Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Q: How much does CSU/UC MDTP tests and scoring services cost?

A: MDTP provides testing booklets, answer sheets, and scoring services to California precollegiate schools free of charge. The California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) funds the precollegiate portion of our program.
MDTP makes every effort to keep costs down so that we may fill all of the requests we receive. In order to accomplish this goal, we ask that teachers only order the quantity of answer sheets and class information sheets they actually need. Of course, we are happy to allow a few extra sheets for each class. Teachers should reuse test booklets when possible. It is important to store test booklets in a secure location.
 

Q: When and how often may I test my students? May I test my class even though the rest of the school is not testing?

A: You may test whenever you choose. You are not obligated to wait for school-wide testing, if such testing occurs at your school. As the classroom teacher you decide when to test. MDTP will send you the printed reports for your class.
We encourage you to test your class as often during the year as you feel necessary to determine the best instructional path for your students. Some teachers use the tests as pre- and post-tests. When used this way, both pre- and post-test printouts can be used in individual student conferences to show the student how much growth has occurred. Some teachers give the tests about two-thirds of the way through the year so that time is still available to review and correct any misinformation.
 

Q: How can I find out how my class compares to the rest of the district (county, state)?

A: MDTP does not provide school, district, county, or statewide data for such comparisons.
 

Q: Why not?

A: MDTP tests are criterion-based tests constructed to measure student mastery of selected concepts and skills. Normed tests are constructed to compare achievement levels of groups of students, but have little useful information about individual mastery of particular concepts. Tests that attempt to do both generally must compromise each area.
 

Q: Who can place orders for materials?

A: Any teacher at a California pre-collegaite school or an outreach program serving pre-collegiate students can place an order with any MDTP regional site office. We suggest you use the site in your geographical area to lessen the time and costs needed for shipping materials between you and MDTP. If your school is not in the Orange County area, please refer to the MDTP Regional Offices page for a comprehensive list of MDTP sites by county.
 

Q: Who does MDTP send the test results to?

A: MDTP returns the test scoring results directly to the teacher that sent the materials to us.
 

Q: Is it all right to use these tests for student placement?

A: Although MDTP tests are designed to provide diagnostic information to teachers and students, many teachers find them useful in developing good placement recommendations. When used for this purpose, it is essential to give full consideration to other measures of student achievement, such as course grade and teacher recommendation. The tests should never be used to exclude students from a college preparatory mathematics program.
 

Q: What is the cut-off score for each test?

A: There is no cut-off score for MDTP tests. Since their purpose is diagnostic in nature, any discussion of cut-off scores is meaningless. An evaluation of most exams, however, will reveal that the reported mastery level of each topic is approximately 70% of the number of items covered by the topic.
 

Q: Since we have a Scantron scoring machine at our school, once we have the test booklets and the correct key for a particular test, why should we send answer sheets to an MDTP site for scoring?

A: Since the total number correct on any of the tests conveys only minimal information about student performance, not letting MDTP score the test prevents you and your students from receiving the diagnostic information available -- namely, where your class and individual students need more work.
Don't forget MDTP does NOT charge for the scoring service -- there is no cost to you or your school. MDTP scoring sites operate all year long, not just during the school year. MDTP's goal is to score answer sheets and return the test results to you within 24 hours. This does not include the shipping time to and from our sites, also during peak scoring seasons we may need additional time.
In addition, MDTP reviewers use the number of tests we score as a principal indication of the extent of our activity; so returning all of your student's answer sheets not only provides diagnostic information to you but also helps ensure our continued funding.
 

Q: How long does each test take?

A: There are suggested times are on the front of the test booklets which range from 45 minutes to 90 minutes. Remember these are only suggested times. We consider them to be minimum time limits for the tests. Teachers should make sure all students take the test under the same constraints. We strongly recommend that students complete a test in one sitting.
 

Q: CAN MY STUDENTS USE A CALCULATOR?

A: Calculators are not recommended unless otherwise stated on the test booklet.
 

Q: Can I receive my results electronically?

A: Yes, results can be sent through email in an excel file (raw data only). Teachers can receive their individual class results and upon request administrators can receive aggregated data of their school's results. However, when aggregated data is sent to administrators MDTP cannot provide teacher names. MDTP tests were developed primarily to provide diagnostic information to teachers and students in a classroom setting. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that teachers and others understand that the materials are provided for use at the teachers' discretion and that the results will only be used with their knowledge and never to evaluate teachers.