FALL Testing DAY Information for Sophomores PHS Fall Testing Day

Fall Testing Day Changes Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2017. exams are not required, but optional Only students that sign-up will test. All others will be in class as normal Test Options: PSAT or Practice ACT Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Approximately 7:30am-11:00am OPTION #1:Practice ACT Sophomores, Juniors- Sign up mid-September (There will be a link) Exam takes place during the school day and at the SAME time of the PSAT, so you cannot participate in both

Fall Testing Day Cont’d OPTION #2: PSAT ALL Sophomores & Juniors PSAT - $18 Sign up for PSAT online by Thursday, August 31, 2017. Pay Mrs. Brown in the main office by Thursday, August 31, 2017. Checks made payable to Piper High School https://goo.gl/forms/aJEyFVJn8MfRpaVd2

What is the PSAT? Assess skills in critical reading, math reasoning, and writing that are important for success in college. Assess your ability to reason with facts and concepts rather than the ability to recall them. Receive suggestions on how to improve your skills. Compare your skills with other college-bound students. Practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. Enter the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

What does the test consist of? CRITICAL READING (2-25 minute sections) 13 sentence completions 35 passage-based reading questions MATH (2-25 minute sections) 28 multiple choice 10 student-produced responses, or grid-ins WRITING SKILLS (1-30 minute section) 20 improving sentences 14 identifying sentence errors 5 improving paragraphs Go to www.collegeboard.org/psat for examples of the questions! If you sign up, you’ll get a practice test book as well!!! http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ psat/prep/tips.html

Should I take the PSAT? If you are enrolled in the following courses, consider taking the PSAT: Sophomores Honors English 2 Algebra 2 or higher Sophomores take this test for practice. Scores don’t count towards the National Merit Scholarship Program until the junior year. If you score well as a sophomore we recommend you take it as a junior.

What is National Merit Scholarship Competition? Typically, around 1.5 million students take the PSAT each year. About 50,000 will earn scores high enough to qualify for recognition National Merit Commended Student National Merit Semi-Finalist National Merit Finalist National Achievement Scholarship Program Students that receive recognition typically receive generous scholarships to the colleges they attend. More information can be found at www.collegeboard.org

When is the PSAT? DATE: Wednesday, October 11, 2017. TIME: 7:30 – approx. 11:00 COST: $18, cash or check made out to Piper High School If you are on free/reduced lunch and want to take the PSAT, please let Mrs. Vader know. REGISTRATION: Sign up for the test and pay the $18 fee by Thursday, August 31, 2017. Sign-up online via google form Turn in payment to Mrs. Brown

What if I don’t want to pay to take the PSAT? You do have the option for the Practice ACT Those that do not sign up for the PSAT or Practice ACT, will attend classes as normal

What is on the Practice ACT? The Practice ACT is given using “retired” ACT tests. ACT (The American College Test) Consists of 4 areas English – 75 questions Math – 60 questions Reading – 40 questions Science reasoning – 40 questions Writing (optional) – 30 minutes – Will not be given during the Practice ACT test Scores range from 0-36 with a 21 being an average score. One way to gain entrance into a Kansas State Regents University (KSU, PSU, ESU, WSU, FHSU, Washburn) is to score a 21 or higher on the ACT (KU requires a higher ACT score, but still used to gain entrance)

When is the Practice ACT? DATE: Wednesday, October 11, 2017. TIME: 7:30 – approx. 11:00 COST: free REGISTRATION: Sign up for the test will begin in mid-September. Sign-up online via google form- link will be sent via gmail accounts and in email blast

After I get my results from this test, what’s next? Sophomores PSAT Results will be in at the beginning of December. Use the results to help you find your areas of strength/weakness in order to improve scores for next year. Practice ACT If you plan to take the “real” ACT as a junior, plan to take the Practice ACT test at Wyandotte West library a couple times this school year.

Should I pay to take the “real” ACT? You should not take the “real” ACT until: December of your junior year if you are enrolled in Pre-Calculus February/April of your junior year if you are enrolled in Algebra 2 If you DO NOT intend to attend a FOUR year college upon graduation from high school, you DO NOT need to take the ACT. However, you can take it if you feel you would score high enough to get scholarships at the community college level, but you do not need it to gain entrance

High School website info https://www.piperschools.com/Page/183 Guidance

See Mrs. Vader or Mrs. Eckard.  Questions? See Mrs. Vader or Mrs. Eckard. 