ISAT's 

ISAT Frequently Asked Questions:

1.) What does ISAT stand for, and what does it test?
      -Idaho Standards Achievement Test
      -Measures student knowledge and progress in reading, language usage, math and science

2.) Why am I required to take the ISAT?
      -To prove that students are learning essential reading, language usage, math and science skills
      -To prove that teachers/schools are teaching esential skills so students are prepared and can be successful in work and personal life

3.) What does the ISAT mean to me? Why is it important to me, to school, and to society? What does the ISAT tell me, teachers, employers, universitys and society?
      -Measures student progress from grade to grade
      -Tells students and teachers what students have learned and what they still need to learn to be succesful in high school, post secondary education, in the workplace, in their personal life, and as citizens
      -Scores are often used as one indicator for student placement in classes, such as honors or remediation

4.) What subjects are tested on the ISAT?
      -Reading: word analysis, literal comprehenion, interpretive comprehension, evaluative comprehension, literacy analysis
      -Language Usage: writing process, composition structure, correctness and clarity, grammar, conventions, spelling, capitalization, etc.
      -Math: Number sense, estimation and accuarate computations, mathematical reasoning and problem solving, concepts and principals of measurement, concepts and language of algebra, functions and mathematical models, concepts and principals of geometry, data analysis, probability and statistics.
      -Science: nature of science, physical science, biology, earth and space system, personal and social perspective, technology

5.) How is the ISAT scored?
      - ISAT reports results with a score based on an achievement scale. The scale score is a measure of the student's skill level in the subject area tested. Each number is like a rung on a ladder - the higher the number the higher the skill level. The score shows the student's current achievement level - regardless of grade level - and indicates his/her current learning (instructional) level.

6.) What are the proficiency targets on the ISAT?       

	READING	LANGUAGE	MATH	SCIENCE
3RD GRADE	192	196	190
4TH GRADE	198	203	201
5TH GRADE	204	209	211	206
6TH GRADE	208	214	218
7TH GRADE	212	218	223	213
8TH GRADE	214	221	229
10TH GRADE	220	226	238	219

 

7.) Should I guess if I don't know the correct answer?
      -In many cases the answer is yes. Most tests don't take off points for answering incorrectly. They just don't add any.

8.) What is I am stuck on a difficult question?
      -Skip it. You can always return to the question once you answer ones that you are more sure about. However, be sure to go back to the difficult question and make your best guess.

9.) How many questions do I need to answer correctly to be at the proficient level?
      -You do not have to answer all the questions correctly to be proficient on the ISATS. It is not expected that students answer every question correctly. Again, just do your best.

10.)How do I download the ISAT tutorial and take practice tests.
      -Goto http://isat.caltesting.org , click on Downloads and dowload CAL Version 5.0

ISAT TESTING TAKING TIPS FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS

Before the Test
      -Get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast
      -Be aware of your self-talk. Think positively about the test and your abilities. You might think of the ISATS as you would a sports or music competition. Be ready to be a winner.
      -Stay relaxed and comfortable
      -Dress comfortably in layers so you can adjust to room temperatures
      -Use the restroom ahead of time. Come well-hydrated
      -Avoid scheduling dental or doctor appointments on your testing day
      -Be to school on time

When you arrive at the test location
      -Be comfortable, but alert
      -Make sure you have enough room to work
      -Maintain an upright posture in your seat
      -Take several slow, deep breaths

As you take the test
      -Test questions are displyed on the computer screen
      -Read questions carefully. Stay focused.
      -Read every answer choice
      -Read the question, before reading the passage
      -Some reading passages are long. You will need to scroll down in order to read the entire passage.
      -Transfer math problems to a piece of paper.
      -Solve the problem. Find the answer among the choices. If the answer isn't among the choices, rework the problem
      -You should answer every question
      -Don't rush. The ISAT is NOT a timed test. Keep your focus even if others finish before you.
      -Concentrate. Stay focused on the questions. Tackle one at a time
      -You are not expected to know the answer to every question to have a proficient score.