PSAT 2015

What is the PSAT A practice for the SAT – The PSAT and the SAT evaluate the same skills The score report gives personalized feedback on strengths and weaknesses By taking the PSAT in 11 th grade the student may be eligible to participate in the National Merit Scholarship competition

PSAT Facts The PSAT is offered once a year (usually the 3 rd Sat. in Oct.) This yr the date is 10/14/2014. THIS IS A SCHOOL DAY. Registration is through the school and usually begins the 3 rd week of Sept. (10 th and 11 th grade students receive registration information) This year registration is open 9/21/15 – 10/17/15. Cost of the PSAT (2015)

PSAT Content Reading – All Reading Test questions are multiple choice and based on passages. – Some passages are paired with other passages or informational graphics, such as charts, graphs, and tables. – Questions will test students on: Analysis in history/social studies Analysis in science Understanding words in context Their command of evidence

Math – Most questions are multiple choice, some are student produced responses – Two parts, Calculator and calculator not permitted – Some questions ask students to solve problems grounded in science, social science, career scenarios, and other real- life contexts

Writing – All Writing and Language Test questions are multiple choice and based on passages. – Some passages are paired with informational graphics such as charts, graphs, and tables. – Questions will test students on: Analysis in history/social studies/science Standard English conventions Understanding words in context Their command of evidence

PSAT Scoring Scores will provide an enhanced profile of students’ knowledge, skills, and understandings as well as early feedback on students’ college and career readiness. PSAT/NMSQT Score ReportedDetailsScore Range Total score Sum of the two section scores.320–1520 Section scores (2) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. 160–760 Test scores (3) Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. 8–38 Cross-test scores (2) Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. Based on selected questions in the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests. 8–38 Subscores (7) Reading and Writing and Language: Command of Evidence and Words in Context. Writing and Language: Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions. Math: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math. 1–15

Who should take the PSAT Juniors (even if taken earlier for practice) for all students planning to attend a four-year college immediately after high school. Why? – The PSAT is "Normed" for Juniors (which means they'll have the proper background of coursework to give them the best practice for, and the most accurate prediction of, SAT scores) 10 th Graders who have scored high enough on other standardized tests (above the 90 th percentile) may benefit by taking the PSAT for practice a year earlier than the Junior year administration

Sophomores The PSAT is recommended for high achieving sophomores who are planning on attending a four year college after high school. The PSAT in 10 th grade is a practice for the PSAT in 11 th. The PSAT score from 11 th grade is the only score that is used for possible National Merit qualification.

Preparing for the PSAT The best way to prepare for the PSAT is to take challenging courses and to read and write in and outside of the classroom After the student registers they are given a practice guide to use for test hints and practice Visit the site below for more help g/psat/prep.html

After the PSAT Students typically receive their scores early in December. This may be delayed this year. Their test books are also returned with their answer sheets Students should review their answers and assess why they missed a question All students who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive free access to My College QuickStart, a personalized college planning tool that complements the Score Report. Visit ores/report.html for more information.My College QuickStart ores/report.html

The SAT

What is the SAT? Standardized college admission exam Research has shown a correlation between test scores and how a student does their first year in college Content includes critical reading, math reasoning, and writing skills

SAT Facts The SAT is offered 7 times/year – 4x at Shaler (Oct., Jan., March, and June) The test is 3 hours and 45min of testing time There are three kinds of questions – Multiple choice – Student-produced responses (in the math section only) – Essay – Cost of the SAT – $54.50 w/ essay for the entire yr – $43 (March – June), no essay

SAT Content Critical Reading – Reading passages – Sentence completion Math Reasoning – Arithmetic operations – Algebra and geometry – Probability and statistics Writing – Essay – Multiple choice on identifying errors and improving grammar and usage

SAT Scoring The SAT has three scores – Critical reading – Math reasoning – Writing Two sub scores: Essay 2 – 12 (1/3) Multiple Choice 20 – 80 (2/3) – Ave score for a Shaler student in 2015: CR 509, M 503, W 488 – Students should send their scores directly to the college of their choice by filling in the college code where indicated when registering. Many schools will not accept scores on the transcript.

The Redesigned SAT Scheduled to debut in March 2016 Changes – 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and an optional essay – No penalty for guessing – Key content changes Words in context Command of evidence – interpret, use, and synthesize evidence Essay analyzing a source – how an author builds an argument to persuade Math that matters most – Problem solving, data analysis, algebra, complex equations Problems grounded in real-world context Analysis in Science/Social Studies/History Great Global Conversations and US Founding documents

Changes continued Scoring – Scale ranging from 400 to 1600 – Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three dimensions for Essay – Essay results reported separately

Who should take the SAT Juniors should plan to take the SAT at least twice A senior may want to take the SAT in the fall of their senior year if they are not happy with their first score

Preparing for the SAT The best way to prepare for the SAT is to take challenging courses and to read and write in and outside of the classroom The CollegeBoard has a number of free online practice tools, visit sat.collegeboard.com/practice SAT prep courses: available at local libraries, CCAC, Shaler HS, Princeton Review (these can be very expensive) Private tutor Remember any SAT prep course is only as valuable as the effort a student is willing to put into it Khan Academy

SAT Subject Tests Hour long content based exams that demonstrate achievement in specific subject areas Only required by top tier schools (check each school to determine if there is a need to take) The best time to take the exam is after the student has completed the HS course in that subject area (typically June after junior year) Register at sat.collegeboard.com Practice information is available at sat.collegeboard.com/practice

The ACT

What is the ACT Standardized college admission exam Research has shown a correlation between test scores and how a student does their first year in college Content includes five curriculum-based tests: English, Reading, Math, Science, and optional Writing

ACT Facts The ACT is offered 6 times/year – 2x at Shaler (Oct. and April) The test is 2 hours and 55 minutes, and an additional 30 minutes if the optional writing test is chosen, of testing time There are two kinds of questions – Multiple choice – Essay (optional) Cost of the ACT $39.50 (no writing), $56.50 (plus writing)

ACT Content English – Usage/mechanics – Rhetorical skills – language understanding Math – Algebra 1 & 2 and geometry Reading – Comprehension Science – Interpretation, analysis, and problem solving skills required in the natural sciences Writing – Essay

ACT Scoring The ACT score range is 1-36 for each subject area The composite score is an average of the four test scores (does not include writing) rounded to the nearest whole number Ave. score for a Shaler student in 2014: Composite 23.8  Students should send their scores directly to the college of their choice by filling in the college code where indicated when registering. Many schools will not accept scores on the transcript.

Who should take the ACT? Juniors should plan to take the ACT at least once in the spring of their junior year A senior may want to take the ACT in the fall of their senior year if they are not happy with their first score

Preparing for the ACT The best way to prepare for the ACT is to take challenging courses and to read and write in and outside of the classroom The ACT has a number of free online practice tools, visit Private tutor