Testing Explained APT® PSAT/NMSQTT®

AP EXAMS Advanced Placement courses are Freshman college-level courses offered at the high school. At the end of the course, students take an exam AP Exam scores range from 1-5 with a 3 or better typically earning them college credit. The credit is not graded

AP Exams AP Exams are administered by schools on set dates each May. Exams are approximately three hours. Each AP Exam contains: Multiple-choice questions Free-response questions (essay- problem-solving)

AP Exam Fees The AP Exam fee for 2017 is $94 per exam. AP Exams typically give 5 to 6 credits 6 credits at the U of U are worth approx. $1200+ Parents ask “how does my child get a scholarship?” Take an AP class and pass the exam. If your school is located outside of the United States, Canada, and U.S. Territories and Commonwealths, and is not a U.S. Department of Defense Dependents School, the 2011 exam fee is $117. The 2011 exam fee for exams administered at College Board-approved testing centers outside of the United States (e.g., National Education Examinations Authority, People’s Republic of China) is $143. Information about AP fee reductions can be found at: www.collegeboard.com/apfeereductions Information about additional state and federal funding for AP Exam fees can be found at: www.collegeboard.com/apexamfeeassistance

AP Courses Offered at Bountiful: American History Studio Art Art History Biology Calculus AB or BC Chemistry Computer Science English Language English Literature Environmental Science European History French Music Theory Physics Psychology Spanish Statistics US Government Comparative Government Total 19

How Do AP Credits Transfer? Don’t Judge Based on What the Neighbor Said… It Depends on Your University

How Do AP Credits Transfer How to find out how AP credit will transfer… Use the search bar on any college website AP Credit

Top 5 Reasons to Take AP 1. AP courses help students develop the key skills they need to succeed in college. 2. Students can earn college credit while in high school, saving time and tuition money. 3. AP classes increase students chances of graduating from college in four years instead of the typical five years, saving thousands of dollars. 4. Students will take classes with others that are college bound and have similar goals. 5. AP classes help students stand out in the college admissions process. Only one in four students who enter college complete a bachelor’s degree in four years.* A recent study** showed that students taking AP courses and exams were much more likely to earn a college degree in four years. For example, AP English Literature students had four-year college graduation rates that were 62% higher than students that had not taken AP English Literature.

AP vs. Honors What should a student do if he/she has to choose between an AP class and an Honors class? Both have increased work loads Both prepare students for college 85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.** This is particularly true with BYU and the U of U AP classes offer the college credit opportunity Discussion topic: How can parents help support their children?   Encourage time management Remind them to prioritize Recommend they form study groups Designate specific areas for homework and studying

ACT Exam Preferred entrance exam for Utah colleges and universities The ACT is accepted by all colleges and universities in the US 4 Hour Exam

The ACT Test English: 75 questions Mathematics: 60 questions Pre-Algebra (23%) Algebra 1 (17%) Geometry (38%) Algebra 2 (15%) Trigonometry (7%) Reading: 40 questions Science: 40 questions

The ACT Test The writing portion is optional No colleges or universities in the state require the writing portion. The 2017–2018 basic registration fee is $46.00 See Mrs. Willard for fee waiver if needed Offered six times a year at BHS (TR: Dec.,April, June) Residual ACT offered at colleges All Juniors will be given the exam on February 27th, FREE

New ACT Security Procedures When registering, students must upload a acceptable photo that will print with their admission ticket. Students must have their admission ticket and a photo ID or they will not be allowed to test. No Exceptions. No walk in or standby test takers will be allowed.

Why ACT is Important

Does it help to take the ACT more than once? ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once: 57% increased their composite score on the retest 21% had no change in their composite score on the retest 22% decreased their composite score on the retest

How often can students take the ACT? Up to twelve times We recommend multiple attempts, beginning in the junior year. After Secondary Math III. Not recommended for sophomores

How Can Students Raise Their Score? Take advanced coursework in high school Participate in a formal preparation course Free: Learning Express Library, act.org, Shmoop High school prep classes Colleges offer ACT prep courses Kaplan, Strategic ACT Prep, etc. Take the exam multiple times

SAT Preferred college entrance exam for many schools outside Utah, especially back East Accepted by all US colleges and universities Does not include science/has more math Its not harder or easier than the ACT, just different. Administered at the U of U, Weber, East High

PSAT/NMSQT Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test-National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test or P-SAT Prepares students for the SAT Students that do very well can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship A $2,500 scholarship Being a finalist can lead to other scholarship opportunities

NMSQT/PSAT For Juniors (NMSQT)/For Sophomores (PSAT) Given at Bountiful High on Wed. October 11th, Students will miss morning classes (A-Day) Pay the $20.00 dollar fee in the Business Office A limited number of test are available

Questions?