Preparing for College College Tests: AP, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, & Placement

College Entrance Exams: Overview Quick overview of the different tests Look at the different individual tests Discuss how the SAT and ACT are scored Bring attention to the “fee waiver” opportunity Quick look at the different test dates and times College Placement Exams Short question & answer period

The Different College Entrance Exams AP Exams: –Advanced Placement –Course specific tests PSAT/NMSQT: –Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test & National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test –Practice for the SAT –Required for scholarships and Governor's Honors Program SAT: –Scholastic Aptitude Test –Considered to be the standard for college/university admissions ACT: –American College Test –Considered to be an alternative to SAT

Advanced Placement Examinations Designed for advanced high school students College freshman courses in high school Course specific Test students in early May Layout of test –Multiple Choice section –Free Response section(s)

PSAT/MMSQT Test is an aptitude test Considered to be a practice and/or predictor for the SAT (same basic format) Also used by different scholarship programs for qualification Is the test for National Merit Scholarships State of Georgia uses test for qualifying for the Governor's Honors Program

SAT Purpose: –Assess college readiness & potential success –One aspect of college admissions criteria

SAT Format: –Lasts 3 hours & 45 minutes –Divided into 8 sections –Each section lasts 20 to 35 minutes –Question format Multiple choice (all 3 skill-areas) Sentence completion (critical reading) Student-produced responses (math) Essay (writing)

SAT Skills Tested: –Critical Reading Literary skills Relationships Cause & effect Readings from sciences, humanities, social sciences, and literary fiction –Mathematics Numbers & operations Algebra I and II, Geometry, and Statistics –Writing Recognition of errors and writing improvement Essay development and writing on an issue

ACT Purpose: –It is an achievement test –Measures knowledge & skills –Only one portion of the criteria for college admissions

ACT Format: –Test lasts 2 hours and 55 minutes (without writing) –If take the writing test, add 30 minutes –Four major sections –Each section lasts 35 to 55 minutes

ACT Skills Tested: –English Grammar Rhetorical skills –Mathematics Basic math skills through grade 11 Basic formulas & computation skills –Reading Direct & indirect meaning Reference & reasoning –Science Earth science, physical science, &/or biology Use of data, summaries, conflicting viewpoints Application of the scientific method

Test Scoring SAT: –Based on number of correct answers minus ¼ point for each incorrect answer –Scale of 200 to 800 for each section –Essay scores 0 to 12 –Based on 1600 (old test) or 2400 (new test) –Use bell curve with each section close to 500 ACT: –Based on number of correct answers –Each section scored from 1 to 36 & then averaged –Language Arts = 2/3 English & 1/3 for Writing –Essay scored by two readers range = 2 to 12, then averaged –Average scores

Fee Waivers Must be eligible: –US citizen –High school student –In financial need Must register: –Contact appropriate testing service –On-line or mail –Must go through guidance department

Test Registration SAT: –Paper Packet from Guidance –Online at –Use “Register Now for the SAT” box ACT –Paper Packet from Guidance –Online at –Use the box titled “The Test”

2007 Registration &Testing Dates PSAT –October 18,2006 (during school day) ACT –Registration Dates January 5, 2007 March 9, 2007 May 4, 2007 –Test Dates February 10, 2007 April 14, 2007 June 9, 2007 SAT –Registration Dates November 1, 2006 December 20, 2006 February 2, 2007 March 29, 2007 April 27,2007 –Testing Dates December 2, 2006 January 27, 2007 March 10, 2007 May 5,2007 June

College Placement Tests Purpose to assess skills and abilities of entering undergraduates SAT or ACT test performance may exempt student from placement test(s) Used to enroll new undergraduates in appropriate courses: –Remedial courses –Higher level courses

Q & A Any concerns? Any questions?