1. George C. Marshall High School SAT vs ACT Timeline of How to Prep
Welcome! Name= Lorraine
Ask questions if you have any.
While we will focus more on the SAT & ACT today, we will also touch on the PSAT as well.

2. Your Path to College
College!
GPA
High School Courses
Entrance Exams

3. Top Factors in College Admissions
Overall GPA
SAT and ACT Scores
Grades in college level courses (AP and Honors) / strength of curriculum 3

4. There is $11 billion in merit-based aid to help pay for college.
The 2 greatest factors that determine merit-based aid are SAT® or ACT® scores and high school grades.
There is $11 billion in merit-based aid to help pay for college.
If you are already a junior or senior, most of your grades have already been earned. Your SAT or ACT exam score hasn’t yet been determined – and it could be the most valuable four hours you spend during your high school career.
Source: Calculated using the average institutional no-need and merit grant figure in National Postsecondary Student Aid Study by the National Center for Education Statistics and the number of students receiving that type of aid, which was approximately 2.1 million; 2008 NACAC Discussion Paper, Financial Aid and Admission: Tuition Discounting, Merit Aid and Need-aware Admission

5. Test Scores are Important
A good test score can open the door to more colleges and academic scholarships. Merit based scholarships are based on two factors: SAT or ACT scores and high school grades
Nearly 90% of colleges placed considerable or moderate importance on test scores*
Some employers today are even asking to see applicant’s old SAT scores**

6. Test Taking Timeline
Practice
PSAT
Official
PSAT
AP Tests
State Tests
IB Tests*
AP Tests
State Tests
IB Tests
AP Tests
State Tests*
Practice
SAT or ACT
SAT and/or ACT
SAT or ACT
Last chance!
IB (International Baccalaureate) Tests: 4,000+ schools worldwide have IB diplomas = rigorous four-year curriculum + two weeks of standardized testing in May of Sr. yr. Can lead to advanced placement at some colleges, BUT they don’t take the place of SAT Subject tests, or the SAT. Make sure to schedule SAT Subject tests as corresponding IB, AP, or honors courses are completed.
Fall Soph Spring Soph Fall Junior Spring Junior Fall Senior Spring Senior

7. Similarities Between the Tests
SAT
&
ACT
Used for college admissions
Used for scholarships + merit-based grants
Can retake several times
Colleges accept both
Usually taken Spring of junior year + Fall of senior year
Approx three to four hours long
Optional essay
No wrong answer penalty
PSAT
Used for scholarships
Can only officially be taken once
Taken in Oct of junior year
Helps prepare for SAT

8. Length Total Score Additional Scoring Verbal Math Science Essay SAT
ACT
Length
3 hours or
3 hours 50 min with essay
2 hours 55 min or
3 hour 35 min with essay
Total Score
total score
total score
Additional Scoring
Subscores, cross-test scores, and test scores
Section scores, subscores, and percentile
Verbal
Reading and Writing combined score
Reading and Writing scored separately
Math
Math no Calculator Section, student produced responses
One math Section with calculator, all multiple choice
Science
Science tested in all sections
Stand alone Science section
Essay
Analysis of a rhetorical text
Analysis of three perspectives, with persuasive elements

9. ACT Overview The ACT English Math Reading Science Essay Category
Features
The ACT
1-36 scoring, three hours without essay
English
45 minutes, 75 questions
Math
60 minutes, 60 questions
Reading
35 minutes, 40 questions
Science
35 minutes, 40 questions
Requires analysis of 3 different perspectives , 40 minutes long
Essay

10. SAT Overview The SAT Reading Writing Math Math Essay Category Features
scoring, 3 hours without essay
Reading
65 minutes, 52 questions
Writing
35 minutes, 44 questions
Math
25 minutes, 20 questions, no calculator
Reading and writing – long passages
Math - lots of reading, lots of algebra and charts and graphs, no calc section
Math
55 minutes, 38 questions, calculator
Requires reading a passage, describing development of argument, 50 minutes long
Essay

11. Optional Essays Essay Category Features Essay is optional
50 min on SAT, 40 min on ACT
Asks students to write a timed essay on a given topic, integrating text content
Essay
Why would you do an essay if it’s optional?

