score or asking for a re-do.

And in fact for my purposes, it actually is good that I got to experience it so that I don't leave this project thinking they're all great experiences....and I can include it in my book and let other people know so they can check into these things.

Gorgonzolablue

Sounds fair.

Gorgonzolablue

Generally when taking the Sat's, students are to nervous and scared to make a bedlam.

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

The thing is, I FELT INTIMIDATED to say something. I debated and debated and finally decided that if I didn't say something, no one would.

I wonder what they were all thinking (the kids who could hear me)!

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

And I doubt that anyone know about my blog, and realize I've spoken about it publicly, but if I were any of them I would make a rukus, for sure. If it was MY KID who that happened to, I'd be FURIOUS.

http://www.redhorsetutoring.com Stacey Howe-Lott

I think ALL parents should sit in on at least one SAT test. If we had one parent in every room for every SAT across the country, parents would be SCREAMING at the college board for unfair test practices and they could no longer ignore them.

My kids have personally sat through:1. A proctor preparing her wedding flower arrangements by pouring glass beads into glass bowls, followed by pouring water and then arranging flowers. On top of all the noise, she didn't keep her eye on the clock.2. The marching band practicing right outside the testing room3. A proctor playing angry birds with the sound *turned on*

@collegeboard is responsible for the testing conditions of their test.

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

I had NO idea it was such an issue. I agree, a parent should sit in.

And more than that, the @collegeboard should take responsibility.

Halloumi

Wow that was a horrible experience! and reading about the "deskettes" makes me a little uncomfortable. would you take this test as stand by if you could?
Had I had the same experience, I think I would have cancelled my scores or do the stand by Test if possible.

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

What's the stand by Test?

Halloumi

Standby Testing is when you take the exam the next day, because that day is in conflict with a day that celebrates a certain day based on your religion, etc.

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

Huh. Can anyone do that? I bet it would be quieter!

http://twitter.com/akilbello Akil Bello

you'll need to get a letter from your Rabbi or Preacher or Scientologist sent to the college board to get sunday testing.
http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

I don't think I'll be pursuing that option!

http://twitter.com/akilbello Akil Bello

Thats not standby testing, thats Sunday testing and you usually have to submit at the time of registration.

Standby testing is when you sign up to go but dont have a confirmed seat, they will seat you if they have space!

http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/special-circumstances

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

Thank you for clarifying!!

http://www.wegrowmedia.com Dan Blank

Sorry to hear that Debbie. There should be someone like you at every SAT test everywhere, rating the process. Then, the test scores should be adjusted accordingly!

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

I've heard from a few tutors that this type of testing thing is not uncommon -- which makes me think that the @CollegeBoard REALLY needs to take ownership of this process and enforce that testing conditions are FAIR and EQUITABLE. Given that this is SUCH HIGH STAKES, that could really cut off opportunities for a kid.

http://www.wegrowmedia.com Dan Blank

I suppose I am naive here, but I assumed that whoever created the test (eg: College Board) trained those who administered the test, and that those people were accountable to College Board. But it sounds like that isn't the case. I suppose it's like elections - these can't be full time employees because they are only needed 6 times per year, or however often the tests are given.

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

It's an interesting question, and at some point I will look into. I would assume that it's the @collegeboard d who is responsible. My impression form experience is that they are teachers at the school who are doing the proctoring and they are probably paid money (not sure how much) to show up and do this with a set of instructions that they read from.
I'd be interested to know if there is a desk requirement, noise rules, etc. I know they DO NOT let you wear ear plugs. I actually don't normally wear ear plugs, but I brought some this time, but then heard in the instructions that you're not even allowed to wear them.

http://www.wegrowmedia.com Dan Blank

I suppose that's because the ear plugs could be a hi-tech listening device, where someone feeds you the answers? Or maybe it's just a fashion thing. :)
http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

hehe

http://twitter.com/akilbello Akil Bello

the college board sends a proctors and site guide but thats the extent of the training as far as i can tell. i think i have a copy of the proctors guide.. maybe i'll scan it.

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

I would love to see the proctor guide, if you wouldn't mind scanning.

I've since heard a ton of horror stories. I guess I was lucky.

I still maintain, my best experience was at DeWitt Clinton HS with YOU! Kids were quiet as church mice; proctor took it VERY seriously. If there was noise in the hall, she shushed....,etc.

I didn't realize what a variable it was.

