By News Editor: Kayla McClain

Now that Test Fest is over at Howell High School, there is still one test awaiting students in grades 9 through 11.  They will soon be taking the NWEA (Northwest Educational Assessment) after spring break. This is a nationwide test that is taken online, and measures students’ math and English skills. Unlike the ACT or SAT, this is not as crucial to a student’s future, but is merely an adaptive test for future placement.

“Our goal is to have another set of data points to measure where students are, and how we can help them,” Principal Jason Schrock says.

Being this is an adaptive test, the questions correlate to the student’s level while taking the assessment.

“This is an adaptive test, which means when you start, everyone will maybe have the first question the same, and if you get it right, the system will give you a harder question. If you get it wrong, the system will back up and give you another kind of question,” Mr. Schrock says.

Although this is nationwide, this is the first year that HHS has initiated the NWEA. Even the elementary levels are participating, allowing grades 3-11 to take it and prepare themselves for the future.

“It is online because the future of test-taking is online,” Mr. Schrock says. “The state is going to be mandating that students will be taking their state assessments online in the future. So, this is a test that mirrors what the state test will look like, and it helps us get ready for students taking these online tests.”

It is important to do well on the NWEA, but colleges will not be looking at these scores. Only Howell will look at the results which will help administrators understand the classes that students should take, and how well HHS is doing as a school.

“No matter what test you’re taking, whether it’s a college entrance test, ACT test, NWEA, or even just a test in your class, the best advice is to just relax while you’re taking it. But if you want to be prepared, you’ve got to do the legwork ahead of time. That means showing up every day, doing what is expected, paying attention, and trying your best. Put those pieces together, you’ll be successful.”