This Wednesday at the swamp, students from 9th to 11th grade filled gyms and classrooms to take the annual PSAT. With more test-takers than in previous years, organizing the day took lots of planning and coordination. Behind the scenes, staff members had to schedule proctors, coordinate room assignments, and set up the testing materials. As the school prepares for the Pre-ACT next week, organizers are applying what they’ve learned from the PSAT to ensure the process is swift and efficient.
A major coordinator behind the Green Level testing this year is Mrs. Lundberg. She plays a key role in making sure everything runs smoothly and oversees each part of the process.
“My role is to account for all students in the testing platform, assign administrators, teachers, and proctors to help give the test, and find locations to have rooms for all those students to take the test.” Said Lundberg.
This year looks a little different for organizers as there is a noticeable increase in the number of students that are signed up to take the PSAT and the Pre-ACT. For the PSAT alone, 300 more students tested this year than in previous years. Staff had to adjust a few aspects of the regular process to accommodate this increase.
“There’s a lot of moving pieces, there’s a lot to make sure that every kid has everything they need,” said Lundberg. “There are students who have accommodations that are provided in regular class, and we have to offer those to them too. So that’s a lot to make sure we don’t miss somebody, because that’s a legal requirement.”
Coordinating testing for hundreds of students entails much more than just handing out answer sheets. The first step is where they will put all the testing students. Traditionally, the main gym, the aux gym, and the media center are always used. But with the increase in test takers, most of the 3rd-floor classrooms were shut down.
Lundberg said, “We’ve used the third floor in the past because if you think about it, it’s on the top and maybe the quietest. Because we still have the schedule going, and even though there are no Bells, kids are still moving in the hallways.”
Green Level’s age presents a unique challenge. There aren’t 30 desks in every class; there are a lot of big tables that usually seat up to 4 or 5 students. But, on test days, only 2 students can sit at these big tables. So, figuring out how many rooms are needed for testing is complicated.
On Wednesday, when test day finally arrived, it was game time for not only the test takers but the staff as well. Everything fell into place, and the testing ran quite smoothly. With only a few hiccups with Chromebooks, everyone got in and out successfully.
“For me, because it was my first exam, I learned from my mistakes and things that I have to fix. So it’s just more my own checklist of things that I need to ensure that I have ready,” said Lundberg. “We have to make sure we have power cords and Chromebook chargers in case students’ Chromebooks run out of battery, and have backup Chromebooks. We did have a handful of students who needed backup Chromebooks because they would not launch.”
Now that the PSAT testing is behind them, attention has turned towards next week’s Pre-ACT, which will take place on Thursday, November 6th. To even out the schedule changes of the PSAT, the class periods will flip. Starting with 4th and 3rd period, each 125 minutes long, then onto a lunch break, and finishing with short 50 minute 2nd and 1st period classes. With the success of the PSAT, Lundberg is feeling more prepared to handle the Pre-ACT.
“Next week is a bit smaller, but still a big test. The 10th grade group is still a big class of 600, and some kids, so logistically we still have to figure that out.” Said Lundberg.
For many students, testing days may feel like a break from the regularly scheduled classes, but for staff, it’s a complex operation that starts long before the students even arrive to take the test. Lundberg’s goal is to make testing as stress-free as possible for all those involved. But, students can play a role in helping keep it stress-free as well.
Lundberg has three reminders for test-taking students. First, remember to bring the least amount of personal devices as possible because proctors have to take each device. Bringing just your Chromebook is the safest way to go! Second, don’t forget to charge your Chromebook! Finally, understand that the staff is under pressure too.
Lundberg said, “Just be patient overall with staff and our rules because we are bound by rules for the County and State. So everything that we have to do, we have to do it for a reason because it’s test security.”
As testing season continues, Green Level staff stays focused on making sure each student has the opportunity to perform their best in an organized and stress-free environment. After weeks of planning and coordination, the success of the PSAT has paved the way for the upcoming Pre-ACT on Thursday, 11/6.
