1. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING
NOTE:
To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image.
An Introduction to the PSAT’s, SAT’s and ACT’s

2. What is the PSAT/NMSQT? Preliminary SAT
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
Only offered once per year in October
Registration in the Guidance Office
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score ( )
Math section ( )

6. National Merit Cut-Offs: May change each year!
Pennsylvania Semifinalists = 219 (Class of 2018)
National High = 223
National Low = 211
Pennsylvania Commended = 211
***Students must take the PSAT in 11th grade in order to qualify for National Merit***

7. What is the SAT? Offered 7 times per year, all in CR
Launching new SAT test date in August 2017
Score Choice
Scholastic Aptitude Test
New SAT launched in March 2016
Registration online at
Required by many colleges and universities as part of the admissions process

8. What is the format of the SAT?
Total Testing Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Components:
1. Evidence Based Reading and Writing
Reading Test (65 minutes)
Writing and Language Test (35 minutes)
2. Math (75 minutes)
Calculator Section (55 minutes)
Non-calculator Section (20 minutes)
3. Optional Essay (50 Minutes)
No penalty for guessing
4 Answer choices per question

9. Evidence Based Reading and Writing
Focus is passage based
College-level non-fiction passages: Social and Natural Sciences
One passage comes from a foundational global history document
Interpretation of graphs, charts and tables

10. Writing and Language Test
Command of Evidence
Words in Context
Analysis in SS/Science
Expression of Ideas
Standard English Conventions
Command of Evidence-improve the way passages develop ideas
Words in Context- vocabulary
Expression of ideas-Organization and Impact
Conventions- Punctuation, Grammar, Sentence structure, Word usage

11. Math Calculator Section: Heart of Algebra
Linear equations
Functions
Inequalities
Formulas provided

12. Math Calculator Section: Problem Solving and Data Analysis
Ratios
Rates
Percentage
Graphs
Linear Growth
Frequencies
Probability
Statistics

13. Math Calculator Section: Passport to Advanced Math
Analyze, interpret and rewrite expressions
Exponents, integers, radicals
Polynomials, quadratic equations
Functions and graphs

14. Math: Non-Calculator Section

15. Math Section: Grid-In Questions
22% of the Math section
Student produced response
Fractions must be reduced
Mixed numbers are converted to fractions

16. SAT Essay Prompt Optional section Passage based (650-750 words)
Prompt: Explain how an author builds an argument to persuade an audience
Adapted from Paul Bogard, “Let There Be Dark.” ©2012 by Los Angeles Times. Originally published December 21, 2012.
As you read the passage below, consider how Paul Bogard uses
evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.

17. Scoring the SAT Composite Score out of 1600
for each of the 2 areas
Optional essay is scored separately
Each essay scored by two readers on Reading, Writing and Analysis
Score for each category ranges from 2-8
College Ready Benchmarks available

18. What is the SAT Subject Test?
College admission exams on specific subjects, including English, Math, History, Science and Foreign Language
1 hour each
Scored on a scale
Can take 1-3 Subject Tests on any Test Date
Cannot take a Subject Test the same day as the SAT Reasoning Test

19. SAT Subject Tests Science: Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics
English: Literature
Math Levels I and II
History: United States History, World History
Languages: Reading only- French, Spanish, Italian, Modern Hebrew, Latin
Languages: With Listening- French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish (NOV)

20. What is the ACT? American College Test
Components:
ACT EnglishTest- 45 minutes
ACT Math Test- 60 minutes
ACT Reading Test- 35 minutes
ACT Science Test- 35 minutes
ACT Writing Test- 40 minutes (optional)
No Penalty for Guessing
Score Choice
American College Test
Registration at
Offered 6 times per year, some in CR
Total Testing Time: 3 hours 40 minutes

21. ACT English Test
Measures Conventions of standard English, Production of Writing, and Knowledge of Language
Based on 5 different essays followed by multiple choice questions
Conventions- punctuation, usage, sentence structure
Production of Writing- Topic development, organization, unity, cohesion
Knowledge of LanguageWord choice, style, tone

22. ACT Math Test Calculators allowed
Topics include Preparing for Higher Math, Integrating Essential Skills and Modeling
Preparing for higher math- algebra, geometry, statistics and probability
Integrating Essential Skills- Proportions, area, surface area, volume

23. ACT Reading Test Measure of reading comprehension
4 passages, including one long prose passage, and one including two passages
3 Categories: Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

24. ACT Science Test
Measures the interpretation, evaluation, analysis, reasoning and problem solving skills required in the natural sciences
Calculators not allowed

25. ACT Writing Test
Optional test will not affect your scores on the other four tests or your composite score
Scored on Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, Language Use and Conventions

26. How does my student prep for the SAT?

27. How does my student prep for the ACT?

28. Local SAT Prep Services

29. Test-Optional Colleges and Universities
925 accredited colleges that are test optional

30. Testing Timeline: 10th grade to 11th grade
Spring 10th grade
AP Exams (early May)
English 10 Keystone (mid-May) for all 10th graders
Biology and Algebra 1 Keystone (mid-May)
SAT Subject Tests (June)
11th grade
PSAT (mid-October)
SAT/ACT (junior year)
AP Exams (early May)
SAT Subject Tests (June)
SAT
ACT
August
September
October
November
December
February
March
April
May
June

31. 2017-2018 SAT and ACT Dates and Registration Deadlines
SAT Dates and Deadlines: Register at
ACT Dates and Deadlines: Register at
**ACT offered at CR North ***ACT offered at CR South
Test Date
Registration Deadline
Late Registration Deadline
August 26, 2017
July 28, 2017
August 15, 2017
October 7, 2017
September 8, 2017
September
November 4, 2017
October 5, 2017
October 25, 2017
December 2, 2017
November 2, 2017
November 21, 2017
March 10, 2018*
February 9, 2018
February 28, 2018
May 5, 2018
April 6, 2018
April 25, 2018
June 2, 2018
May 3, 2018
May 23, 2018
*SAT Subject tests not offered on this date
Test Date
Registration Deadline
Late Registration Deadline
September 9, 2017**
August 4, 2017
August 5-18, 2017
October 28, 2017
September 22, 2017
September 23-October 6, 2017
December 9, 2017**
November 3, 2017
November 4-17, 2017
February 10, 2018***
January 12, 2018
January 13-19, 2018
April 14, 2018**
March 9, 2018
March 10-23, 2018
June 9, 2018
May 4, 2018
May 5-18, 2018
July 14, 2018
June 15, 2018
June 16-22, 2018

32. Questions???