TERRA NOVA 3rd EDITION
Terra Nova is the standardized testing program used by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Terra
Nova is an achievement test which has an aptitude component called IN VIEW. As of the 2008-2009
school year St. Christopher School students in grades K-8 are tested. Beginning in 2009-2010 all
Terra Nova testing will be done in the Spring (March).
Kindergarten testing is a shorter version and used primarily to assess the effectiveness of our
school program. The aptitude section, IN VIEW, is first given in Grade 3. Grade 7 student test
scores are used for high school applications, placement, etc.
Student test results are converted by CTB/Terra Nova into School Reports, Teacher Reports, and
Home Reports. For our students, standardized tests are only ONE of the many forms of
assessments which describe progress. SCHOOL REPORTS give general information for each
grade/group which can help us to determine if our teaching materials and instructional methods
are effective. Teachers use INDIVIDUAL STUDENT REPORTS to learn about student potential/aptitude
and to see if each student is working above, at, or below potential. Individual student
strengths and weaknesses are noted for specific skills. HOME REPORTS give parents information
about how their student compares to other students locally and nationally.
Terra Nova 3rd Edition - Multiple Assessments uses some "constructed response" questions. Those
questions are not the typical multiple choice style, but instead require the student to supply
the answer by writing a phrase, sentence, or paragraph. These questions call for higher level
thinking and application of learned skills. We at St. Christopher School have been preparing
our students for these kinds of tests by using such questioning in our instruction and in our
end-of-theme/unit tests and performance assessments.
TIPS FOR PARENTS ON TEST-TAKING
1. Reassure your child that he or she does not have to answer all the questions
correctly to pass. It is not expected that students answer every question correctly.
2. Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any
blanks. There is no penalty for guessing, and students can get partial credit on the open-ended
items.
3. Remind your child that the test is important.
4. Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely. If your child gets stuck on a
question, encourage him or her to make the best guess or place a mark in the test booklet by
that item and go back to it after finishing that section of the test.
5. Make certain your child gets a good night’s sleep and a *good breakfast before taking
the test.
6. Try to make the morning of the test a pleasant one. Do not add to your child’s stress.
7. Get your child to school on time the day of the test.
8. Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the
directions and each question carefully.
9. Encourage your child to stay focused on the test, even if other students finish early.
10. Remind your child that it is okay to jot down notes or work on scrap paper as a help in
taking the tes, but to mark all answers on the answer sheet.