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SAT Initiative



This year, the district started an initiative to explore how each grade level can incorporate the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and SAT preparation into daily instruction.

The SAT is a test that measures critical thinking and reasoning skills in the areas of reading, writing, and math. According to Piaget’s theory of Cognitive development, children between the ages of 4 and 7 are already developing their reasoning skills. By age 7, children are already applying the theories of logic to the world around them. Each age and grade level provides opportunities to develop and foster these skills for future success.

Language flashcards for two-year-olds may seem crazy, but test-taking is an essential skill for a student´s entire academic career. Learning how to take standardized tests will help students at each grade level. College bound juniors and seniors are well aware that their SAT scores will play an important role in their college applications.  The higher the students score; the greater the chances of being accepted to the best colleges.  Taking the SAT early and as often as possible provides several benefits: lots of practice, improved test scores, and less test anxiety.

Across the country there are an increasing number of students taking the SAT.  Some start as early as middle school in order to prepare themselves as much as possible for later tests.  Other students intend to use their SAT scores to apply to summer programs at prominent schools, such as Johns Hopkins University.  These programs offer advanced summer classes and workshops in math, science, and the humanities for younger kids.  Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth has used SAT scores for more than 20 years to help determine eligibility for their advanced programs.  Summer courses like these allow students to stretch their thinking and learning about subjects they may not ordinarily be exposed to in school.  To help our students prepare for this program, Howard T. Herber middle school will be offering a club called “7th grade enrichment”. This club will have the students working on critical thinking activities to have them assess, think and communicate effectively.

Students and parents are looking for ways to prepare even more thoroughly for the exam.  Here at Malverne, we are offering our juniors and seniors the opportunity to take the Kaplan SAT prep course.  Students that participate will receive 10 sessions from trained Kaplan representatives.  These sessions focus on improving students’ essential skills and familiarizing them with test-taking strategies.

Though the SAT is certainly a difficult and challenging test, it does not have to be as intimidating as it seems.  With preparation, early exposure, and practice, students will benefit with higher scores which will lead to more options and opportunities for post High School education.

Below you will find links to help you become more familiar with the SAT, Kaplan, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.  For additional support, please review the vocabulary, prefix and suffix lists (see link below). By working together, we will help our children achieve success and reach greater heights.


Important Links:

SAT – College Board
http://sat.collegeboard.org/home

Kaplan
http://www.kaptest.com/

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
http://cty.jhu.edu/

Academic Vocabulary
Common Prefixes and Suffixes

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