The standards for comprehension have been pushed higher yet, as standardized tests in mathematics have become more difficult.

    The SOLs, or Standards of Learning, are tests that must be taken each year through Mathematical Analysis. There are also SOL tests for English, Science and Social Studies. To pass one of these tests, one must get a score of 400 or above. The highest score one can get is a 600, and the number of questions is generally between 50 and 60.

      Standardized tests have been used for decades, measuring the comprehension of the students in various subjects. It’s a way of making sure that students are learning at least the minimum amount of information in each subject. Over time, these tests have evolved into more in-depth and challenging exams.

      “The new test has increased rigor, meaning the questions are more challenging and the state has added new style questioning,” said Ellen Nosal, who teaches Algebra 2, Geometry, Personal Finance, and Advanced Math. “A majority of the questions are multiple choice but new fill in the blank type and interactive drag and drop questions have been added.”

     “The field questions are no longer strictly fill in the blank,” said a freshman who chooses to remain anonymous. “My teacher tried to prepare us [for them], but the standards were set too high.”

      Virginia is not the only state that has tests for the standards of learning. Yet, it is only one of five states that has not conformed to the Common Core Standards set for learning.

      It is still holding out, administering hundreds of tests to students beginning in elementary school. Though the comparison between the states, as well as the grade levels, doesn’t show much deviation from the classic multiple choice tests.

      “Testing is more electronic,” said junior Brendan Adamec. “[There are] more tools to use, and the tests are harder.”

      “Overall, the testing system in high school does not greatly differ from middle school tests,” said freshman Dylan Cooke. “The system is pretty predictable.”

     “In middle school, the tests are basically the same as high school, just different material,” said senior Caitlin Welch.

      With these elevated standards, the pressure to succeed has risen. Many teachers are changing their curriculum to fit the test material, which has more interactive questions and harder subject matter. But that rigid change is catching up with some students.

      Many more students have failed their tests this year, but they do have the option to retake them and redeem the score. Some believe these rigorous standards can lead to better things.

      “I felt very disappointed in myself as well as frustrated and angry when I found out I didn’t pass,” said the anonymous freshman. “I was one point away!”

     “Our SOL scores have dropped, as does everything when a change is implemented, but with practice and preparation the school scores will rebound,” said Nosal.

      So, in knowing that the standards have risen, students are preparing more thoroughly and predicting much more to come in the way of standardized testing in the future. 

    Many teachers and students make use of www.jlab.org, which is a website sponsored by Jefferson Labs. It has archives of old standardized tests used in Virginia, which can be taken by students to test their abilities in subjects like math, science and technology. As well as using these electronic sources, students are also managing their time in accordance to the test day.

     “I am definitely starting to study a long time before the test day,” said Welch.

      “[There will be] higher grades in previous classes and as well as more classes to better prepare you for future classes,” said Adamec.

     “Preparation is key to the tests,” said Cooke. “The harder tests become a great ease after you figure out how to study for them.”