Admission and Subject Test Prep - Scoring and Diagnostic analysis for Released / Retired Test - SAT, ACT, PSAT, ISEE and lot more | Socrato

More Fixes and Updates

Jennifer Staretorp — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:52:58 +0000

Over the weekend the Socrato Team released a new software update containing several fixes that had been brought to our attention by our wonderfully helpful customers. These fixes include a new ISEE report, the ability to edit the ISEE essay score, ACT question count, and grid-in question grading.

As you may notice next time you go to generate a diagnostic report for the ISEE, the report looks a little different. With the help of one of our customers we have updated the taxonomy for the exam and made some adjustments to the report. Additionally we also added the ability to edit the ISEE essay score which wasn’t available before. You can now go in to any completed ISEE test and edit the essay score at any time.

A small issue brought to our attention was a discrepancy between the ACT question count during the test process compared to the question count in the diagnostic report. Even though the question count was showing up incorrectly while taking the test, the count would be correct in the report. This issue has been resolved and is now appearing correctly in the system.

We were also made aware of a problem with entering certain grid-in questions in several exams. When the correct response for a particular grid-in question could be a range (for example 2/3 < X < 1 and the answer is 3/4) the answer would be marked as incorrect. Any grid-in question displaying this issue has now been fixed and will mark the answer properly.

Have any questions about the changes or have another issue you would like to let us know about? Send us an email at info@socrato.com!

Wizard, Mapping and Recent Software Updates

Jennifer Staretorp — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 01:12:10 +0000

At the beginning of the week the Socrato Team rolled out a new software update which included some very exciting changes. We made two major alterations which include the addition of a new session/import wizard and the ability to easily attach an exam to your group.

Session/Import Wizard
The new Session/Import Page Wizard allows you to easily enter your students practice test scores and generate a diagnostic report within minutes. Some of the features of the new Session/Import Wizard includes:

Importing student data from one page in a smooth guided process (you won’t have to add the student from member page any more)
Adding a newly released exam or test to your group easily
The ability to assign the center specific student id

In the past there were 3 steps involved in entering data if you were using the bubblesheet based data entry. Now selecting the exam, test, and entering responses for a new or current student is all available from 1 page.

Exam Mapping
We frequently add new exams or versions of practice tests to our library. Previously if you wanted one attached to your group you would need to call and ask us to add it for you. Now you can map an exam or test to your groups on your own as soon as it is available using our new exam mapping feature.

Other Updated
We also made some other fixes which include:

Capturing of Student Id’s
Sorting and Searching for Students
Online Custom payments

Visit your account now to check out the new changes!

First Look: Socrato is Launching a Revamped Start Page

Jennifer Staretorp — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:13:18 +0000

Spring is the time for getting rid of clutter, cleaning up, and getting organized. After a long cold winter we felt that it was only appropriate to give the Socrato website some spring cleaning. So here we unveil our new and revamped Start page for the Socrato application.

Old Start Page

We’re pretty sure you are aware of our old start page below. To put it mildly it needed a bit of a face lift. But it also needed to be more useful. We wanted to create something that made the use of Socrato simpler and easier for customers to get to key parts of the application quickly.

New and Revamped Start Page

So, behold our new start page. We have given the start page a complete makeover giving it a light and fresh feel. The cleaner start page breaks quick links in various buckets, allowing you to swiftly manage your account, groups or generate a diagnostic report. Over the coming months we will continue to hone this so it is most useful for you. Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

The new start page will go live on Monday so make sure to Login to your account check it out!

Photo credit: Mamamusings via Flickr

Now Customers Can Use Socrato to Process SSAT Tests

Jennifer Staretorp — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:38:08 +0000

Author’s note: Socrato is not associated with the SSATB nor are we endorsed by them. We do not provide or sell SSAT copyrighted tests or questions through the Socrato software but the software allows you to process SSAT tests using our rules engine to create analytical reports.

The Socrato Team is happy to announce that the ability to create diagnostic reports for Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) tests. Tutors assisting students in preparing for the SSAT can use our learning analytics software to generate SSAT test diagnostic reports which identify the students weaknesses on the test.

The SSAT is a test administered by the Secondary School Admission Test board (SSATB) for students grade 5-11 seeking admission to independents schools worldwide. The SSAT measures a students academic abilities by testing their verbal, quantitative and reading comprehension skills. The SSAT is broken up into two testing levels based on grade:

Lower Level – for students currently in grades 5-7
Upper Level – for students currently in grades 8-11

The SSAT also serves as a method for predicting SAT scores for students currently in grades 7-10. Taking the SSAT serves not only as an exercise for the SAT, but also provides information on a students educational strengths and weaknesses.

If you are interested in processing SSAT tests using the Socrato software for creating diagnostic reports email us at info@socrato.com.

Customers can Process PSAT Tests Using Socrato

Jennifer Staretorp — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:32:18 +0000

The Socrato test pack expands once again as we add the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) to the list of exams. After several requests for the PSAT we worked hard to make it available to our customers and are excited to announce that tutors are now able to generate PSAT diagnostic reports using our learning analytics software. The PSAT diagnostic report allows tutors to establish a students weaknesses on a granular level and tailor a study plan to each student.

