Tiger University: Comparing the PSAT/SAT/ACT Jessica Soria | Valencia Counseling Office| College and Career Center

TODAY  Introduction: What is the SAT/ACT?  Test Structure, Format, & Scoring  Reading  Math  Science  Writing and Language Essay (Optional)

TODAY (cont’d)  Why should I take the SAT?  Why should I take the ACT?  SAT Subjects Tests  When should I take the SAT/ACT?  How to register  Getting Ready for the Test(s)  Benefits of taking the PSAT/NMSQT

Introduction: What is the SAT/ACT? The SAT and ACT are entrance exams designed to evaluate prospective college students, measure if students are ‘college ready,’ and provides an insight to how well they will perform in a college- level classroom.  Can be the determining factor in your admissions to four- year universities  Especially if a student does not have a strong GPA  Many universities accept both tests interchangeably

Introduction  The SAT released a new version this year  SAT Subject Tests – if students are strong in a particular subject or applying to an elite university, they are encouraged to take this exam

Test Structure, Format, and Scoring The ACT takes the average score of 4 different sections to calculate the composite score. Writing is a separate score. The SAT scores each content area individually. The sum of the content areas make up the total score.

Reading ACT SAT History/Social Science reading content Informational graphs Science, Natural Science, Prose Fiction, Humanities reading content Main Differences Reading passages focus on:

Math ACT SAT Data Analysis: Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Unit conversion Main Differences Both tests primarily focus on Algebra, however contain different subject areas:

Science The ACT has a science section, while the SAT does not. ACT SAT

Writing and Language/Essay (Optional) ACT SAT *The essay section is required for students who are planning to go to a UC and private school. It is encouraged for students going to a CSU.*

Why should I take the SAT? Take the SAT if….  If you would like to avoid science as much as you can  If you like to read  The SAT reading section has more reading comprehension questions than the ACT. The essay is also based on the comprehension of a 750-word passage.  No obscure vocabulary  Like the ACT, the new SAT does not contain any obscure vocabulary

Why should I take the ACT? Take the ACT if….  If you feel comfortable using a calculator  You may use a calculator the entire duration of the test  If you are weak in one content area, but strong in all of the others  Your composite score may not be too impacted if you scored well in most of the other sections  In need of a test that is straightforward  The questions on the ACT have been described as more straightforward than those on the SAT.

SAT Subject Tests  Mathematics: Mathematics Level 1, Mathematics Level 2  English: Literary Subject Test  Science: Biology, Physics, Chemistry  History: U.S. History, World History  Languages: Spanish, Spanish with Listening, French with Listening, Chinese with Listening, Italian, German, German with Listening, Japanese with Listening, Korean with Listening, Modern Hebrew  SAT Subject Language Tests are a popular way to meet the foreign language requirement for CSU/UC

When should I take the SAT/ACT? Students are encouraged to take the SAT/ACT their junior year and again their senior year. The PSAT can be taken as early as sophomore year.

HOW TO REGISTER ACT: act.org  Upcoming test dates:  June 11, 2016  $ (with writing)  $39.50 (no writing) SAT: sat.org/register  Upcoming test dates:  June 4, 2016  $52.50 (with writing)  $43 (no writing) *FEE WAIVERS AVAILABLE* Available to students who qualify for free and reduced lunch Maximum of 2 waivers per student throughout HS Waiver covers all registration fees, with or without writing

Getting Ready for the Test(s) TEST PREP EVERYWHERE! 1.Online Test Prep  The SAT has recently partnered with Khan Academy to provide free full-length practice tests and answer explanations.  The ACT partners with Kaplan to provide free test prep services as well.

Getting Ready for the Test(s) TEST PREP EVERYWHERE! 2. Going to class! – Both the ACT and new SAT exams are designed to better reflect classroom curriculum 3. A great study method is to take challenging classes

Getting Ready for the Test(s) OPTION 1:  What: ‘Mock PSAT/SAT/ACT Testing’  When: Throughout the year  Who: All grades. TEST PREP EVERYWHERE! 4. Valencia High School (Library) OPTION 2:  What: Official PSAT/NMSQT  When: October  Who: Open to 10 th and 11 graders  WHY: PSAT tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT and results are used to determine if a student is for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Benefits of taking the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) National Merit Scholarship Program – an annual academic competition that recognizes high achieving students  NMSQT results determine if students qualify for program recognition  Students generally take the exam junior year (11 th )  Competition is about 18 months long  Junior year to the end of senior year National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) – a program to recognize academically talented Hispanic students  Must be at least one quarter Hispanic

Questions Jessica Soria College and Career Center 714 – 996 – 4970 x 10036