New: Mindset Reflections for ACT & SAT Prep Students Taking Practice Exams

Have a student enrolled in one of Test Prep Chicago’s ACT or SAT Prep courses, one-day workshops, or individual tutoring? We have great news: TPC has now implemented new, advanced analytical tools on our testing platform, Testpress, to help your student better understand their performance on our practice exams.

Once a student completes a Diagnostic or Final exam with us as part of one of our courses, or a Palooza Test as part of one of our one-day workshops, they receive access to detailed testing analytics, including information on their performance on each section, how many questions they left unanswered, how long they took on each question and each section, and more. Students also receive access to answer explanations for each question seen on the exam, regardless of whether they got it correct or not. 

Additionally, as students review the provided answer explanations for each question, they are now able to submit Mindset Reflections for any questions they answered incorrectly. Once submitted, students can access a detailed breakdown of their reflections, along with insights drawn from the pre- and post-exam questionnaires. This tool helps students understand why mistakes are occurring, identify recurring error patterns, and receive tailored test-taking strategies to support meaningful improvement as they continue to work toward success on the ACT and SAT.

If there is ever any confusion regarding how to use TPC’s Mindset Tool or access analytics on Tespress, students and parents alike can refer to our Testpress Tutorial Video (linked here). This video provides a step-by-step overview of how to log in to the platform, access materials, retake exams, review testing analytics, submit Mindset Reflections, and interpret the results. Parents are also welcome to reach out to our team, info@testprepchicago.com, with any questions at any time.

Have a student who is not yet enrolled in a course or workshop? There’s still time! TPC will be running one-day workshops (click here) for the ACT through early April, aligning perfectly with April ACT testing dates. Note that TPC is a Licensed Provider of Official ACT® Content, and our material includes Officially Licensed ACT® Content. For students looking for one-on-one prep, TPC offers individual tutoring (click here) for students taking either or both the ACT and SAT; individual students also get access to testing analytics and the benefits of Mindset Reflections!

Superscoring on the ACT & SAT: How it Works

Superscoring is a college admissions practice that can significantly benefit students who take the ACT or SAT more than once. Rather than evaluating a single test date in isolation, colleges that superscore consider a student’s highest section scores across multiple test dates and combine them to create the strongest possible overall score. The practice has become popular among many top universities over the last few years, and understanding how superscoring works can help families make smarter test prep decisions.

For the SAT, superscoring is straightforward. The SAT has two main sections: Reading/Writing, and Math. When a college superscores the SAT, it takes the highest Reading/Writing score from one test date and the highest Math score from another test date, even if those scores were earned on different days. These two best-section scores are added together to create a new, higher composite score. For example, a student might earn a stronger Math score on one test and a stronger Reading/Writing score on another, and both scores can count toward the final superscore.

ACT superscoring works slightly differently, but follows the same general principle. The ACT has four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Colleges that superscore the ACT take the highest score earned in each of these four sections across all test dates. They then average those four highest section scores to calculate a new ACT composite score. This means a student could improve their English score on one test, their Math score on another, and still benefit from both improvements when applying to superscoring universities.

It is important to note that superscoring policies vary by college. Some schools superscore both the ACT and SAT, while some superscore only one exam, while others do not superscore at all. Colleges that superscore typically allow students to submit all test scores and will automatically calculate the highest possible superscore during the admissions review process. Because policies can change, it is always wise for students to confirm each school’s testing policy directly.

Though superscoring can be a useful tool, students should still aim for balanced performance, as some colleges may consider all submitted scores in context, even if they ultimately rely on the superscore. Test Prep Chicago can help students improve their ACT and SAT scores. While all of our ACT prep courses have already begun, we still have an SAT prep course available for enrollment (click here). We will also be offering one-day ACT workshops (click here) in advance of April ACT testing dates. Note that TPC is a Licensed Provider of Official ACT® Content, and our material includes Officially Licensed ACT® Content. 

For students looking for a more personalized prep program, TPC offers individual tutoring for students taking either or both the ACT and SAT; for students who plan to take the test more than once, individual tutoring between exams can help students improve their scores from test to test. Click here to learn more.

CPS Opens Welcome Center for Migrant Families

Chicago Public Schools has announced the opening of the Welcome Center at Roberto Clemente Community Academy, the first of its planned centers aimed at providing resources to migrant families. The center gives families assistance with enrolling children in school, measuring English language level, and accessing health care and social services. According to CPS leadership, the welcome center will allow for the assessment of a student’s needs and provide that child with placement in a suitable learning environment.

CPS has partnered with the Department of Family and Support Services as well as Erie Family Health Centers to provide health screenings and necessary vaccinations for school enrollment. In addition, the Welcome Center will connect families with bilingual services and mental health resources. Walk-ins are not accepted, and appointments should be made ahead of time.

A new model in Chicago, CPS will consider expanding the program depending on ongoing need and success. These supports already exist for all CPS students, but the Welcome Center is designed to consolidate them for families needing extra support as they transition to the city.

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

DataManager Platform to be Used for CPS High School Admissions Exam

Beginning with the admissions test for the 2022-2023 school year, taken in the fall of 2021, the CPS High School Admissions Test will no longer be administered on paper. Instead, students will take the test on computers, using the secure DataManager platform. To prepare for the test, students will have access to a “Student Practice Experience,” which will give them the opportunity to learn how to use the features of the DataManager platform.

The DataManager platform allows students to use many of the same features they would have access to on a physical test. For example, students can skip questions and come back to them, or mark questions for later review. An explanation of each of the features available can be accessed within the platform by clicking on the “Help” button, and students should make sure they understand these features during the Student Practice Experience.

Francis Burke, Test Prep Chicago Intern