If you are the parent or guardian of a student in grades 9-12, then you probably have heard of the CERT (College Equipped Readiness Tool) test. Since it is a test, it is automatically not a favorite activity for students, so you may have heard some moaning and groaning (or grumbling, at the very least) concerning CERT. But what is CERT, why do we use it, and what should parents know about it? Simply put, CERT is the best ACT-prep tool the school offers, and it is provided by the school for all BHS students. The best part? It can be used at home.
CERT is basically a tool to determine college readiness through providing an online ACT-like test that is taken in the fall, winter, and spring terms of our school year. It is administered just as any of our other state tests, which means the rules for state assessment are in place for the CERT, as the school tries to provide an authentic testing environment. The test is structured and scored to mirror the ACT. Reports can tell teachers not only how any given student would perform on the ACT but also specific areas where students are excelling or struggling.
CERT is more than data, though. Students can log in and access instructional videos that actually walk them through any question on the exam, including a rationale for correct and incorrect answers. They can also take practice quizzes over specific areas, which means they can practice with questions on material with which they are struggling.
If you have a college-bound student in your household, encourage them to bring home their login information (which is readily available from staff members if they have lost it) so that they may work at home. ACT practice materials are often difficult to locate and quite expensive, but CERT has everything needed to properly prepare for the ACT.
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