1. The ABC’s of
SAT
PSAT
ACT
AP Exams
M-Step/MME

2. Exam Information and Exam Information Resources
PHS Morning Announcements
Teachers
Counselors
PTSO Newsletter
Ms. Joyce Williams, Director, External Testing
Jake McCLouth – Career Center Director
(SAT) (AP)
(ACT)

3. STUDENT APPTITUDE TEST
SAT – Adopted by the state in the spring of 2016 as part of the MME requirements for students to graduate from the Ann Arbor Public Schools
Pioneer School Average 1171 out of 1600
State Average 1001

4. SAT Suite o Assessments
PSAT 8/9 – Taken as practice in the spring
PSAT 10 – Taken as practice in the spring
PSAT NMSQT – Taken October 19 for juniors to qualify for National Merit Finalist
SAT – Juniors given April 11-15, 2017 as part of MME

5. Eight Key Changes to the SAT
Word Context
Commnad of Evidence
Essay Analyzing a Source
Math that Matters Most
Problems Grounded in Real World Contexts
Analysis in Science/History
Using Primarty Sources
No penalty for Guessing

6. SAT 1 Test now has two parts for the main test Reading and Math
Each section I based on a score ( )
Maxiumum score is 1600
Test Duration is 3 hours for main test
Essay is 50 minutes

7. Essay Scores Essay scoring will consist of three scores Reading – 2-8
Analysis – 2-8
Writing – 2-8
Essay is scored separately
Maxiumum score is 24
50 minutes to complete

8. Longitudinal Progress Monitoring
Section Scores will be placed on a scale
The same concepts will hold true for the Test, Cross Test and total score. Questions are grade appropriate
For Eample: If a student gets a in 8th grade that would translate to a for an 11th grader.
Provides more continuity in the progression of testing and scores

9. KHAN ACADEMY
Khan Academy and College Board have partnered to provide online SAT test preparation programs and resources entirely free of charge
This includes
Thousands of practice problems
Personalized tutorials and test content
Official SAT practice questions and 4 free full length tests
Comprehensive reporting for students
Access anytime, anywhere, - for free!

10. Personalized SAT Practice through Khan Academy
Send in Score Data
Personalized Learning Roadmap
Official SAT Practice Test
Interprets data and providees more questions where students had difficulty
Paper Pencil Also Available

11. Student Reports Dashboard – Consolidated view of all assessment scores
Projected score ranges on next assessment
Percentile rankings
Tallies of correct and incorrect answers
Skills insight – detailed explaination of current college readiness based on scores

12. Scholastic Assessment Test II Subject Tests
SAT II
Scholastic Assessment Test II
Subject Tests

13. SAT II What is the SAT II? Test in a specific subject
One hour, primarily multiple-choice
Some colleges recommend or require applicants to take 1 to 3 of these subject tests
Students should be aware of the college admission requirements

14. SAT II Subject Tests Italian-reading Latin-reading Spanish-reading
Chinese-with listening
French-with listening
German-with listening
Japanese-with listening
Korean-with listening
Spanish-with listening
Biology Ecological/Molecular
Chemistry
Physics
English Literature
US History
World History
Mathematics Level IC
Mathematics Level IIC
French-reading
German-reading
Modern Hebrew-reading

15. SAT II When is the SAT II given?
Registration for SAT II same as for SAT I
Given most dates that the SAT I is given
Some SAT II tests are not available on every testing date
“With listening” language tests are only offered in November at specified centers
Portable CD player with earphones required.
SAT II should be taken when content is fresh in the student’s mind, at the end of a recently completed course like chemistry and world history
SAT II tests can be retaken

16. PSAT/NMSQT Preliminary SAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

17. PSAT Who should take the PSAT?
The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered to all juniors nationally on October 19, 2016

18. PSAT INFORMATION Covers 2 sections Math (160 – 760)
Reading/Writing /(160 – 760)
Maximum score is 1520
2 hours and 45 minutes

