AS Level Results!

[bambigoddess]

Mkays, so I won't pretend to be an expert on American testing (as I'm not from here, obviously), but most of my friends just went through their senior testing last year, so I know more about it now than I use to. (Oooh, there's a good point...Americans go to school for two more years than we do...my friends are all 17/18/19, and they JUST finished school and are off to college. I don't consider that "getting off easy", to be honest.)

First off, as Briana said, they have the SAT and the ACT to worry about if they want to get into a decent college. The SAT tests all subjects, I think (for them, 'all subjects' means English/reading/writing, math, history, and science...I think XD). The ACT is mostly English/reading/writing and math based. The scores that they get on these tests basically decide which college they go to. As such, these are reallllly important tests. And they don't give you any study time at school, nor do they offer a class or anything for it. So if you want to do well, you have to study on your own time IN ADDITION to keeping up with school.

Second, they have midterm exams and final exams (one in the middle of the year, and one at the end) for each of their classes. They're usually taken in class, but it takes the entire class period whereas most other tests don't. Sometimes it even takes several class periods. One of my friends went to math for two hours each day for four days just to finish one final exam. The teacher proctors, and they can't leave, talk, etc. for the entire class period. Even when they're done with their exams, they're not allowed to do anything but sit there.

Third, in some states there are state tests. Here in Florida, they have what's called the FCAT. Some years it decides whether you get to pass that year or not (eeep!), and some years it's just to see what class you'll be in the next year (remedial, honors, regular, whatever). But it's mostly used to grade the school and the state, not the actual student. So teachers dedicate a LOT of time in class to practice for this test, as poor grades only reflect negatively on the teachers (which, of course, they don't want). My friends say this test is ridiculously easy, but then again they're all "advanced" students, so I guess it may be harder for some than it is for others.

Fourth, there's the Norm Reference Test, but I think they're either phasing that out or revising it or something. All I know about that one is that it's colourful. XD

I think the main focus is to pass the class. Their workload is ridiculous, especially in the AP and honors level classes. Some students take classes at local colleges in addition to taking their normal classes at the high school. One girl I know graduated high school with a BD. {blink}

As for course load, one of my friends only took four classes last year, but another took 12 at the high school and four at the college (she was a DE student), so I guess it varies depending on the person/school/state.

By the way, if any of the above info is wrong, I apologise. Feel free to correct me.

I have to admit, I use to be under the same impression as you, Mike. Not just in schooling/testing, but in loads of other subjects. I always thought Americans lived the easy life (most of the time). [By the way, I hope no one takes offense to this! I don't mean to sound judgemental or belitting or anything. Just sos you knows. I luff you all!] But now I think that they have it easy in some areas and we have it easy in some areas. So it's fair, in the end. XD