College Admissions Tests Understanding the ACTs and SATs

Cost of Tuition and Fees for 2013-2014 Year Averages by State (in-state tuition) Public 2 Year Public 4 Year Nevada $2,700 $6,387 California $1,424 $9,037 Utah $3,311 $5,906 Oregon $3,290 $6,583 Idaho $3,686 $6,325 Arizona $2,323 $10,065 *When you add in books, personal expenses, and transportation costs cost of attendance at IU and Purdue are more like $23,000. USI includes everything for the year; Room & Board at VU is about $8,000; if student commutes cost for tuition is about $4,900. While private schools are more expensive, typically can offer more in financial aid & scholarships. (Average financial aid award @ UE is over $21,000; vast majority of students @ UE receive some type of financial aid.)

High Test Scores Benefits UNR Incentives: If your GPA is below a 3.0, this can be waived if your ACT is a combines 22 or your SAT is a 1040 for Critical Reading and Math combined. Presidential Scholarship: If your GAP is a 3.5 and your ACT is 31 or your SAT is 1360, you get $5,000 to use over four years

Academic Index- GPA and Test Scores Combined! Silver and Blue Level The Silver & Blue scholarship level provides $2,500 for the academic year for students with an academic index of 90 and above. Nevada Scholars Level $1,500 for the academic year with an index of 89-80. Pack Pride Level $1,000 for the academic year with an index of 79-73. Entering freshmen students must have a minimum 3.00 cumulative unweighted high school GPA to qualify. These scholarships may be awarded from several different donor funds totaling $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000 annually.  Use the Academic Index Calculator Here 

What is the SAT/ACT? College Admission Tests Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) by CollegeBoard American College Test (ACT) by ACT

Why take the SAT/ACT? Critical in Admission and Scholarship decisions Colleges will be looking at course selection, grades earned, GPA, Class Rank, and TEST SCORES when making admissions decisions Any 4-year institution will require SAT or ACT scores (Check w/other schools) & some scholarship programs Only objective way for colleges to evaluate student’s readiness for college-level work

SAT vs. ACT

SAT Critical Reading Math Writing (Essay makes up ~30% of total writing score.) Average score is about 500 on each section of the test Each section is scored on the 200-800 scale, where 200 is lowest and 800 is highest

SAT (cont.) For each correct answer, the student earns one point For a wrong answer to a multiple-choice question, the student loses ¼ point. No points are deducted for unanswered questions or for wrong answers to math student-produced response questions (not multiple-choice).

ACT English Math Reading Science Writing (Optional, but required by many colleges)

ACT (cont.) Average Composite Score (21.0) *The composite score is an average of the four test scores (Eng, Math, Reading, & Science) Each test is scored on the 1-36 scale, where 1 is lowest and 36 is highest All questions multiple-choice (except Writing Test)

When do I take the SAT/ACT? Spring of Junior Year Allows enough time to test again and still meet deadlines Some admission and scholarship decisions are made in Early Fall Most universities will tell you to take SAT/ACT during the spring of your junior year

What does it cost? SAT - $50.00 (Late Registration $27.00) ACT - $35.00 (Late Registration $22.00) ACT Plus Writing - $50.50

How do I register? Online (preferred) or Paper-Pencil www.collegeboard.org (SAT) www.actstudent.org (ACT) Limited registration materials available in the guidance office Barr-Reeve School Code: 152395

Additional Registration Information Select four institutions you wish to receive your scores (May request more than four, but requires extra fee.) Must include high school code 290265 or we will not receive your test scores (Could delay college application process)

Additional Registration Information (cont.) If you are considered low-income, ask Ms. Phelps about fee waivers Students with IEPs may be eligible to receive accommodations; Must fill out form (See Ms. Bollinger)

Additional Registration Information (cont.) Students planning on registering with the NCAA Clearinghouse MUST request all ACT and SAT scores be reported directly to NCAA. (Code 9999) If you plan on taking the ACT, check to see if your college requires the optional Writing portion

Understanding Deadlines… 2014 SAT DATES All will be taken at Reed High School TEST DATE REGULAR REGISTRATION DEADLINE COST PER TEST October 11th September 12th $52.50 November 8th October 9th December 6th November 6th

Understanding Deadlines (cont.)… 2014-2015 ACT DATES All will be taken at Reed High School Fee No Writing; $38.00 With Writing: $54.50 TEST DATE REGULAR DEADLINE October 25th September 19th December 13th November 7th February 7th January 9th April 18th March 13th June 13th May 8th

A word on cell phones…. Cell phone use is prohibited If their phone makes any noise or a student is seen using a cell phone (even during breaks), the student may be dismissed immediately, his/her scores canceled, and the device may be confiscated. Also applies to any other digital/electronic equipment (iPod, iPad, laptop, etc.)

A word on cell phones (cont.).. Testing staff has right to deny admission to anyone in possession of a cell phone or other prohibited electronic device. DON’T BRING IT!

Admission Tickets Students can print their Admission Tickets from the testing center’s website Students who provide an email address will also receive an Admission Ticket by email. No one will gain entry to testing room without an Admission Ticket

Acceptable Identification Acceptable photo identification in English is required Identification must be current, recognizable and bear the student’s name exactly as it appears on the student’s Admission Ticket

Acceptable Identification (cont.) A Driver’s License IS an acceptable form of identification. A Social Security Card, Credit Card, Parent’s Driver’s License, Hunting License, Birth Certificate are NOT acceptable forms of identification.

Test Taking Tips Guessing on the ACT: Because there is no penalty for guessing on the ACT multiple-choice tests, it is to the student’s advantage to answer every question. A student’s raw score on each multiple-choice test is simply the number of correct responses.

Questions?