1 applerouth COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING MAMARONECK HIGH SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 2015 Jill Steinberg Director of Business Development Applerouth Tutoring Cathy Quackenbush Head of Guidance Dept Mamaroneck High School

2 applerouth How important are the tests? Grades in college preparatory classes Strength of curriculum/academic rigor Test scores Essays

3 applerouth Why are these tests important to admissions? Standardized- easy to compare across geographic and demographic lines Huge boom in the # of applicants Efficient way to make big cuts Moderately useful predictor of success in college

4 applerouth Today the SAT and ACT are universally accepted Any college will take either the SAT or ACT without prejudice

5 applerouth Quick Intro to the Assessments Aptitude Achievement

6 applerouth A Quick anatomy of 2 tests Abstract Foreign Easier to coach Learn the language of, solve the mysteries of the test Concrete Familiar Comparatively less coachable Practice, get more familiar with the test ACTSAT

applerouth 7 SATACT Section Score Total Score Timing3h 45m2h 55m # of sections10 short4 long Mathtricky wordingtougher concepts Grammarrequired essayoptional essay Readingvocabularyno vocabulary Scienceno sciencescience section Guessing Penalty–0.25 points perno penalty for missed questionmissed questions Basic Differences: SAT vs ACT

8 applerouth Which test should I try first? Ideally, take a full-length diagnostic of all 3, to establish baselines (ok to use PSAT). Many places offer for free. Three-Step Analysis: –1. Start with your STRENGTH. If none, –2. Prep to your PREFERENCE. If still none, –3. Choose the more STABLE test, the ACT. If you are worried about the SAT change, prep for the ACT.

9 applerouth What about the PSAT? Wednesday October 14 (given in school) and Saturday February 27 October PSAT is a preliminary for the NEW SAT Prepare only if you are a junior on the cusp of the National Merit Scholarship. Otherwise, the PSAT is practice National Merit Selection Index for NY: 218 Example: 73CR + 73M + 72W=218 (equivalent to 2180 of 2400 on SAT) This is a very competitive score! Roughly top 0.5% of students in the state will be eligible for scholarship.

10 applerouth The “new” SAT- March 2016 CURRENT SAT Reading Comprehension –Vocabulary –Reading passages Math –Helpful tips and tricks to work around problems (pick numbers) Writing –Correct separate sentences Essay –Factored into Writing score Guess penalty No science NEW SAT Align with Common Core standards Reading Comprehension vocabulary in context “Founding documents” featured in passages Math Less opportunity for tips and tricks Higher-level math (pre-calc/trig) Writing Grammar and rhetorical questions within context of passage Essay Optional; schools may still require No penalty for guessing Science-type questions added to math and verbal sections

11 applerouth TRENDS Super-scoring the SAT and ACT  Cherry Picking scores: rewards multiple iterations  No prejudice against multiple sittings Sending all scores (elite schools only) Students taking (and sending) both SAT and ACT

12 applerouth SAT Subject Tests Of the 3,000 + US colleges, only roughly 100 use Subject Tests for admissions How many to take? check college websites Timing: May and June are ideal, aligned with APs Some schools accept the ACT as a replacement for the SAT+ SAT subject tests: UC Systems dropped Subject Tests for class of 2012 and beyond. Proves the point that every school is different: UC says: “You will not be penalized for failing to take the SAT Subject Tests. On the other hand, submission of these test scores may add positively to the review of your application “

13 applerouth Suggested Timelines How do I do the right things at the right time? Caveat! Each student has his or her own schedule, activities, and requirements to work around. This is a general timeline.

14 applerouth Sophomore Year Timeline Oct: Take the PSAT. It’s practice this year, but if you score high, you’ll probably want to do some prep before next year. Feb – May: Take your first mock SAT/ACT exams to determine which test you prefer. OctJan PSAT FebMarAprMay First mock SAT/ACT exams

15 applerouth Juniors: SAT options with SAT change Fall 2015, 4 tests given before it changes There is still time New PSAT for Class of 2017 and 2018 Final Old SAT “Burn your flashcards.” New SAT released! October 2015 January 2016 March 2016 November 2015 December 2015 Juniors will straddle the old and new SAT May 2016 June 2016 Scores for March and May will be held until June, to be used for calibrating the curve

16 applerouth Juniors: ACT remains constant Septembe r 2015 February 2016 April 2016 October 2015 December 2015 June 2016 ACT administrations February test is NOT given in New York. Sign up in CT or NJ

17 applerouth Junior Year Timeline January - February : Register for spring AP exams. Meet with guidance counselor to discuss college list, school visits, explore financial aid/ scholarships/ grants for college. Visit some schools. May – June: Take APs, SAT subject tests, ACT, SAT: prep courses as needed. June - August  Make a college list and collect applications  Begin applications/essays  Set up interviews and college visits

18 applerouth Senior Year Timeline Summer: Stay involved in extracurricular activities. August: Strong academic schedule. APs are ideal. Keep grades solid. September-November  SAT/ACT final push if needed  Meet with your guidance counselor for application advice  Finish early applications October: ED deadlines

19 applerouth Test Prep at MHS MOCK TESTS: SAT – Sept 12, Oct 24 ACT – Nov 21 CLASSES: SAT Class: Begins September 12 DEADLINE TOMORROW! (Leads up to Nov SAT) ACT Class: Begins September 26 (Leads up to Dec ACT) (Sign up info on handout)

20 applerouth Questions? Contact us at or Jill Steinberg