GCM College Testing Info Night Gardner Humphreys College & Career Center Specialist George C. Marshall HS Question: 1.Standardized tests are a lot of fun:

What are the Tests SAT, ACT, (TOEFL, ASVAB, etc.) SAT, ACT, (TOEFL, ASVAB, etc.) Trying to measure content learned or aptitude; about 4 hours Trying to measure content learned or aptitude; about 4 hours Provide a common yardstick Provide a common yardstick Both SAT and ACT widely accepted Both SAT and ACT widely accepted Not an IQ test, not the final word! Not an IQ test, not the final word!

Role in Admissions Most schools say grades and Most schools say grades and strength of schedule tops strength of schedule tops Scores used as check on a Scores used as check on a college's view of you; one more data point college's view of you; one more data point "Competitive" scores often mean a range, not a threshold; helpful if “on the bubble” "Competitive" scores often mean a range, not a threshold; helpful if “on the bubble” Value can depend on context: intended major, geographic region, gender, etc. Value can depend on context: intended major, geographic region, gender, etc. Weigh your time/energy/$ investment vs. return Weigh your time/energy/$ investment vs. return

What’s Inside SAT 3 scores: Reading Math Writing Scored ACT 5 scores: Reading Math (Writing) Science English Scored

Differences SAT vs. ACT No science CONTENT 35-min Science section Algebra 2 and functions, formulas provided MATH LEVEL Some trigonometry, no formulas provided Lose ¼ point SCORING / GUESSING No deduction Demanding LANGUAGE Plain Increases DIFFICULTY LEVEL Random

ACT Sections - Science One 35-minute section One 35-minute section 40 multiple-choice questions 40 multiple-choice questions Not like a school science test. Read science-based passages and answer questions about the passages. Not like a school science test. Read science-based passages and answer questions about the passages. Data Representation Data Representation Research Summaries Research Summaries Conflicting Viewpoints Conflicting Viewpoints

SAT Sections - Essay Essay measures your ability to: Essay measures your ability to: develop a point of view on an issue presented in an excerpt develop a point of view on an issue presented in an excerpt support your point of view using reasoning and examples support your point of view using reasoning and examples follow standard written English follow standard written English Essay about 30% of your Writing score Essay about 30% of your Writing score

SAT Subject Tests Only some colleges require SAT Subject Tests Up to 3 subjects per date Up to 3 subjects per date Cannot be taken the same day as the SAT Test Cannot be taken the same day as the SAT Test Timing – Junior spring? Timing – Junior spring? Not offered all dates Not offered all dates Sometimes ACT is enough Sometimes ACT is enough

SAT – Subject Tests Languages Languages Reading Only Reading Only Reading and Listening Reading and Listening Literature Literature U.S. History U.S. History World History World History Mathematics Level 1 (Thru Geometry) Mathematics Level 1 (Thru Geometry) Mathematics Level 2 (Thru precalc and/or trig) Mathematics Level 2 (Thru precalc and/or trig) Biology E/M (Ecological/Molecular) Biology E/M (Ecological/Molecular) Chemistry Chemistry Physics Physics Languages: Reading Only French German Modern Hebrew Italian Latin Spanish Languages: Reading and Listening Chinese French German Japanese Korean Spanish

Practice Tests At GCM: 9th Grade - ACT Explore 9th Grade - ACT Explore 10 & 11th Grade - PSAT (11 th - NSMQT) 10 & 11th Grade - PSAT (11 th - NSMQT) Reports back to class in December Reports back to class in December GCM should have extra copy GCM should have extra copy SAVE THAT REPORT or CODE!! SAVE THAT REPORT or CODE!!

The COMPOSITE SCORE is the average of the four core subject scores (rounded). The COMPOSITE SCORE is the average of the four core subject scores (rounded). ACT Explore

…SKILLS to work on to improve! …SKILLS to work on to improve! ACT Explore, cont.

What’s next? Use the access code on your report to log in to My College QuickStart, a personalized college and career planning kit. There you can: Search for colleges Get a personalized SAT study plan Take a personality test to find majors and careers that fit you PSAT Report

See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT. PSAT You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online in My College QuickStart ( art). art

Make a Plan 1. What level of scores are my goal? use Family Connection, other tools use Family Connection, other tools 2. Which tests are best? 3. Focus on low areas 4. Try ACT and SAT 5. Make a calendar 6. Try different methods, strategies

Family Connection & GCM Library Test Prep  Create a Parent View account fcps.blackboard.com

Family Connection & GCM Library Test Prep

GCM Ranges SAT Math Math Reading Reading Combined Combined ACT Composite Composite * Class of 2014 Fall (Not this kind)

The Middle 50% SATACT *VCU *VCU *GMU *GMU UVA UVA Tufts Tufts Beware Scattergram averages Beware Scattergram averages Look at context: school, region, major, etc. Look at context: school, region, major, etc.

