How to Evaluate a College & Testing: PSAT, SAT & ACT ASHS Counselors: Eric Vorchheimer & Rhonda Paules Kaplan K12 & College Prep: Amy Huss

College Process: Preparation Application Decision Making College Match: Academic Social Personal Test Scores: SAT ACT Test Optional

Preparation for College Academics- What are colleges looking at? Curriculum – CP / Honors / AP Grade Point Average (GPA) / Class Rank Standardized Test Scores Extracurricular activities / Letters of Recommendation

Application Process Use of Abington’s Naviance Program College specific websites College Applications – Online availability mid-July. Common Application open Aug 1. - Review of Essay Applications submitted -Fall of Senior year

Decision Making Final decision made based on variety of factors – Be an informed consumer If available – final visits to campus Decision for what college student will attend must be made by May 1 of senior year.

Academic Matches your academic credentials: your GPA/Test scores Does school have your intended major? Liberal arts, undecided, specific major. Other coursework that you may be interested in taking Possible minor Internships/co-op/study abroad

Social Nature of student body- i.e. coed, single sex, HBCU, Religious affiliations Clubs Activities Athletics

Personal Location- i.e. proximity to home, climate, flight vs. drive College visits- tours, information sessions, open house dates, college fairs, 3 excused days at AHS for college visits Size of school- large, medium, small setting Cost- tuition (public, private, in state vs. out of state,) room and board, travel expenses

PSAT’s New version of the SAT since March 2016 Taken on October 19th at AHS Results given back in January All students given an online access code to a personalized “quickstart” page: www.collegeboard.org/quickstart Learn more about personal skills Suggestions for improvement Career search based on interests College searches Personality test available

Kaplan Test Prep Free SAT/ACT combo test offered at Bryn Mawr college on Saturday, November 12th or free online at: www.kaptest.com/practicetestweekend Combined SAT/ACT test given on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at AHS Shortened version of both tests Full report given back to students/parents/guardians along with an explanation by a Kaplan representative Two additional prep options available: Free online course for ACT or SAT In-Person classes offered at Abington Information for Combined Test and In-Person Kaplan courses available on the Senior High Website under “Guidance” and then “Kaplan”

Test Structure/Format ACT Old SAT New SAT Length 3 hours 35 minutes (optional writing) 3 hours 45 minutes 3 hours 50 minutes (optional essay) Structure 4 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) plus optional writing portion 10 sections (3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, 1 experimental unscored) 4 sections (Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, Math w/Calculator, Math w/o Calculator) plus optional essay Scoring Score 1 - 36 Scores range from 600-2400; 800 highest score per section Scores out of 1600: 800 for Math and 800 for Evidence Based Reading/Writing Wrong Answer Penalty No Penalty ¼ of a point deduction from raw score for every wrong answer (except grid questions) Content Reading Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension; Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension; Words in Context; Evidence Based Math Arithmetic, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry Arithmetic, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II Algebra I, Data Analysis, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra II Science Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation, Basic Content, Problem Solving No Science No Science - but students ability to interpret charts, infographics, and data on science topics part of other portions Writing and Language Essay: Writing Test English: Writing and Language Multiple Choice questions Writing Tests Tests grammatical and rhetorical skills Essay Optional; Final Section; 40 minutes; topic relevant to high school students First Sections; 25 minutes; more abstract topic Optional; Final Section; 50 minutes; Topic comes from a 750 word passage read on test day

Test Dates for 2016-2017 ACT SAT December 10, 2016 December 3, 2016 February 11, 2017 January 21, 2017 April 8, 2017 March 11, 2017 June 10, 2017 May 6, 2017 June 3, 2017 All SATs offered at Abington Senior High School; April ACT offered at Abington Senior High School SAT registration: wwww.collegeboard.com ACT registration: www.actstudent.org *Fee Waivers available for students on free/reduced lunch*

Welcome Amy Huss, our Abington representative from Kaplan Test Preparation Services!