The PSAT is a standardized test administered by the College Board that gives students the opportunity to experience the SAT firsthand prior to taking the actual test. The PSAT measures critical reading, mathematical problem solving and writing skills. Taking the PSAT also provides the opportunity to enter into scholarship programs through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) to help pay for college.

The three tests for which customers can create diagnositc reports are:

October 2010 PSAT (Wednesday version)

October 2010 PSAT (Friday version)

2008 Practice booklet test.

If you are socrato paid subscriber and would like to generate reports for these tests please email us at info@socrato.com.

Have another test that you would like to use with the Socrato Software? Let us know by leaving a comment on the Feedback Widget. Just click the red “Feedback” tab on the left to leave us your thoughts!

Socrato Application Has New Header

Jennifer Staretorp — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:20:54 +0000

We are continuing with our user-centric Socrato application enhancements! To complement the updated navigation of the site we have implemented a new header as well.

The Old Socrato Application Header

The new header is streamlined to reduce clutter as well as modernize the application. In 2010 we are seeing apps with less emphasis on brand and using the streamline bar look more judiciously. The trimmer design also allows you to see more of the application body above the fold so you can take in as much information as possible at a glance.

The New Socrato Application Header

We’ve maintained the search box, a highlight of your credit balance, a swift means to contact us and your user-id. We also provided some quick links for you to access under your clickable-login username allowing you to logout, update your settings or browse for more Socrato help as you can see below.

Important Links Compressed Under a Clickable User-Logout Link

Have a comment about the new header? Or do you have a great idea for another design change that will make life useful for everyone? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a message using the new Feedback widget by clicking the red “Feedback” tab on the left of the page.

User Centric Design: Thoughts Behind Our Recent Product Updates [Video]

Prashant Kaw — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:32:35 +0000

Here is a recording of our recent product overview webinar. This encapsulates some of our thinking behind recent changes to our application which include a new navigational structure, a streamlined header and updates to the interface.

Behind all the thinking is the user – how can Socrato become easier to use for the user, less cluttered and more intuitive. Please leave us comments or use the feedback button on the app if you want to suggest additional changes or features.

Tell Us What You Want With the Feedback Widget

Jennifer Staretorp — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:09:07 +0000

We are customer and user focused company and want to hear directly from users what new features they’d like or what issues they are facing. We have added a great widget from UserVoice to our website aptly named Feedback. The widget is easily found as a red tab on the left side of every page of our site. The Feedback widget allows all of our customers to give us our feedback quickly and easily at any time. It also allows users to vote on which features which are most important to them helping us prioritize what we should add to the website site first.

When a customer clicks on the Feedback tab a small window will pop up listing the top feedback forums in order of popularity.

See what other people are saying about a topic and leave your own comments by clicking on the feedback forum title to join the discussion.

Give it a try and let us know your thoughts and ideas!

ISEE Test Diagnostic Reports Now Available for Socrato Customers

Jennifer Staretorp — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 22:30:47 +0000

The Socrato Team is very excited to add the ISEE test (Independent School Entrance Exam) to our expanding library of testing material available to Socrato subscribers. Tutors are now able to use our learning analytics software to generate ISEE test diagnostic reports for their students, allowing them to pinpoint exactly which areas they need to focus on.

The ISEE is an andmission entrance exam (similar to the SAT or ACT) for students applying to independent schools in the US. The ISEE assesses and measures students against peers giving the school a guide for a students academic level and performance. The ISEE features three levels of examination based on grade level. The Socrato tool allows tutors to create diagnostic reports for all three of them:

Lower Level: for entrance into grades 5-6
Middle Level: for entrance into grades 7-8
Upper Level: for entrance into grades 9-12

All of the examination levels consist of five sections in which the students are tested on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics, and writing skills.

If you are interested in adding the ISEE tests your content library for creating diagnostic reports email us at info@socrato.com.

Keep an eye out as we will be adding more exams to our library soon!

New Website Navigation Coming Next Week

Jennifer Staretorp — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:59:35 +0000

As you may have noticed there have been several updates to the Socrato website as of recent, and we are very excited to tell you about one more change that is around the corner. To make moving around our website easier we are updating our site navigation.

The top navigation bar has been cleaned up and all the sub navigation items have been moved completely to the left of the page where it is easy to see and simple to use. The new sleek design will help you get around and find what you need quickly.

In order to reduce clutter on the page we’ve collapsed or long list of items into relevant sections which open when clicked. We’ve also added relevant icons that will help make using the sub-navigation more intuitive.

Lastly we’ve ensured that our breadcrumb navigation at the top of the page body is consistent throughout the application which consistently tells users where they are in the app and allows them to backtrack their path through the site.

Have an idea or suggestion to improve the website? We would love to hear what you have to say! Tell us your thoughts by leaving a comment or emailing us at info@socrato.com.

At Socrato it is our mission to continuously improve our website so that it suits your needs. Stay tuned as there are more website changes to come!