This year was new in regards to how we approach the PSAT and SAT testing nationwide. The College Board decided it was time to keep up with growing technology and put these standardized tests online. Students logged into their accounts and followed the directions on their screen after inputting codes that would allow them to enter the test. It was more efficient, and less time overall!
A potential controversial opinion – I love that the math section is now ALL calculator allowed. Many times we find ourselves having to teach something the “no-calculator way” just because standardized tests have a no-calculator section and that is what everyone is gearing up for (which is a whole other topic). Allowing students to use the calculator can help them get to the fun applicable portion of mathematics instead of the mundane math. In a college course we discussed that all of mathematics can be modeled by a tree. Some students never make it into the leaves because they are so bogged down by what is in the trunk. If we allowed them to use calculators, then they can make it into the more applicable side of math – which personally I think is the best part.
On the teacher’s end, things were much easier. There is no reminder of how much time is left in a test because each student has a running clock on their screen. There are a few directions that must be read in the beginning – but even that is less than what it usually is. There was no rush to get everything passed out and re-collected, no stress over hoping students were answering in the right section, or worries about whether they had the correct writing utensil.
We’ll see how this platform continues to grow and impact students!
Ms. Pi 4 Ever 