12. Total Time with essay: 3hrs 35min
ACT at a glance
Structure
Sections:
English
Math
Reading
Science
Essay (optional)
Scoring
Total Score: 36
(each section worth 36, averaged for total)
Sundry
No guessing penalty
Optional essay scored separately
English
45 minutes
75 items
Math
60 minutes
60 items
Reading
35 minutes
40 items
Science
35 minutes
40 items
Essay
40 minutes
(Optional)
Total Time without essay: 2hrs 55 min
Total Time with essay: 3hrs 35min

13. Total Time with essay: 3hrs 50min
SAT at a glance
Structure
Sections:
Evidence-based Reading
Evidence-based Writing
Math (without calculator)
Math (with calculator)
Essay (optional)
Scoring
Total Score: 1600 (Reading + Writing = 800, Math + Math = 800)
Sundry
No guessing penalty
Optional essay scored separately
Reading
65 minutes
52 items
Writing
35 minutes
44 items
Math
25 minutes
20 items
Math
55 minutes
38 items
Essay
50 minutes
(Optional)
Total Time without essay: 3hrs
Total Time with essay: 3hrs 50min

14. / 4 = ACT Scoring Composite Score English Math Reading Science
Out of 36 Points
Composite Score
Out of 36 points
Average of the four sections
English, Math, Reading, Science
Math
Out of 36 Points
/ 4 =
Reading
Out of 36 Points
Mention
(Optional) Essay Score
-Score between 2-12
-Average of four domain scores
Science
Out of 36 Points

15. SAT Scoring Composite Score Area Score: Math Test & Cross-Test Scores
- Out of 1600 Points
- Sum of the two Area Scores
(Optional) Essay Score
3 separate scores for Reading, Writing, & Analysis, each from 2-8,
Area Score: Math
Out of 800 Points
Area Score: Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing
Out of 800 Points
Test & Cross-Test Scores
3 Test scores: Math, Reading, Writing & Language
2 Cross-test scores: Science, Social Studies/History
Scored out of a range of 10-40

16. Inside the SAT READING WRITING & LANGUAGE MATH Reading & Writing
Questions: 52 questions
Time: 65 minutes
Question types: Passage Based Reading Comprehension
Reading & Writing
WRITING & LANGUAGE
Questions: 44 questions
Time: 35 minutes
Question types: Standard English Conventions, Expression of Ideas
Math
Total Score
MATH
Questions: 58 questions
Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Question types: Multiple choice, grid-ins
Content: Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis

17. Inside the ACT English 1-36 1-36 Math 1-36 1-36 Reading Science
Questions: 75 questions
Time: 45 minutes
Question types: Standard English conventions, English grammar, Style
1-36
1-36
Math
Questions: 60 questions
Time: 60 minutes
Question types: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry
1-36
1-36
Reading
Questions: 40 questions
Time: 35 minutes
Question types: Passage-based Reading Comprehension
Science
Questions: 40 questions
Time: 35minutes
Question types: Passage-based Reading Comprehension and Figure Interpretation

18. Reading Passage Topics
Sciences
Humanities
Literature
Humanities
SS/History
Sciences
SS/History
Literature
Careers
SAT
ACT

19. Math Skills Tested Data Analysis/Problem Solving
Algebra
Algebra
Geometry
Geometry
Trig
Trig
SAT
ACT

20. ACT at a glance Section Content areas tested
College Readiness Benchmarks
2016 National Average Scores
English
Diction, Syntax, Grammar 18
20.1
Math
Plane and Coordinate Geometry, Variable Manipulation, Algebra 22
20.6
Reading
Finding Details, Making Inferences, Generalizing
21.3
Science
Scientific Reasoning, Interpreting Figures, Finding Patterns 23
20.8
Composite

21. SAT at a glance Section Content areas tested
College Readiness Benchmarks
2016 National Average Scores
Evidence Based Reading and Writing
Reading comprehension
480
543
English grammar
Math
Algebra, data analysis and problem solving, geometry, trigonometry
530
541
Total
1083
* All information provided by College Board

22. SAT and ACT: Notable Differences
Reading
More Social Studies Reading
More Science Reading
Math
More data analysis
More geometry & trig
No calculator section
Calculator use for all Math
Scoring
50% math, 50% verbal
25% math, 50% verbal 25% science
The best way to know is to take a practice test!
What’s the Difference?

23. Official Score Reports

26. PSAT Score Report Timeline
Scores Delivered Electronically to schools:
Dec 5, 2016
Scores Delivered Electronically to students:
Dec 12, 2016
Hard Copies of Scores Mailed to Schools: Expected Delivery- January 2017

