1. GCM College Testing Info Night
Question:
Standardized tests are a lot of fun:
Gardner Humphreys Jan. 2017
College & Career Center Specialist
George C. Marshall HS

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

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

4. Practice Tests At GCM: 9-10th Grade: Automatic PSAT
11th Grade: Optional PSAT (only National Merit date though)
College Board s went out in Dec.
GCM has recovery codes if or login don’t work

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

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

7. Family Connection & GCM Library Test Prep

8. GCM Ranges Old SAT ACT Top GCM students showing higher ACTs
Math
Reading
Combined
Subject Tests:
Consider: Math II, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (M), Math I, Literature, US History
ACT Top GCM students showing higher ACTs
Composite 23-28
* Class of 2014 Fall
(Not this kind)

9. The Middle 50% Old SAT ACT VCU 980-1190 20-26 GMU 1050-1250 23-28
UVA
Tufts
Beware Scattergram averages
Look at context: school, region, major, etc.

10. Registering ACT www.actstudent.org SAT www.collegeboard.com
Students register at:
ACT
SAT

11. Registration Steps Pick date carefully Get a fee waiver if you qualify
Select your 4 FREE colleges
Register online – locations vary
Use official name and address
Decide if you want lots of mail!
(SSS won’t send SSN, phone # or scores)
App for “Question of the Day”
Changes only until deadline, with fee

12. Test Day You slept, right? No cram.
Practice finding site, visit the room = less unkowns, more knowns!
What to bring:
Ticket, ID, calculator, pencils, snack
Checklist online

13. Sending Scores Student responsibility Remember the 4 Free?
Sent 3 weeks +/- after test date and posted online; otherwise 1-2 weeks after request, plus campus processing
Most use SuperScore for SAT
Beware of Score Choice and Rush Delivery
Reports cost 12 $ per school after regis.

14. Common Questions
NCAA Division I Sliding Scale min. is 400 SAT with GPA, GPA if 890 SAT
AP and IB test scores
Scores and admission calendar (ED, rolling, deferred, waitlist, etc.)
Transferring
Community College
Schools outside U.S.

15. FREE TEST PREP
gcmhslibrary.com – (ACT & SAT Subject Tests) GCM Library\Databases\Career, College, Lifeskills\Testing
collegeboard.org/practice - with Khan Academy, link accounts
actstudent.org/sampletest – practice questions and sample writing prompts and essays
FREE study guides and practice tests in Career Center – Learn, after school, Mondays, Ready4SAT
Teacher Workdays – Jan. 19, others teacher workdays

16. Merit Aid & Scholarships
Examples:
Longwood – 1200 Old SAT/3.5 gets $8,500/yr
Ferrum – 1200 Old 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 !

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

18. Questions? Search: gcmcollegecareercenter For the latest, follow us on: facebook.com/mstatesmen twitter.com/MStatesmen