Jen

The nearest school to take the test used the one sheet of paper deskettes (thank you for the word by the way, in the past when describing this, I make the little levering the desk up option motion and people look at me like I'm crazy). After I heard this from my oldest, I made sure to sign him and the next child up at places with tables. It's insanity. I had no idea until then that it would even be considered! That school no longer gives the SAT in fact. I hope it's because people complained.

The kids don't complain -- they're used to ridiculous things happening. Too bad there weren't more moms there!

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

I told my son the story, and he said "yea, that's what I had for the PSAT last week" (or whenever that was). I told him to make sure he asks for a REAL DESK next time (he said he will). But I don't think it occurred to him. I'm telling you, the juggle of the booklets/calculator/pencils because of the deskette took TIME, unnecessary focus, and added stress.

Also, after the "you've got FIVE minutes LESS than i I told you you did" incident (section 3), we did Section 4 and I went to the ladies room and thought long and hard about whether to say something to the proctor.

Honestly, I FELT INTIMIDATED! It's a stressful situation. But then I thought if I don't want to say something, imagine how the kids feel! So I went back and said it -- and then you heard the rest of the story (I think) on the video. "It was the lesser of two evils." HUH? From my perspective that was NOT the lesser of two evils.

http://twitter.com/SheldonWordNerd Sheldon the WordNerd

Background noise is bad for learning, and you have to assume it's bad for test taking, too. I had a student once who had a kid in her room that vomited during the test, and THEY DIDN'T CLEAN IT UP during the administration. Can you imagine?!

Re: noise. Here's some research on how noise may impact learning... http://www.newswise.com/articles/student-test-scores-suffer-from-even-subtle-background-noise

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

ICK! There is NO WAY I could continue if that happened (i.e. the throw up). No. I can't imagine. My son took the SSAT with food poisoning (it was the last one they were giving for the year and he had no choice) -- but he would go to the bathroom to be sick and didn't get sick in the room. Thank goodness.

Re the noise -- I am HIGHLY SENSITIVE to noise, so it may have affected me more than your average bear (though my kids are also highly sensitive), but this was so beyond a little background noise you can't even believe....

My daughter (and brother) both have been diagnosed with auditory processing disorders (i.e. if there's a noise distraction they can't think) and I'm sure I have a degree of that. My daughter takes all tests at school in a quiet room by herself.

And I don't blame the kids who were making the noise, btw. They were just acting like exultant teenagers -- which they should have been by that point. But the proctors should have acted like PROCTORS, and shooed them outside.... Or at least outside of the same gym where the rest of the test takers had just started section 7..

I often say about my kids: "They're just being kids! But it's getting on my nerves."

Headed over to that link now. Thanks.

http://twitter.com/akilbello Akil Bello

The proctoring experience is horribly inconsistent, some proctors erase the memory on calculators some dont, some announce warnings some done, some are loud, mean, rude, nice, helpful, give inaccurate information.. it runs the gamut because they are people how have written instructions that they follow as they basically see fit.

there is little oversight and kids generally dont report anything but the worst of the worst all the little annoyances are overlooked.

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

I would love to see the guide to see what they are SUPPOSED to do.

Is a test taker entitled to a quiet space during the SAT? What about a proper desk (and what exactly is a proper desk, as the one I had did not qualify in my mind)? What about the keeping of the time, and 5 minute warnings? Is that a test takers entitlement? Or a favor the nice proctors do....sometimes?

And if these are test taker entitlements, what happens when they don't occur?

I can absolutely see how the kids don't say anything, because honestly, it took every iota of energy and courage I had to muster up the guts to go say something myself -- and I'm a grown up who's usually not so intimidated.

But there's the pressure of the time constraint of the 5 minute break (after restroom, less than that), plus the weird authority/intimidation factor of proctor/test taker....and then add to that the pressure of "SAT Day." Not to mention, I didn't want to look like an idiot in front of the other testers (which I felt like I did....but I decided that I had to do it because none of them would).

Pingback: “Fair Test” Procedures for SAT Day | Perfect Score Project
VTang95

Honestly speaking, I'm regular from College Confidential and I would take everything that people say on there with a grain of salt. To THEM it might have been easy, but also know that you're talking about crazy, academically intelligent students.

http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

haha! Also, my son said "all kids think it was easy when they leave. That doesn't mean they were accurate." I bet he's right (though there are DEF. some smart kids on College Conf. I've also come across one or two who didn't necessarily tell the whole truth.

Thanks for reminding me about the grain of salt!

Pingback: Know Your SAT Rights |
Pingback: November SAT Scores Are Back (learn from my experience!) | Perfect Score Project
Pingback: For The Record….. | Perfect Score Project