27. New PSAT Score Report

28. Your Scores
Your Scores

29. Your Scores (cont.)
We’ve covered the general score breakdowns for the test sections. However, the SAT score report also contains cross-test and subscores detailing how well you performed on particular question types and certain subject areas.
You’ll receive two cross-test scores for Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science, each on a scale of 10 – 40. Cross-test scores describe how well you performed on certain questions across the entire SAT. Your History/Social Studies score, for example, will be drawn from relevant questions in from History/Social Studies passages in both Reading and Writing & Language, as well as in certain questions on the Math test, which had you analyze historical or socio-cultural information.
Finally, your score report provides seven subscores that break down your performance within each test. These scores range from 1 – 15.
Reading and Writing & Language subscores include Command of Evidence and Words in Context. Command of Evidence subscores are derived from your performance on questions which asked you to cite evidence for an answer choice, as well as infographic questions and questions which asked you to identify how an author used evidence or to revise a passage to clarify the author’s main idea. Words in Context assesses vocab-in-context questions on the Reading Test as well as word-choice questions on the Writing & Language test. The Writing & Language test also includes two additional subscores: Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions.
Additionally, you’ll receive three subscores for the Math test: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis (including multi-step problems, scatter-plots, tables and unit conversions), and Passport to Advanced Math (measuring performance on questions from quadratics and polynomials to functions).

30. National Merit

32. Sample Questions

33. SAT Sample Problem - Reading

34. SAT Sample Problem - Reading

35. SAT Sample Problem – Writing

36. SAT Sample Problem - Writing

37. SAT Sample Problem - Math
Mean /12
Median- 54

38. New SAT SAT Math Problems Word Count = 87
According to the Project on Student Debt prepared by The Institute for College Access and Success, 7 out of 10 students graduating in 2012 from a four-year college in the United States had student loan debt. The average amount borrowed per student was $29,400, which is up from $18,750 in If student debt experiences the same total percent increase over the next eight years, approximately how much will a college student graduating in 2020 owe, assuming she takes out student loans to pay for her education?
$40,100
$44,300
C) $46,100
D) $48,200
Word Count = 87

39. gor & The New SAT SAT Math Problems Words that Really Count = 40
According to the Project on Student Debt prepared by The Institute for College Access and Success, 7 out of 10 students graduating in 2012 from a four-year college in the United States had student loan debt. The average amount borrowed per student was $29,400, which is up from $18,750 in If student debt experiences the same total percent increase over the next eight years, approximately how much will a college student graduating in 2020 owe, assuming she takes out student loans to pay for her education?
$40,100
$44,300
C) $46,100
D) $48,200
Words that Really Count = 40

40. Questions on the Sample Problems?

41. Sophomore Year Senior Year Freshman Year Junior Year
High School Timeline
Sophomore Year
Senior Year
Freshman Year
Junior Year
Request letters of recommendations
Last chance at SAT and/or ACT
Research scholarships
Apply to colleges
Fill out FAFSA
Keep those grades up!
Keep up with the school work
Start emphasizing one or two extracurricular skills
Continue to pursue honors/AP/IB classes
Practice PSAT/SAT/ACT and use summer to study
PSAT in Oct for National Merit
Focus on academics – this is a critical year!
Research admissions requirements at target schools
Prepare for and take SAT and/or ACT
Take AP exams, IB exams, SAT subject tests
Establish good study habits
Explore extracurricular activities – try new things!
Try honors classes to develop strengths
Ask questions about careers and colleges
Freshman year: Impt to establish good study habits NOW--lay foundation for the rest of high school career. Get involved in extracurricular activities! The earlier you become involved the more likely you are to get a leadership position later in high school. Also, colleges like to see involv. activities for longer pds. – shows dedication! Also, prepare well in your classes. Colleges like students who challenge themselves with their course selection. A strong foundation early  more challenging course schedule later--honors and AP classes in Soph. year and beyond.
Sophomore year: You can take the PSAT in October, and many high schools do test their sophomores. This is great practice for the PSAT that you will take in Junior Year and establishes a baseline score for you early on in your high school career. Take challenging courses! Colleges like to see students who take on a rigorous courseload and do well! Remember, the summer between sophomore year and junior year is a great time to prep for the PSAT! Why prep for the PSAT? It can lead to a national merit scholarship. National Merit Scholarships are solely based on a students PSAT score from their Junior year in high school.
Types of Merit Scholarship® Awards
Beginning in March and continuing to mid-June, NMSC notifies approximately 8,000 Finalists at their home addresses that they have been selected to receive a Merit Scholarship® award. Merit Scholarship awards are of three types:
National Merit® $2500 Scholarships Every Finalist competes for these single payment scholarships, which are awarded on a state representational basis. Winners are selected without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans.
Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards Corporate sponsors designate their awards for children of their employees or members, for residents of a community where a company has operations, or for Finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage. These scholarships may either be renewable for four years of undergraduate study or one-time awards.
College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards Officials of each sponsor college select winners of their awards from Finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC by the published deadlines that the sponsor college or university is their first choice. These awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. The published deadlines for reporting a sponsor college as first choice can be viewed on page 3 of the Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists 