Students register at: ACTwww.actstudent.orgSATwww.collegeboard.com Registering

Registration Steps 1. Pick date carefully 2. Get a fee waiver if you qualify 3. Select your 4 FREE colleges 4. Register online -- GCM not a site 5. Use official name and address 6. Decide if you want lots of mail! (SSS won’t send SSN, phone # or scores) (SSS won’t send SSN, phone # or scores)  Sign up for “Question of the Day”  Changes only until deadline, with fee

Test Day You slept, right? You slept, right? Practice finding site, visit the room = less unkowns, more knowns! Practice finding site, visit the room = less unkowns, more knowns! What to bring: What to bring: Ticket, ID, calculator, pencils, snack Ticket, ID, calculator, pencils, snack Checklist online Checklist online

Dates (no summer) SAT SAT ACT February 8 April 12 June 14 ACT has “standby” SAT has “waitlist”, require pre- registration

Fees SAT Reasoning Test $51.00 for regular + $45.00 if use wait list $51.00 for regular + $45.00 if use wait list $27.50 late/change fee $27.50 late/change fee Includes 4 score reports selected within 9 days of test. Includes 4 score reports selected within 9 days of test. SAT Subject Test $24.50 basic registration, $24.50 basic registration, + $13.00 per subject tests + $13.00 per subject tests + $24 for Listening tests + $24 for Listening tests Extra Reports = $11.25 each ACT $36.50 for basic test Includes 4 score reports selected up to test time $52.50 for basic + writing Standby + $45 Late registration + $23 Extra Reports = $12.00 each * See about Fee Waivers for FRL or special circumstances

Sending Scores Student responsibility Student responsibility Remember the 4 Free? Remember the 4 Free? Sent 3 weeks +/- after test date and posted online; after that 1-2 weeks after request, plus processing Sent 3 weeks +/- after test date and posted online; after that 1-2 weeks after request, plus processing Most use Superscore for SAT Most use Superscore for SAT Beware of Score Choice and Rush Beware of Score Choice and Rush Cost: 11$ per school

Common Questions NCAA Division I Sliding Scale , GPA NCAA Division I Sliding Scale , GPA AP and IB test scores AP and IB test scores Scores and admission calendar (ED, rolling, deferred, waitlist, etc.) Scores and admission calendar (ED, rolling, deferred, waitlist, etc.) Transferring Transferring Community College Community College Schools outside U.S. Schools outside U.S.

FREE TEST PREP gcmhslibrary.com – (ACT & SAT Subject Tests) GCM Library\Databases\Career, College, Lifeskills\Testing gcmhslibrary.com – (ACT & SAT Subject Tests) GCM Library\Databases\Career, College, Lifeskills\Testing gcmhslibrary.com collegeboard.org/practice -- PSAT code at My College QuickStart and SAT “Question of the Day” or iTunes app collegeboard.org/practice -- PSAT code at My College QuickStart and SAT “Question of the Day” or iTunes app actstudent.org/sampletest – practice questions and sample writing prompts and essays actstudent.org/sampletest – practice questions and sample writing prompts and essays FREE study guides and practice tests in Career Center – Learn, after school, Mondays FREE study guides and practice tests in Career Center – Learn, after school, Mondays Teacher Workdays – Jan. 27 & 28 Online Practice Tests Teacher Workdays – Jan. 27 & 28 Online Practice Tests

Merit Aid & Scholarships  Examples:  Longwood – 1200 SAT/3.5 gets $8,500/yr  Ferrum – 1200 SAT/3.5 gets $20,000/yr  Check Family Connection; finaid.org; meritaid.com  Check with admissions and financial aid  Scholarship Dates: e.g. GMU is Nov. 1 !

Test Optional Colleges Verify with each college. Often have requirements in order to qualify (e.g. GMU: 3.5, course strength, extracurriculars, teacher letter, estimated top 20%) Verify with each college. Often have requirements in order to qualify (e.g. GMU: 3.5, course strength, extracurriculars, teacher letter, estimated top 20%) List of some colleges at List of some colleges at

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