By Samantha Sidi ’16, Staff Writer and Claudia Hyman ‘16, Staff Writer

Regardless of age, the word commonly used to describe standardized tests is “stressful.” Typically, it is the freshmen and sophomores who are not prepared for the SATs, SAT Subject Tests, and ACTs. Most freshmen have no incentive to start studying because they feel there is so much time. Even sophomores neglect the topic of standardized testing. Only towards the end of sophomore year, when students have their first meeting with the Upper School Principal, Dr. DiBianca, do students usually think about which SAT Subject Tests to take.

When it comes to ninth graders preparing for the standardized tests in the later parts of their high school career, to some it is not something that crosses their minds- but others have already begun preparation. When discussing any preparation that had been done for the later standardized tests with freshmen students, the common response varied between “Definitely not,” to “What is that?” However, in some cases freshmen or sophomores decide to take a jump-start on preparing for all of the standardized tests. Neora Shifrin ‘16 when asked if she had done any preparation for the standardized tests responded with, “My parents really want me to start studying. They started encouraging me to study for the SATs the summer before eighth grade.” Her parents bought her flashcards and other books to help her practice but have not yet enrolled her in any programs. Some who attended different schools before Newark Academy had practiced what taking the SAT might be like. Josh Karp ‘16 attended Lazar Middle School and took the actual SAT during his time there. His school hoped for students to understand the experience of taking the standardized test and to prepare for it. In general, though, beginning studies for standardized tests has not yet crossed most ninth graders’ minds.

As far as the sophomores are concerned, those who are in higher level math classes are encouraged to take SAT Subject Tests at the end of the school year. Some students still believe they have time before they need to stress or start prepping for the upcoming standardized tests. Lila Rimalovski ’15 said, “I believe that I am still very early in the process [of standardized tests] and I am still learning about them.” Lila is a self-described independent student; therefore, her parents are giving her the freedom to decide when she should start studying for these standardized tests. Riley Kolek ’15 said, “I am slightly stressed about the Sat Subject Test because I plan on taking it at the end of this [school] year, if possible.” Besides the Sat Subject Tests, Riley feels no pressure on taking the PSATs or the SATs currently, because he has another year before he needs to start seriously studying for these standardized tests.

Clearly, on the topic of standardized testing, there are mixed responses from freshmen and sophomores. But mostly, these students are not in the same studying boat as the juniors and seniors. And that’s okay. The underclassmen still have a long path ahead of them, and for now, they can be focusing on what they already have on their plate.