A lot of high school teenagers stress out about taking the SAT practice test . That's because the test is an indicator of how well they'll do on the "real" college entrance exam. Now there's a push to prepare eighth graders for the high school practice test. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.
A company called The College Board produces both the tests. Now they're developing another exam that would help eighth graders practice taking the practice test.
But testing critic Bob Schaeffer is suspicious.
Schaeffer: It's a way for the college board to make more money.
Schaeffer says the College Board is trying to compete with the ACT testing group which already has an eighth grade practice test. He believes the two companies are putting pressure on kids to make money.
Schaeffer: What schools need is more money for better teachers, and for guidance counselors to help kids get prepared for college. This diverts money away to just more testing.
But College Board officials say the test will give eighth graders a head-start on college planning. They say it also gives schools more insight about students' academic progress and potential.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
