Junior College Prep 2/1/18

Link PSAT Scores with Khan Academy

Khan Academy Khan Academy will personalize your SAT practice so that you focus on the areas that need it the most. Khan Academy also has eight full length practice tests, interactive practice, and instant feedback on how you are doing. Twenty hours of practice on Khan Academy is associated with an average 115 point score increase from the PSAT to the SAT!

Step 1 Create College Board account at collegeboard.org

Step 2 Click Name

Step 3 Click “PSAT/NMSQT Scores”

Step 4 If you don’t see your scores, click “Matching Tool”

Step 5 Create Khan Academy account at satpractice.org

Step 6 Select “SAT”

Step 7 Click “Start”

Step 8 Click “Sign in to CollegeBoard.org”

Step 9 Sign in to College Board

Step 10 Give Khan Academy permission to access College Board account

Step 11 Allow Khan Academy to share your activity with College Board

Step 12 Click “Choose your practice schedule”

Step 13 Select April 24, 2018 SAT School Day

Step 14 Set reminders

Step 15 Set four full practice test days

Step 16 Set skill practice days. With 11 weeks left, 1.25 hours/week is recommended

Step 17 Click “Practice” to get started

Usernames & Passwords Create document in College Work Folder called “Usernames & Passwords” Type College Board and Khan Academy usernames and passwords in document

Standardized Tests

SAT The SAT is three hours long with an optional 50 minute essay. Students are encouraged to complete the essay at least once because some colleges require it (mostly highly competitive schools). The test measures Math and Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing skills. The Math Test focuses in-depth on three essential areas of math: Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Algebra, and Advanced Math. The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the SAT Essay ask you to interpret, synthesize, and use evidence found in a wide range of sources. These sources include informational graphics, such as tables, charts, and graphs, as well as multiparagraph passages in the areas of literature and literary nonfiction, the humanities, science, history and social studies, and on topics about work and career. Scores range from 400 to 1600. There is no penalty for guessing.

ACT The ACT is two hours and 55 minutes long with an optional 40 minute Writing Test. Students are encouraged to complete the essay at least once because some colleges require it (mostly highly competitive schools). The test measures Reading, English, Math and Science skills. Reading - Measures reading comprehension. English - Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills. Math - Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12. Science - Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. Optional Writing Test - Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses. Scores range from 1 to 36.  There is no penalty for guessing.

Major Differences ACT SAT Separate Science section Can use calculator for entire Math section Less time to answer questions Only some schools will super score the ACT SAT Science is integrated into Evidence Based Reading and Writing and Math sections There is a Math – No Calculator section More time to answer questions Most schools will super score the SAT

Testing Recommendations Students should take both the SAT and the ACT or do practice tests to see which test they prefer. Practice ACT Then the student should take their preferred test at least twice. I don’t usually see an increase in scores after the third sitting. Students can test in the senior year, but they must make sure that the scores will arrive to the college before the deadline. Test scores without the essay are available in roughly two weeks Test scores with the essay are available in roughly one month

Sending Test Scores When you register for the SAT, you get four free sends. If you don’t know where you are applying to at that time, don’t worry about it. You typically do not send scores until you are ready to apply during your senior year. Students are responsible for sending scores to each college directly from the testing agency. Some schools may take self-reported scores. All schools will accept the SAT and ACT. Students should send whichever test they did their best on (SAT or ACT) unless the college requires you to send all test scores (elite colleges).

SAT Subject tests Some highly competitive colleges require SAT II Subject Tests. Subject tests should showcase the student’s academic strengths. Subject Areas: Mathematics, History, Science, Languages and English Each test is one hour in length and is subject specific. SAT II Subject Tests are administered on the same day as the SAT. Students cannot take the SAT II Subject Tests and the SAT on the same date. Students may take up to three SAT II Subject Tests on a single test date.  Colleges Using SAT Subject Tests

Test Optional Some schools offer test optional policies where students do not have to submit their standardized test scores for admissions purposes. Some schools only let students apply as test optional if they have a certain GPA. In most cases, to be considered for merit based scholarships, the student should still submit test scores, even if he/she applies as test optional. If test scores are below the school’s ranges, the student should consider applying as test optional. If test scores are within the school’s ranges, the student should not apply as test optional. Test optional schools