1. WELCOME TO SAT PREP Jenni Mackey Jennifer.mackey@springbranchis d.com

2. SURE SCORE Designed to prepare students for every section of the SAT exam and increase their general content mastery, SureScore’s SAT preparation course combines strategies with real-world activities that encourage students to expand their test-taking skills and subject-matter knowledge.

3. CALENDAR 1 st six weeks: English Strategies  Pre-Diagnostic Test  Vocabulary  Sentence Completion  Writing: Multiple Choice/Essay  Long and Short Passages  Critical Reading 2 nd six weeks: Math Strategies  Basic Operations  Algebra  Geometry  Data Analysis/Statistics and Probability 3 rd six weeks: Fundamentals of College Admissions  Post Diagnostic Test  College Research  Scholarships  College Admissions: Resume, College Letter, College Application, Admissions Essay  Financial Aid

4. ACT VS SAT ACT 1.Questions are straightforward Sample questions from the ACT writing test: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating? 2.Includes a Science section 3.Includes more advanced math questions 4.Essay is optional (although many school will require it) SAT 1. Questions tend to be a little more ambiguous Sample questions from the SAT essay: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value? 2. Stronger emphasis on vocabulary 3. Does not include a Science section 4. Essay required 5. Broken down into more sections

5. TAKING THE SAT The district is providing every junior with the opportunity to take the SAT on a school day in February for free! How many times can a student take the SAT? A student can take the SAT as many times as he/she would like. The cost is $52.50. When can my student take the SAT? SAT are given once a month. You can find the exact dates and location here: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-us-dates http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-us-dates When can my student register for the SAT? The deadline for signing you for the SAT is usually a month before the testing date. How do they register? The dates as well as link to register can be located here: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-us- dates. Students will need to create an account before being able to register.http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-us- dates Where is the SAT given? You can access this information as well as directions here: http://sattestdates.us/CITY.ASP?CITY=HOUSTON,%20TEXAS http://sattestdates.us/CITY.ASP?CITY=HOUSTON,%20TEXAS How is the SAT scored? Students are earning points. For each question that they answer correctly, they will get a point. 1/3 of a point is deducted and any incorrect answer. Skipped questions do not count for against a student. As far as ideal scores are concerned, students should research their desired college to get the exact score requirements.

6. SCORING How is the SAT scored: Students are earning points. For each question that they answer correctly, they will get a point. 1/3 of a point is deducted and any incorrect answer. Skipped questions do not count for against a student. As far as ideal scores are concerned, students should research their desired college to get the exact score requirements.

7. SAT CHANGES Who does this effect? Changes will effect the class of 2017(the current – the first administration of the test will be given in the spring of 2016 (this is the current sophomore class). What is the purpose in making this change? According to College Board, less than 50% of students who enter college are truly “college ready.” Students get into colleges but many are unsuccessful which results in failing out or dropping out. The new test will better reflect rigorous and useful course work which provide greater insight into a student’s strengths.

8. HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM THE CURRENT TEST? Students will be asked to support answer with evidence rather than just provide a correct answer. This will help show the thought process behind the answer chosen. Vocabulary: Rather than having a very arbitrary vocabulary list of possible words that will be on the test, the vocabulary will now consist of words that students will use long after the exam. Essay: Rather than writing an argumentative essay, the essay will require them to analyze a writer’s argument (this is also optional, but may be required by most school districts and colleges). Math: Students will be asked to solve multistep problems, requiring them to apply math in a real world context.

9. MORE INFORMATION: For more information regarding the changes coming 2017 visit: https://www.collegeboard.org/delivering-opportunity/sat/faqs For more information regarding the current SAT visit: http://sat.collegeboard.org/home For more information regarding this course please email me at Jennifer.mackey@springbranchisd.com or visit: http://ssh.springbranchisd.com/Faculty/Teachers/LanguageArts/JenniMackey/tabid/ 17552/Default.aspx Jennifer.mackey@springbranchisd.com http://ssh.springbranchisd.com/Faculty/Teachers/LanguageArts/JenniMackey/tabid/ 17552/Default.aspx

10. REMIND 101 Text @814ae to 832-924-5853