Promoting early university awareness: Sign your children up for a test at QF

The exam season is almost upon us. For many students, it is a time when stress levels build, as they worry about whether they will be able to answer questions properly, or even fully comprehend the format of specific exam papers. But now, help is at hand. Beginning this month, practice tests will be available at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) for students in grades eight, nine and ten. 

Standardized tests are vital for university admission, yet they present many challenges. Taking a practice test has been proven to boost scores. Studies in the US have suggested that such preparation can increase marks by five per cent, and such narrow margins can often represent the difference between success and failure. 

“We’re trying to spread awareness of testing so that students can start preparing for these tests at a younger age. Our hope is that a lot of them will take advantage of this opportunity to take a practice exam because it will give them good exposure to what the real tests will actually be like,” said Sirine Sidani, Testing Services Coordinator at QF’s Office of Faculty and Student Services. 

Amongst other exams, Qatar Foundation’s testing center administers the ACT and SAT tests, aimed primarily at 11^th and 12^th grade pupils. Around 5,000 students are assessed there each year.

The new tests, including ‘PSSS’ and ‘Plan’ for grade 10 students, and  ‘Explore’, catering for students in grades eight and nine, will increase this number substantially. 

 The tests are designed to allow pupils to gain experience of standardized tests, and also to promote early university awareness. In addition to receiving their raw scores, students will receive constructive feedback, allowing them to review particular exam sections that they may need to study more closely. The ‘Plan’ and ‘Explore’ exams also contain a career assessment section, to help guide students towards careers based on their individual interests. 

It is hoped that the new testing scheme will remove the fear factor for students. According to Sirine, “Testing is not something scary. Students shouldn’t be scared, as the practice exams will help them reach their potential so that they will succeed on the real tests and, ultimately, have a lot of options when looking for a place to continue their studies.” 

As well as raising overall exam performance, the early testing scheme will help students plan for their futures, and determine if they are on the right track for university. 

To register, please email tests@qf.org.qa or call QF Testing Services on +974 4454 0381.  

Students may also visit the Student Center at QF every Wednesday and Thursday, from 8am to 4pm to register in person.