First-year students of Bridgewater State University are being given the opportunity to share their experiences regarding standardized testing.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Education is conducting a study at several public colleges and universities across the commonwealth, the purpose of which is to help determine which forms of high school assessments are more fitting predictors of college success.
President Dana Mohler-Faria invites first-year students to participate in a paid study analyzing the effectiveness of Massachusetts’ high school standardized tests. If you graduated from a Massachusetts public high school in 2013 or 2014 and are currently a freshman student you are eligible. Participants earn $100 to $150 for their time. Interested parties should call BSU Testing Services at 508-531-1780.
Below is more information about the study.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible to participate?
First time college freshman who are 18 years or older AND graduated from a Massachusetts public high school in 2013 or 2014 AND are currently enrolled at Bridgewater State University.
- What are the dates of the exam?
You can register for one of the following test sessions:
• Wednesday, April 22: 9:30am – 1:00pm - Academic Achievement Center, Testing Services
• Thursday, April 23: 9:30am – 1:00pm - Academic Achievement Center, Testing Services
• Friday, April 24: 9:30am – 1:00pm - Academic Achievement Center, Testing Services
• Saturday, April 25: 8:30am – 12:00pm - Dunn Conference Suite – Crimson Hall
• Saturday, April 25: 12:30pm – 4:00pm - Dunn Conference Suite – Crimson Hall
• Tuesday, April 28: 5:00pm – 8:30pm - Academic Achievement Center, Testing Services
• Wednesday, April 29: 5:00pm – 8:30pm - Academic Achievement Center, Testing Services
• Saturday, May 2: 8:30am – 12:00pm - Dunn Conference Suite – Crimson Hall
• Saturday, May 2: 12:30pm – 4:00pm - Dunn Conference Suite – Crimson Hall
- What tests are we taking?
The assessments are high school assessments in math and English/language arts. You will be randomly assigned to take one assessment (either math or English/language arts).
- Can I choose which test I take?
No, the tests will be randomly distributed.
- What will be on the test?
We cannot disclose the exact content of the test, but some students will be asked to complete a math test and others will be asked to complete an English test. You do not need to study or prepare for this test.
- How long will the tests take?
Depending on which assessment the student is administered, the expectation is that the exam will take between 2-4 hours.
- How will I be compensated?
When you fully complete the test, you will receive compensation of $100 for your participation in the form of an Amazon gift card to be picked up at the Student Accounts Office during the weeks following your test session on the following days and times: Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10:00am and 2:00pm. You can earn up to an additional $50 in Amazon gift cards for correct answers on two randomly selected test questions (one easy and one difficult question) for a total compensation range of between $100 and $150 for the 2-4 hours of participation.
- What if I do not complete the test, will I still get paid?
No, compensation will only be provided to students who complete the exam.
- How will I know what questions are being checked for the extra $50?
You can earn up to an additional $50 in Amazon gift cards for correct answers on two randomly selected test questions – one easier question and one more difficult. Those questions are selected at random by the researchers and we, the Testing Services staff, do not know which questions they are.
- How will I get the other $50 if I get the questions right?
The additional compensation will be distributed several weeks after all the exams are administered, which will provide time for scoring. You will be notified at the time of testing how to collect whatever additional compensation to which you are entitled.
- What will happen to my scores?
Your scores will be kept confidential. Any report publishing this study’s findings will not include information that will make it possible to identify you or any individual participant. Whether or not you participate in this study will have no effect on your course grades or eligibility to graduate and neither your participation in nor your performance on the assessment will be made known to your instructors.
- Will my professor know if I sign up for this or not?
No. Your participation is voluntary. Whether or not you participate in this study will have no effect on your course grades or eligibility to graduate and your performance on the assessment will not be made known to your instructors.
- What information will be available to the researchers?
You will be asked to sign a consent form that will give the researchers access to your other information regarding you academic performance and achievement history, such as: college course grades and transcripts, SAT scores, ACCUPLACER or other placement exam information, prior MCAS scores, and high school course grades and transcripts.
- When do I need to register by?
You need to register before we administer the test, but keep in mind that it is first come, first serve and spots are filling up, so we encourage you to sign up now or in the next few days.
- If you already have the number of students you need for the study can I sign up as a back-up candidate in case you have cancellations?
Yes, we are taking a limited number of names and contact information in the event that we have cancellations.
Finally, students should know that it is their decision whether to participate in the study. Either way, it will have no effect on their course grades or eligibility to graduate and their performance on the assessment will not be made known to their instructors.