Frequently Asked Questions about Standardized Testing and Language Assessment

What is a standardized test?

Standardized tests are designed to give a common measure of students' performance. Because large numbers of students throughout a school, district or country take the same test, the results give educators a common yardstick or “standard'' of measure. Educators use these standardized tests to tell how well school programs are succeeding or to give themselves a picture of the skills and abilities of their students.

Most schools begin to administer standardized test scores in the Fall or Spring of Grade 3.  Some schools will begin as early as Grade 2. 

Some popular tests include the California Achievement Tests (the CAT), the Stanford Achievement Test, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (the ITBS), the Education Records Bureau (ERB), and the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) and the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).

Why does Shanghai American School require an applicant to submit standardized test scores?

Standardized test scores allow us to better understand if a student will succeed in our academic program.  Together with the academic records and teacher recommendations we will be able to better determine if SAS is a good match for the student. 

Who needs to submit standardized test scores?

Students applying for Grades PK-Grade 2:  no standardized test scores are required.

Students applying for Grades 3 and 4: please submit all standardized test scores available from current school.  If your current school does not offer yearly standardized testing, then please submit all other documents for review.  The Admission Review Team will review the application and make recommendations based on what you have submitted. 

Students applying for Grades 5-12: please submit the prior 2 years of standardized test scores including any current scores available.  If your school does not offer yearly standardized testing, then please register for the SSAT or ISEE.  More information is below. 

 

My school does not offer a standardized test.  What should I do? Can I take a test at Shanghai American School?

We do not require students applying for Pre Kindergarten to Grade 3 to submit standardized test scores. 

For students currently in Grades 5-11, Shanghai American School recognizes the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) in place of standardized test scores.  Please see the website: www.ssat.org, for more information on this test and the location of the test center closest to you.  Scores can be sent directly to Shanghai American School using our school code: 7315.  

Alternatively, for students who have missed the SSAT registration deadline, SAS will now offer the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) beginning in late April 2008.  This test is similar to the SSAT and can be taken on both SAS Puxi and Pudong campus.  

Is there a difference between the SSAT and ISEE?  What is the advantage to take one test or the other?

The content of both tests are very similar covering the subject areas of verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, quantative reasoning and an essay.  The SSAT is available for students who are currently in Grades 5-12 while the ISEE can accommodate students currently in Grades 4-12. 

Because the ISEE will not be available until late April 2008, students who sit for the SSAT will have an advantage to receiving their scores before students taking the ISEE.  This will in turn allow SAS Admission Team to review their completed applications sooner therefore allowing students to receive our decision sooner as well. 

The advantage of the ISEE is that it is available in Shanghai on our school premises on multiple dates.  We anticipate to offer the ISEE and SSAT on our premises in the Fall of 2008.  

What will happen cannot sit for the SSAT or ISEE?

The applications for students who cannot sit for the SSAT or ISEE will be reviewed as is.  Application decisions may be delayed as standardized tests are a major component in the review process.  If a decision cannot be made based on the information given, we will require the student to submit exam results in order to complete the review process. 

For students whose native language is not English, submission of a SSAT or ISEE score (or equivalent standardized test) is needed in order for their application to be considered.  The ISEE and SSAT help us determine placement in our ESOL program if needed. 

Being able to submit a standardized test score with your application materials will increase the turnaround time for the final decision of your child’s application. 

What is the language assessment?  Who needs to sit for this assessment?

The language assessment is for students whose native language is not English.  The test results will help us determine the level of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) support a student will need when entering our school.  Students whose native tongue is not English may be asked to sit for the assessment prior to acceptance.  This assessement will take place on site at Shanghai American School.  We will ask students to sit for the assessment when a seat is available.