Star test prep tutors typically meet with students for eight to ten 60-minute sessions. For homework, we assign a mix of content review and test practice. We offer extended test prep for those needing additional support.
Our Star preparation course covers test-taking skills and Star test content, including question interpretation, guessing strategy, time management, and fundamental reading and math concepts.
Our Star Test practice materials reflect the current content and best strategies to use on the Star test. Your student will benefit from materials that focus on the most important content and effective testing strategies.
The Star assessment is a computer-adaptive exam used by some Bay Area private middle and high schools as an admissions test.
The Star test is computer-adaptive:
The exam starts with questions scaled to the student’s grade level and then adapts as the student progresses. Answering questions correctly leads to more difficult content while answering incorrectly leads to less challenging questions.
The Star assessment has two parts: a math section and a reading section. Each is expected to take 20-30 minutes, for a total of 40 minutes to an hour.
The first schools in the Bay Area to announce Star test requirements in Fall of 2024 were Menlo (Atherton) and Woodside Priory (Portola Valley).
The high achool admissions requirements of local schools such as: Castilleja School (Palo Alto), Pinewood (Los Altos), Harker (San Jose), Kehillah Jewish High School (Palo Alto), Drew (San Francisco), The Nueva School, Lick-Wilmerding (San Franciso), Branson (Marin Co.), Belmont Oaks (Belmont), and Marin Academy (San Rafael) are complex and can change year by year. We recommend visiting the schools’ websites and talking with one of our midddle and high school entrance exam coaches for up-to-date information on application requirements.
You can contact the schools offering Star testing directly to schedule a test date. Most schools in our area will allow you to take a Star test at one school and share the results with other schools.
Star test benchmarks are proprietary and particular to each school, so unfortunately we cannot provide specifics about good scores.
It is important to remember that the Star test norm group is a highly competitive group! Your student is being compared to all the other students in the same grade who are taking this test for admission into independent schools, some of which can be the most selective schools in the country.
It’s difficult to say what schools consider a “good” score, as there are many factors in admissions, especially grades and family connections.
Yes. The Star test is designed to evaluate students on their understanding of information that they learn in school, but it is still a standardized test. Our Star test prep course helps students review content such as fundamental math concepts and reading strategies, while at the same time coaching students on timing tactics, elimination tricks, and other test-taking skills.
The Star is produced by Renaissance. To learn more about this new assessment test, we strongly recommend reviewing their website:
The Star Assessment is also used by schools for standardized testing during the school year. However, scores cannot be reused for the private school application process. Applicants will need to take the version of the Star test that is being used as an entrance exam through the school they’re applying to.
Yes, students with learning differences can receive accommodations like extended time on the test. You should reach out as early as possible to the school where your child will be taking the test and provide them with their IEP, 504 plan, or other documentation.
Our test prep, academic tutoring, and college admissions counseling professionals are here to help you navigate the test taking maze, share our experience with your local school, and inspire your student.
