Parenting Seminar: SAT/ACT Mr. Jeffrey Fuller 2/18/2010 HFHSCP

Outline Introduction to standardized testing What is the ACT Relation to college What is the SAT How to improve scores Test Dates

Why standardized testing? Colleges want to know what type of student they are receiving High-stakes funding and support Not all schools are created equal This places the burden on the student Allows colleges to “fairly” compare students on a standardized basis

How they are designed The tests are designed in a way that the "questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent“ Further, they are to be "administered and scored in a predetermined, standard manner.“ It is assumed a score stays consistent across testing dates

What they seek to find College Readiness Indicators A “standard” for students on an achievement scale A way to know if the GPA of students reflects their academic/ reasoning abilities A process with which all students are tested equal

Do grades matter? With all of this focus on testing, testing, and more testing, the question remains, do grades and everything else matter? The short answer: YES!!!!!!!!! But why? Grades are a major indicator of academic ability More importantly, showcases a willingness to continually learn

Can standardized scores assist student with low GPAs? Absolutely! - My college roommate This process is not a two-way street. A high GPA but low test score will leave colleges questioning the difficulty of the school (not the students willingness to do well) A low GPA but high test score will show colleges a clear academic ability (but not necessarily a willingness to stick with education)

What is the ACT? The American College Testing Program’s standardized aptitude test (1959) Changed in 1996 to simply, ACT Evaluates: College Readiness Current level of knowledge related to academics (What student’s know)

Breakdown of the ACT Subjects covered: English – 75 multiple-choice Math – 60 multiple-choice Reading – 40 multiple-choice Science – 40 multiple-choice Writing (optional)

Tips and Tricks of the ACT English – pretty much a reg. English test Know grammar Correct what you know Temporarily skip difficult Qs Math – the first 30 Qs are the easiest The second 30 are more difficult When going through the second 30, SKIP a Q you don’t know how to do and move on

Tips and Tricks cont. Reading – answer the question – they will be tricky and give additional info Answer what you know to be the answer Science – Asks for data interpretation Read the graphs carefully DO NOT assume you know from school

Tips and Tricks cont. Writing – 30 minutes (not much time) Read the topic and build an outline in your head Quickly write a brief outline – and have a pattern Build your essay from there Include: ideas that show topic understanding Clear and logical viewpoints – DO NOT SKIP AROUND Clarity and development are key – not structure

Tips and Tricks In general: Do not: Answer questions you know first Always go back and at least guess on the others There is no penalty for a wrong answer on the ACT Do not: Leave a question blank, you have a 25% chance of getting it right Make fun designs with the remaining questions Answer under 1 column, B

ACT - College Scores are reported by test date Can choose to submit one or another test date If with writing, both primary and writing are submitted if you request it to be sent

What is the SAT? Created by the College Board in 1901 Initially stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test Changed to just SAT at a later date Now known as: SAT 1 or SAT Reasoning Test SAT 2 or SAT Subject Tests

Breakdown of the SAT Critical Reading – 70 minutes Mathematics – 70 minutes Writing (Writing) – 25 minutes Writing (MC) – 35 minutes (25 + 10)

Tips and Tricks of the SAT: Critical Reading – 5 question types Details – Specific answers taken directly from the text Vocabulary – BE CAREFUL HERE!!! Writer’s will use words with multiple definitions Ex: transparent, consult, leaves Tone – Ask for a writer’s attitude Steer clear of strong tones Use process of elimination (POE)

Tips and Tricks: Critical Reading Implications – Perceived as most difficult What is the author inferring with regards to what he or she is saying? Be careful with P.O.E. Main Idea – What is the paragraph about? A big struggle for students This is difficult, as students are pressed for time, and will want to find the FIRST idea around

Tips and Tricks: Math Concepts covered Number and operations – Beginning concepts Algebra and functions – Getting difficult Geometry and measurement – “Oh boy” for some Data analysis, stats, probability – Run for the hills Tips: ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU CAN!!!! Get close? Remember, they figured out your wrong answers Lucky for students, harder Qs = less often

Tips and Tricks: Writing 25 minute timed writing – Rated 1 - 6 Read the question and background info While reading, develop your point of view Jot down your BRIEF outline There is no format to follow STICK WITH THE TOPIC! Draw in outside ideas (but citation) Ex: As Freud suggests… Think Critically – don’t be afraid to be different

Tips and Tricks: Writing 35 minute multiple choice Improving sentences – 25 Qs Identifying sentence errors – 18 Qs Improving paragraphs – 6 Qs Can a student critically analyze? Do they know how to improve upon ideas? Recognize grammar and sentence-structure errors Know transition words!! Edit essays!!

Tips and Tricks: SAT in General Always answer the questions you know If you have no idea, DO NOT answer the question Play the odds – assume each question = 1 point Wrong answer = -1/4 point (-25%) If…you know 1 answer is wrong, there is a 1/3rd chance of getting it correct (+33%), 2 = (+50%) Play the odds and GUESS

SAT – College ALL scores are submitted regardless of test date This is different from the ACT ALL SAT 1 and SAT 2s are submitted Cal State – Use the highest score from each curriculum area (Reading, Writing, Math) Allows you to combine scores from multiple tests University of California – The highest combined score All scores are sent though, so they see everything Private Schools – Varying, tend to lean toward UC

How to Prepare: both tests PRACTICE!!!! But make practice perfect “If you practice something 80 times, you will be not better off on the 80th than on your 1st. If you do perfect practice 80 times, each practice will show improvement.” – Mr. J What does this mean? Analyze what you did wrong, see where you can improve, and where you can worry less

How to Prepare Utilize testing aides. Get a CollegeBoard.com user account Question of the day Read difficult novels The biggest discrepancy between their generation and even 10 years ago is language Why? – look at what they are given in life Take challenging classes in school Play to your strengths

Today’s Question of the Day

Final Words The ability to take a standardized test is important from the months of March of their junior year through December of their senior year This ability does not determine future success If as a family you plan ahead, and take the necessary steps, you will meet the goals.