Penncrest High School Junior Parent Night 2014 2018

AGENDA Class of 2018 review Junior year calendar PSAT Overview SAT / ACT AP Testing Important Dates Naviance Walk Through

Class of 2018

Penncrest Class of 2018 SAT Scores Penncrest High School Junior Parent Night 2014 Penncrest Class of 2018 SAT Scores Penncrest Class of 2018 Critical Reading – 525 Math - 541 Writing – 517 Pennsylvania average SAT scores Critical Reading – 500 Math – 506 Writing - 481 National – Critical reading +11 Math + 14 Writing +4

Penncrest High School Junior Parent Night 2014 Setting a Target School SAT Scores Grade Point Average PSU – University Park 1305 3.53 Temple 1246 3.30 WCU 1196 3.28 Pitt 1333 3.57 Penn 1489 4.04 This data is gleaned directly from the schools and represents average score and gpa ranges. Students are urged to carefully research college choices and to understand the importance of grade point average and test scores. *** Junior year final grades are the last to appear on the transcript before applying to college the following fall.***

Junior Year Calendar PSAT / NMSQT October 10, 2018 Initiate college search: College fairs, Career Center, College Reps, Naviance, www.collegeboard.com, etc. Utilize POWR Days Financial Aid Night: Took place September 20, 2018 College and Career Planning Sessions: Beginning in November Plan Junior Year Testing Schedule: SAT, ACT , AP Prepare for the PSAT, Practice ACT, SAT, ACT, AP

PSAT PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 3.3 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT: 46% were eleventh graders, 53% were tenth graders or younger students.

Benefits of taking the PSAT Penncrest High School Junior Parent Night 2014 Benefits of taking the PSAT The best preparation for the SAT The entry point to compete for National Merit Scholarships The opportunity to receive information from colleges and scholarship services. Personalized feedback on critical reading, mathematics and writing skills to pinpoint areas for improvement and provide an early picture of college readiness.

PSAT/NMSQT Approximately 16,000 high school seniors qualify for Semifinalist status based on their performance on the PSAT Semifinalist status is selected from the top 1% of Selection Index Scores. The Selection Index is the cumulative total of the three sub tests (Evidenced Based Reading, Math, Writing).

PSAT Scoring Scale Math is scored from 160 to 760. Reading and Writing is scored together from 160 to 760. Math will make up half the total score. Reading and Writing sections will make up the other half together. Your score report will also give you a more detailed breakdown by section, scoring each one from 8 to 38.

When PSAT scores are returned The College Board will email students an access code to view their online score report approximately two months after they take the test. However, students will need to provide an email in order to create and access their scores via their www.collegeboard.org account.

Who doesn’t see PSAT scores? Colleges Don’t Receive Scores The College Board does not send PSAT/NMSQT or to colleges. These scores are not intended to be part of college admission decisions. They should not be included on student transcripts that will be reproduced and sent to colleges. You are allowed to withhold scores from college admission and athletic offices, even when colleges ask for them.

Who will be able to see your scores? Penncrest High School Junior Parent Night 2014 Who will be able to see your scores? The College Board sends PSAT/NMSQT to: Schools Districts (in many cases) States (in many cases) Student will need to access their scores online. National Merit Scholarship Corporation The College Board sends PSAT/NMSQT scores to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), the test’s cosponsor. Learn about the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Other Programs PSAT/NMSQT scores are automatically sent to these scholarship and recognition programs: National Hispanic Recognition Program  National Scholarship Service Telluride Seminar Scholarships Learn more about these programs. If you don’t want your scores released to these organizations, write to the PSAT/NMSQT program by Oct. 31 at this address: P.O. Box 6720 Princeton, NJ 08541-6720

Standardized Tests Colleges use standardized testing in the form of the SAT and ACT to evaluate students. An increasing number of colleges such as Temple University and St. Joseph’s University, are also test optional schools. Colleges also utilize grade point average Essays, activities, letters of recommendation are important to many schools.

Penncrest High School Junior Parent Night 2014 SAT The SAT is offered seven times during the school year: October 6, 2018 May 4, 2019 November 3, 2018 June 1, 2019 December 1, 2018 August 25, 2018 March 9, 2018 Students must register at least four weeks prior to test date at www.collegeboard.com Registration fee: $47.50 and with writing: $64.50 1

Khan Academy- SAT Prep Course Khan Academy allows students to import their PSAT results in order to create a personalized SAT Prep Course for free. Khan Academy also allows students to access a free personalized course based upon their SAT results.

ACT Offered six times per year: September 8, 2018 April 13, 2019 October 27, 2018 June 8, 2019 December 8, 2018 July 13, 2019 February 9, 2019 Students must register for the test at least four weeks before each test date at www.ACTStudent.org Registration fee: $46 and with writing $62.50

SAT/ACT Comparison SAT – ten sections: three Critical Reading, three Math, three writing, and one Experimental; the Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. ACT – five sections: English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing (optional)

SAT/ACT Comparison SAT Scoring: 200-800 per section, added together for a combined score- a 1600 is the highest possible combined score ACT Scoring: 1-36 for each subject with a total of four subject areas, averaged together for a composite score- a 36 is the highest possible composite score

SAT Subject Tests Subject Tests are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge. Colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Some colleges specify the Subject Tests that they require for admission; others allow applicants to choose which tests they take.

Subject Tests: Five Areas English: Literature History: U.S., World History Mathematics: Level 1, Level 2 Science: Bio, Chem, Physics Languages: Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Korean

Which Subject Tests Do I Take? Before deciding to take the tests, make a list of the colleges that you are considering. Then find out if the school requires the Subject Tests. This information can be found under the Admissions section of the colleges’ website. Many colleges that require Subject Test scores review them to gain a better picture of the student.

When should students take the tests? Most students take the Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year and at the beginning of the senior year. Take tests such as World History, Biology, Chemistry or Physics as soon as possible after completing the course while the material is still fresh in your mind. Questions? Speak to your guidance counselor.

AP Placement Program College-level courses taught in high school by high school teachers AP teachers use college-level materials and course descriptions developed by a committee of college faculty and AP teachers.

AP Examinations Administered in May (May 6-17) Approximately three hours long Composed of multiple-choice and free-response questions Free-response questions are graded by college professors and AP teachers in June and scores are reported in July AP exam grades range from 1 to 5

Penncrest High School Junior Parent Night 2014 Important Dates PHS calendar Guidance webpage Emails sent through Naviance Principal’ Weekly Update sent via email and posted on PHS website

Naviance Why do we use Naviance at Penncrest High School? How do students and parents log in? Walk through: career assessments, resume builder, occupation and career search, college search and colleges research.