Before the Test:
* Choose a quiet, distraction-free location: This is crucial. No phones, TVs, music, or other people around. A quiet room or designated area is best.
* Gather necessary materials: You'll need a copy of the practice test (preferably a real, official one from the College Board website), several sharpened #2 pencils, a timer (a stopwatch or timer app is ideal), and scratch paper. Ensure they have an eraser.
* Review the test rules: Familiarize your friend with the official SAT rules regarding time limits, permitted materials, and prohibited behaviors (like using a calculator when it's not allowed). This is extremely important for accurate results.
* Explain the process: Clearly outline what will happen during the test, including breaks and how the time will be managed.
During the Test:
* Start the timer precisely: Strictly adhere to the official timed sections. Don't let them go over the time limit for any section.
* Minimize distractions: Remain present but avoid interacting with your friend unless absolutely necessary (e.g., a genuine emergency, or if they have a question about test instructions, NOT about the content).
* Maintain a professional atmosphere: Act like a real proctor – be serious and focused, enforcing the rules fairly and consistently.
* No help of any kind: Absolutely no assistance whatsoever is permissible. No hints, explanations, or even subtle gestures. This will invalidate the results.
* Monitor the testing environment: Make sure they aren't cheating in any way. This could involve looking at notes, using unauthorized materials, or getting help from others.
* Administer breaks (if applicable): If the practice test includes scheduled breaks, enforce them strictly.
After the Test:
* Stop the timer precisely: As soon as the time for a section ends, they must stop working immediately.
* Collect materials: Once the test is complete, gather all test materials.
* Don't grade immediately: Suggest your friend takes a break, and you should wait to grade together, later. This prevents influencing their self-evaluation.
* Review the answers together (optional): Use the answer key to score the test together. Then, go through the questions they missed and discuss why they made those mistakes. Focus on learning from errors, not just the score itself.
Important Considerations:
* Ethics: This practice test is for your friend's self-improvement. It is not a substitute for a real, officially scored SAT. The results are for practice only.
* Accuracy: Your role is to create a genuinely simulated testing environment. The closer you get to official testing conditions, the more useful the practice will be.
By following these steps, you can effectively proctor a practice SAT test for your friend, providing them with a valuable learning experience that accurately reflects their abilities. Remember that the goal is to help them improve, not to achieve a perfect score on a practice test.