It is a result of which we are extremely proud, especially when you consider that we do not spend a lot of time preparing for the test nor do we teach “to the test.” On average, Nysmith classes spend no more than a week in preparation for The Iowa Tests. We choose to concentrate, not on preparing the children to analyze the specific questions or tap their creativity in responding, but to rely on what they’ve learned and use their minds to identify problems, assess and resolve them. Yes, our students have acquired a wonderfully deep and solid academic base, but it is the soft skills that will help propel them in the future. For those not familiar with The Iowa Tests, they are one of the largest nationally normed standardized tests that offer educators a diagnostic look at how students are progressing in key academic areas. They have since 1935 been used by many states and private schools to measure grade-level performance.