frontlines

Testing Timers Help Testers Score Higher

Esther Allweiss Ingber

Contributing Writer

W

ith so much riding on the outcome of a high school
student's ACT or SAT college entrance exam, but-
terflies and nerves — sometimes even panic —
can be part of the Big Test Day. Help is available, however, with
Testing Timers, the invention of University of Michigan under-
graduate Jordan Liss.
Testing Timers are high-definition digital
watches that help students prepare for and
take college placement and other standard-
ized tests by optimizing their time.
Liss, 20, a junior in U-M's Stephen Ross
School of Business, said his "simple tool"
improves the exam-taking experience.
"The watch helps supplement students' test
_
preparation by enabling them to properly
Jordan Liss
pace their time in the exam room, thereby
reducing anxiety," he said.
The watch comes in versions for the ACT,
which tests English, math, reading, science and
writing competencies, and the SAT, primarily
focused on math, writing and critical reading.
Explaining the process, Liss said, "You
scroll through the watch and pick your sec-
tion, which is pre-set for you. A visual indica-
tor tells you the total time in the section and gives you a run-
ning total of the time remaining.
"Going around the outside of the screen is a track. Where it's
blinking will be your current section," he continued. "When
you reach a certain marker or corner of the track, you're that
far into the test."
As an example, the ACT English section is a 45-minute test
with five passages.
"When the track starts blinking at No. 2, you should be start-
ing the second passage Liss said. "The watch helps you distrib-
ute your time'
A benefit of the digital watch is that with a quick glance, stu-

JN CONTENTS

dents can determine whether to speed up, make up the time or
move on in the exam.
"They'll be able to make a logical decision instead of running
out of time," he said.
The two testing companies, ACT and College Boards, spon-
sor of the SAT, have approved Testing Timers as an onsite aid,
like a calculator. Testing Timers passed muster because they are
quiet, therefore non-distractive, and also non-obtrusive. The
devices are encrypted and without the Bluetooth capability nec-
essary to connect to a phone, so nothing can be programmed
into the watches.
The young entrepreneur plans to continue working with the
college testing companies while continuing to build other busi-
ness relationships.
Testing Timers started last year with three clients, but Liss
projects finishing 2014 with "50 independent tutoring compa-
nies in 15 states, all integrating use of the watches into their
curriculums."
Liss said he has "business in my blood" from growing up
with the family's steel manufacturing company, Edsal, in
Chicago. Another constant was Congregation Beth Shalom in
Northbrook, Ill.
Hoping to continue playing basketball at his top college
choice, Liss was disappointed he was not admitted there. He
learned later that if his ACT score had been one point higher,
he would have gotten in.
He came up with the idea because "I didn't want test anxiety
to keep other students from getting into a school."
Liss, who expects to graduate with his bachelor's of business
administration degree in 2016, created the prototype for the
Testing Timers and oversaw their production.
Posts on his website attest to their usefulness.
A client wrote: "No student should take a timed, standard-
ized exam without this revolutionary watch:' ❑

Testing Timers sell for $45.99, including shipping and
handling, or $79.99 for two. For information, visit www.
testingtimers.com . The next ACT is Sept.13; the next
SAT is Oct.11.

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June 12-18, 2014 I 14-20 Sivan 5774 I Vol. CXLV, No. 19

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Leah Rosenbaum
Named JVS CEO

L

eah Rosenbaum, who has been
serving as interim CEO at JVS
since October 2013, has been
named its president and chief execu-
tive officer.
"Leah has dem-
onstrated outstand-
ing leadership. Her
breadth of knowl-
edge about JVS and
deep understand-
ing of our com-
munity's needs are
unmatched," said
Leah
Hadas Bernard, chair
Rosenbaum
of the JVS Board of
Trustees.
"In addition, her creativity and
warmth are inspirational, and her
strategic vision of the direction JVS
resonates with the board and the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit. She is the right person to take
the reins of JVS going forward?'
Committed to enhancing work-
force and economic development,
Rosenbaum has spent her profes-
sional career making sure people get
the support and training needed to
achieve self-sufficiency.
For nearly 20 years, she served as
JVS chief operating officer and over-
saw programs to empower people
with disabilities, at-risk youth and
unemployed workers. She also devel-
oped and expanded programs to help
older adults find fulfillment in their
lives leading up to and following
retirement as well as specialized ser-
vices for older adults with dementia.
As a passionate advocate for people
with disabilities, Rosenbaum has
developed and implemented innova-
tive services that facilitate community
integration and support the needs and
desires of individuals with significant
disabilities. Her efforts have made it
possible for thousands of people with
disabilities to obtain and keep jobs
and enjoy life as an integral part of
their communities.
Additionally, Rosenbaum is the
past president of the board of MARO
(formerly Michigan Association
of Rehabilitation Organizations),
the past president of the National
Association of Jewish Vocational
Service Professionals and has served
on several advisory boards.
Federation CEO Scott Kaufman
said, "At JVS, Leah is known for
her focus on excellent service to
their clients and her collaborative
leadership style. We look forward to
partnering with her on behalf of our
Jewish community" ❑

June 12 •

2014

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