19. PSAT Why take the PSAT? Help prepare for SAT Program tests
Forecast SAT scores
Opportunity to qualify to enter competitions for scholarships and participate in recognition programs such as:
National Merit Scholarship Program
National Hispanic Recognition Program
National Scholarship Service and Fund for Negro Students
Telluride Association
Participate in the Student Search Service to get educational and financial information from colleges
Compare yourself with other students

20. PSAT Registration
For the last 4 years Pioneer has been providing the PSAT to all Juniors to give them an opportunity to compete for the various scholarships and also practice a standardized test.
This year both 9th and 10th graders will take the PSAT in April
Provisions for students with disabilities

21. PSAT Test Results
PSAT/NMSQT score reports are mailed to the High School at the end of November.
Each school decides how and when to distribute the scores to students.
At Pioneer, results are sent to PHS and distributed to students by the counselors.
Score reports are not mailed home.

22. National Merit Scholarship Program
Enter the Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the JUNIOR year of high school.
NMSC will provide scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools in the fall of the student’s senior year
To qualify as a finalist:
Complete NMSC scholarship application
includes essay about contributions to school and community, personal characteristics, activities, plans, and goals
Take the SAT I and earn qualifying scores
Notify NMSC of plans to enroll in college

23. National Merit Scholarship Program Other Scholarship Awards
Corporate-sponsored Merit and Special Scholarships Awards
Provided by corporate sponsors in the National Merit Scholarship Program
A list of corporate organizations that sponsor both Merit and Special Scholarships is given in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin.
College-sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards
Officials of a NMSC sponsored institution choose award recipients from among finalists who have applied for admission and have informed NMSC that the sponsor college is their first choice

24. American College Testing Assessment
ACT
American College Testing Assessment

25. ACT What is the ACT? National college admissions examination
Measures knowledge, understanding, and skills acquired throughout student’s education
Tests cover four skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning, and optional Writing (beginning 2005)

26. ACT Who should take the ACT?
ACT scores may be required for admission to college
Many colleges recommend taking the ACT during the second half of the student’s junior year of high school.
Many students take the ACT once as a junior and then may retake it as a senior.

27. ACT When is the ACT given?
Administered on five national test dates:
- September
October
December
February
April
June
Testing takes place on a Saturday
Sunday and Monday testing is available for students whose religious faith prohibits testing on Saturday.

28. ACT Test Locations Ann Arbor test sites include: Pioneer High School
Huron High School
Washtenaw Community College
Concordia University
Skyline High School

29. ACT Registration Fee Online Registration is available and encouraged
use major credit card for payment of fee
certain circumstances where online registration cannot be used
Fee waivers are available
see a counselor to receive a form

30. ACT Registration
Registration deadline is approximately five weeks prior to the test date
Additional cost for late registration
Provisions for:
changing the test date
missing the test
changing the test center
students with disabilities
Students can register to take the ACT at any testing center.

31. ACT Scoring and Score Reports
Scores are mailed four to seven weeks after the test date. They are available online sooner
Scores reported for each of the four tests (English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning)
Scores reported on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest)
To determine scores on each of the four tests, the number of questions answered correctly is counted.
Points are not deducted for incorrect answers
These raw scores are converted to scale scores.
The composite score is an average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number.
If the ACT is taken more than once, a separate record is maintained for each test date.

32. ACT Sending Score Reports
When registering, you can request that score be sent to colleges and scholarship programs.
If you do not send scores for free when you register for ACT, then you must go to act.org to send scores. Each score sent costs 12 dollars.

33. Advanced Placement Courses Advanced Placement ExamsAP
Advanced Placement Courses
Advanced Placement Exams

34. AP Courses AP English (preparation for English Literature AP Exam)
Advanced Placement Courses give students a chance to try college level work in specific subjects while in high school.
Courses offered by Pioneer High School which would prepare students for AP examinations include:
AP English (preparation for English Literature AP Exam)
AP English (preparation for English Language AP Exam)
BC Calculus
AP Analysis, AB Calculus (preparation for Calculus (AB) AP Exam)
AP U.S. History
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
AP American Government and Politics
AP Computer Science
AP Statistics
AP Latin
AP Spanish
AP French
AP German
Humanities (preparation for AP Exams in Art History, English Literature, World History )
AP Chinese
AP Psychology

35. AP Exams What are AP Exams?
AP Exams test a student’s ability to perform at a college level.
Exams contain either an essay or problem-solving section and a section of multiple-choice questions. The modern language exams also have a speaking component.
“Qualifying” scores on Advanced Placement Exams may entitle a student to credit or advanced placement at college.

