SSAT on Paper vs Computer?

[Anonymous]

Since stakes are lower this year with tests being optional, are families leaning towards the SSAT "At Home" on the computer or the Paper-Based Testing at a site? I love the idea of SSAT at Home, but I worry about inevitable distractions or glitches. Taking at a testing center sounds more intimidating, but DC might make fewer mistakes on paper/pencil since it's easier to annotate, eliminate, and recheck work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since stakes are lower this year with tests being optional, are families leaning towards the SSAT "At Home" on the computer or the Paper-Based Testing at a site? I love the idea of SSAT at Home, but I worry about inevitable distractions or glitches. Taking at a testing center sounds more intimidating, but DC might make fewer mistakes on paper/pencil since it's easier to annotate, eliminate, and recheck work.

If they are optional, why bother?

[Anonymous]

My thought exactly! Our secondary school counselor still recommends preparing/taking, because some schools will require (or prefer to see) the scores. Most people are still taking, but choosing not to send if scores are suboptimal.

[Anonymous]

We heard anecdotally of lots of glitches in the home test last year. DS took it on a computer at a testing center.

[Anonymous]

much prefer paper.

[Anonymous]

My DC would have much preferred to take a computer version (pre-COVID) but we were told that schools will assume that the student needs some accommodation if you do that. This is fine if your child needs an accommodation, as you should be upfront with any school you are applying to so you can advocate for and find the correct match school for your child. But in our case, our child didn't have any special needs and the school suggested it would be better to take paper/pencil.

However, given COVID, you have a valid excuse for taking it on a computer. (In our case the computer site was not at home, though).

[Anonymous]

Are any schools still requiring SSAT’s or are they optional? The big 3 aren’t accepting them at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are any schools still requiring SSAT’s or are they optional? The big 3 aren’t accepting them at all.

i think NCS is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are any schools still requiring SSAT’s or are they optional? The big 3 aren’t accepting them at all.

St. Stephens St. Agnes is requiring it unless it poses a hardship. Potomac is requiring either the SSAT or their in house exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any schools still requiring SSAT’s or are they optional? The big 3 aren’t accepting them at all.

i think NCS is

Interesting that NCS is requiring it and STA is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any schools still requiring SSAT’s or are they optional? The big 3 aren’t accepting them at all.

St. Stephens St. Agnes is requiring it unless it poses a hardship. Potomac is requiring either the SSAT or their in house exam.

That is strange, since they didn’t accept it at all last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC would have much preferred to take a computer version (pre-COVID) but we were told that schools will assume that the student needs some accommodation if you do that. This is fine if your child needs an accommodation, as you should be upfront with any school you are applying to so you can advocate for and find the correct match school for your child. But in our case, our child didn't have any special needs and the school suggested it would be better to take paper/pencil.

However, given COVID, you have a valid excuse for taking it on a computer. (In our case the computer site was not at home, though).

I thought it is against the law to report a test was taken under an accommodation. Does anyone know current policy or laws? This is for those with a true need for and an approved accommodation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC would have much preferred to take a computer version (pre-COVID) but we were told that schools will assume that the student needs some accommodation if you do that. This is fine if your child needs an accommodation, as you should be upfront with any school you are applying to so you can advocate for and find the correct match school for your child. But in our case, our child didn't have any special needs and the school suggested it would be better to take paper/pencil.

However, given COVID, you have a valid excuse for taking it on a computer. (In our case the computer site was not at home, though).

I thought it is against the law to report a test was taken under an accommodation. Does anyone know current policy or laws? This is for those with a true need for and an approved accommodation.

I'm PP. The point here is that my child has no accommodations - but liked the computer administration of the test better. There would be no report of an accommodation, but that schools might assume that they chose the computer administration to accommodate for something. You do not need to identify an accommodation to be able to take the computer administered test and the test had normal time limits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC would have much preferred to take a computer version (pre-COVID) but we were told that schools will assume that the student needs some accommodation if you do that. This is fine if your child needs an accommodation, as you should be upfront with any school you are applying to so you can advocate for and find the correct match school for your child. But in our case, our child didn't have any special needs and the school suggested it would be better to take paper/pencil.

However, given COVID, you have a valid excuse for taking it on a computer. (In our case the computer site was not at home, though).

I thought it is against the law to report a test was taken under an accommodation. Does anyone know current policy or laws? This is for those with a true need for and an approved accommodation.

I'm PP. The point here is that my child has no accommodations - but liked the computer administration of the test better. There would be no report of an accommodation, but that schools might assume that they chose the computer administration to accommodate for something. You do not need to identify an accommodation to be able to take the computer administered test and the test had normal time limits.

That is your own fault if you don’t tell the school about your child’s accommodations needs. They won’t be successful, if it’s a bad fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC would have much preferred to take a computer version (pre-COVID) but we were told that schools will assume that the student needs some accommodation if you do that. This is fine if your child needs an accommodation, as you should be upfront with any school you are applying to so you can advocate for and find the correct match school for your child. But in our case, our child didn't have any special needs and the school suggested it would be better to take paper/pencil.

However, given COVID, you have a valid excuse for taking it on a computer. (In our case the computer site was not at home, though).

I thought it is against the law to report a test was taken under an accommodation. Does anyone know current policy or laws? This is for those with a true need for and an approved accommodation.

I'm PP. The point here is that my child has no accommodations - but liked the computer administration of the test better. There would be no report of an accommodation, but that schools might assume that they chose the computer administration to accommodate for something. You do not need to identify an accommodation to be able to take the computer administered test and the test had normal time limits.

I think kids who need accommodations for extra time for ADHD prefer the paper version. Maybe kids who have dysgraphia prefer the computer version? I don't think a school would assume accommodations based on the fact that a kid took computer version at Prometric. Even Flex Testing through an educational consultant doesn't imply accommodations.