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Top Factors in College Admissions Overall GPA SAT and ACT Scores Grades in college level courses/ strength of curriculum 2

There is $11 billion in merit-based aid to help pay for college. The 2 greatest factors that determine merit-based aid are SAT® or ACT® scores and high school grades. There is $11 billion in merit-based aid to help pay for college. If you are already a junior or senior, most of your grades have already been earned. Your SAT or ACT exam score hasn’t yet been determined – and it could be the most valuable four hours you spend during your high school career. Source: Calculated using the average institutional no-need and merit grant figure in National Postsecondary Student Aid Study by the National Center for Education Statistics and the number of students receiving that type of aid, which was approximately 2.1 million; 2008 NACAC Discussion Paper, Financial Aid and Admission: Tuition Discounting, Merit Aid and Need-aware Admission

Test Scores are Important A good test score can open the door to more colleges and academic scholarships. Merit based scholarships are based on two factors: SAT or ACT scores and high school grades Nearly 90% of colleges placed considerable or moderate importance on test scores* Some employers today are even asking to see applicant’s old SAT scores**

Test Taking Timeline Practice PSAT Official PSAT AP Tests Practice SAT or ACT SAT and/or ACT SAT or ACT Last chance! Fall Soph Spring Soph Fall Junior Spring Junior Fall Senior

PSAT Score Report Timeline Scores Delivered Electronically to schools: Dec 5, 2016 Scores Delivered Electronically to students: Dec 12, 2016 Hard Copies of Scores Mailed to Schools (Expected Delivery January 2017)

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National Merit

SAT Overview The SAT Reading Writing Math Math Essay Category Features 400-1600 scoring, 3 hours without essay Reading 65 minutes, 52 questions Writing 35 minutes, 44 questions Math 25 minutes, 20 questions, no calculator Reading and writing – long passages Math - lots of reading, lots of algebra and charts and graphs, no calc section Math 55 minutes, 38 questions, calculator Requires reading a passage, describing development of argument, 50 minutes long Essay

Optional Essays Essay Category Features Essay is optional 50 min on SAT, 40 min on ACT Asks students to write a timed essay on a given topic, integrating text content Essay Why would you do an essay if it’s optional?

SAT at a glance Reading 65 minutes 52 items Writing 35 minutes Structure Sections: Evidence-based Reading Evidence-based Writing Math (without calculator) Math (with calculator) Essay (optional) Scoring Total Score: 1600 (Reading + Writing = 800, Math + Math = 800) Sundry No guessing penalty Optional essay scored separately Reading 65 minutes 52 items Writing 35 minutes 44 items Math 25 minutes 20 items Math 55 minutes 38 items Essay 50 minutes (Optional) Total Time: 3hrs 50min (With optional essay)

SAT Scoring Composite Score Area Score: Math Test & Cross-Test Scores - Out of 1600 Points - Sum of the two Area Scores (Optional) Essay Score 3 separate scores for Reading, Writing, & Analysis, each from 2-8, Area Score: Math Out of 800 Points Area Score: Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing Out of 800 Points Test & Cross-Test Scores 3 Test scores: Math, Reading, Writing & Language 2 Cross-test scores: Science, Social Studies/History Scored out of a range of 10-40

Basic Test Taking Strategies Triaging the test Elimination Guessing A) B) C) D)

How can I prepare for the exams? 3 – 4 Months Before Test Day Study Plan ahead - Get a book, take a class - Register early - Do practice problems - Know your location - Know the format - Get your waiver - Have a strategy - Arrange accommodations As Test Day Approaches Pack 24 hrs - #2 pencils - Do something relaxing the night before – no cramming! - Calculator + batteries - Get a good night’s sleep - Sweater, water + snack - Eat a healthy breakfast - Ticket/registration, photo ID - Deep breath – you’ve got this!

Prep Smarter, Not Harder

Prep Options SAT Prep – starting at $749 Personalized instruction from an expert tutor, Live Online or In Person Private Tutoring Unlimited Prep - $1499 In Person, Live Online, & Self-Paced lessons for the PSAT, current SAT, new SAT, and ACT, plus Math Foundations Live instruction through an interactive online classroom or in person in a traditional classroom SAT Prep – starting at $749 SAT Prep Plus – starting at $1199 GPA Everything in a regular Prep course, plus 3 hours of Live Online Coaching, Math Foundations, and ACT digital resources Entrance Exams

A Question A Day Makes the Test Go Your Way! Receive a question per day in your inbox SAT Kaptest.com/satquestion ACT Kaptest.com/actquestion Answers reviewed in detail so you’re ready for the next one

For free, live online workshops, visit kaptest.com/hsevents Thank You! Christine.lilley@Kaplan.com For free, live online workshops, visit kaptest.com/hsevents