36. AP Exams Except where designated, PHS offers courses designed to prepare the student for the AP Exam
Art History (PHS: Humanities)
Biology
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Computer Science A
Computer Science B
Economics
English Language
English Literature
Environmental Science (no PHS course)
European History
French
German Language
Government and Politics (Comparative) (U.S.)
Human Geography (no PHS course)
Latin (Virgil)
Music Theory
Physics (C)
Psychology
Spanish
Statistics
Studio Art
U.S. History
World History*
Chinese

37. AP Exams Who takes the AP Exams?
Any student can register to take an AP exam.
A student does not have to take an AP course to take an AP exam.
AP courses and exams typically taken in the junior and senior year.
Students can take an exam more than one time.
Students taking AP exams will miss class time.

38. AP Exams When are the AP Exams given?
Administered on a national schedule in May of each year.
AP Exams are usually scheduled during the first two weeks in May
Suggested starting times are 8:00 AM for the morning session and 1:00 PM for the afternoon session.
Some exams are scheduled for the same time slot. If your student has a scheduling conflict, contact Joyce Williams.
Calendar of exam times available at

39. AP Exams Test Locations
Large convention facilities in the Ann Arbor area
Local High Schools
Buildings and Room Numbers are available from Joyce Williams at the AP registration meeting in April. She will also send information to students online.

40. AP AP Exam Registration
Fee
approximately $130
Register takes place completely online
Registration for AP Exams begins in February
Fee reductions are available for students demonstrating financial need.

41. AP Exams Test Day Most exams take two to three hours to complete
Students should have:
No. 2 pencils with erasers
black or dark blue pen
Pioneer code number
Approved calculator for the Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, or Statistics exams
Ruler/Straight edge for Physics Exam
Social Security Number
Receive AP Candidate Pack
numbers on pack will be the official AP number for that testing period

42. AP Exams Scoring AP Exams are scored from 1 to 5 as follows:
5 - Extremely well-qualified
4 - Well-qualified
3 - Qualified
2 - Possibly qualified
1 - No recommendation
For a score of 2 or greater, a student may qualify to receive college credit or advanced placement
It is at the discretion of the individual college as to whether or not college credit or advance standing (i.e. sophomore placement in a particular subject area) will be given.

43. AP Exams Grade Reports Grade reports online in July
Grade report sent to the college the student designated on the exam answer sheet
Grade report sent to PHS
Grade reports are cumulative, included are grades on AP Exams taken in the current year and in previous years unless a request has been made to withhold previous grades
For a fee, additional grade reports can be sent:
Complete second part of AP Grade Report
Telephone or request to send AP Transcripts

44. AP Exams Withholding a Grade Canceling a Grade
A written request can be made to withhold an AP grade from a report.
To permanently cancel an AP grade, complete an AP Cancellation Form and return it to AP Services no later than June 15 following the exam.

45. MME
MME/M - Step Spring 2017

46. MME What is the MME?
The Michigan Merit Exam is the revised state assessment program for the high school level.
Full implementation of the program started in the Spring of 2007.
Revised 2016 to include SAT

47. MME Timeline
The full MME will be administered in Spring 2017 to high school juniors – April 11-15
The SAT will be administered April 12 at Pioneer
That week the Work Keys and Michigan Science and Social Studies assessment will be administered
PSAT will be given to 9th and 10th graders on Wednesday, April 13th.

48. Good luck e Junior year is filled with tests
Be reasonable in the number of tests your student takes
Consult counselors if you have questions about testing
Make sure you are clear about what tests colleges want e