42. Setting yourself up for success: Scholarships
DO…
DON’T…
Look at financial aid pages of colleges you are applying to
Pay to apply for scholarships
Treat the scholarship search as a job. Ask Questions: Renewable? Requirements?
Wait too long to start searching or submit late applications
Consider your skills and accomplishments
Ask for letters of recommendation at the last minute
Keep an organized file and apply throughout the year
Sell yourself short

43. Setting yourself up for success: College search
DO…
DON’T…
Start early and keep track of deadlines
Wait until the last minute to request recommendations or complete applications
Actually talk with target schools and their students
Wait too long to look into credit requirements for schools
Go to college fairs and do your own research online
Slack off in your classes senior year
Apply, apply, apply!
Sell yourself short
#2—if you can, visit the school beforehand. Reach out to Admissions—some schools have ways to connect potential students w/current ones (talk about Tiger Calls)

44. Setting yourself up for success: SAT & ACT
DO…
Why
Read, read, read!
Reading comprehension is heavily tested – reading for fun will help
Pay attention in class
The SAT and ACT reflect skills learned in the classroom
Get an SAT or ACT book and do practice problems
The types of questions repeat a lot
Get to know the format
The instructions are always the same
Take practice tests
You’ll know what to expect on test day
#3 – tests are not seeing how much you know, they’re seeing if you can solve these types of ?’s
#5 – when practicing, simulate a test day as close as possible: quiet place, timed, when you’ve had rest (after a long school day, it would be harder to do). Also for expecting your timing, and knowing where you can improve.

45. Basic Test Taking Strategies
Triage A) B) C) D)
Elimination
Guessing

46. How can I prepare for the exams? 3 – 4 Months Before Test Day
Study
Plan ahead
- Get a book, take a class
- Register early
- Do practice problems
- Know your location
- Know the format
- Get your waiver
- Have a strategy
- Arrange accommodations
As Test Day Approaches
Pack
24 hrs
- #2 pencils
- Do something relaxing the night before – no cramming!
- Calculator + batteries
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Sweater, water + snack
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Ticket/registration, photo ID
- Deep breath – you’ve got this!

47. Prep Smarter,
Not Harder

48. Prep Options Self-Paced Classroom Live Online Classroom In Person
Self-paced, online course
Online, live classroom instruction
Classroom In Person
Unlimited Prep
Instruct students to visit Kaptest.com/SAT for current prices and promotional discounts.
Classroom: Live instruction through an interactive online classroom or in person in a traditional classroom
Unlimited Prep: In Person, Live Online, & Self-Paced lessons for the PSAT, current SAT, new SAT, and ACT, plus Math Foundations
Held at or near your high school
Unlimited access to classes

49. SAT and ACT student directed online courses
Your Next Steps
SAT and ACT student directed online courses
Classroom, Classroom Plus & Unlimited Prep
Prepare with a teacher near you or online
Unlimited access to classes for the PSAT, SAT and ACT
SAT Class Offered at Bishop Ireton in February!
Tutoring Opportunities Available-ask me:
Lorraine Eisenbraun
Program Manager
Pre-College Programs for Virginia
Phone:

50. Prep Options Private Tutoring
Tutoring tailored to fit your goals and schedule
The Most Personalized Prep: custom study plan based on your needs
Tutors with Top Scores
The Ultimate in Convenience: you set the schedule, whether in-home or online
Higher score guaranteed or your money back

51. The Results You Want You Will Score Higher
Not Ready? Not Satisfied? Take the course again – free!

52. Get started today for access to Kaplan’s SAT channel!

53. Kaplan SAT and ACT Turbo Tests Visit kaptest.com/turbotest
Which Test Should You Take?
Try a Kaplan Turbo Test and find out!
Kaplan SAT and ACT Turbo Tests
Get a predictive score in 90 minutes
Review your score in detail
Visit kaptest.com/turbotest
Make sure to let students know this is FREE

54. A Question A Day Makes the Test Go Your Way!
Receive a question per day in your inbox
SAT Kaptest.com/satquestion
ACT Kaptest.com/actquestion
Answers reviewed in detail so you’re ready for the next one

55. Got Internet? Get Test Prep! Kaplan offers free live online events
Check out an ACT or SAT Bootcamp, or see what our classes are like
There’s always something new
Visit kaptest.com/hsevents for schedule of events

56. Enjoy the Journey! kaptest.com/collegeplanning
Kaplan College Planning Center
Find out everything you need to know about getting into college:
When to apply
Why test prep matters
How to apply for financial aid
What to consider when choosing a college
Enjoy the Journey! kaptest.com/collegeplanning

57. Thank You! For additional questions, please reach out to
Lorraine Eisenbraun, Virginia Program Manager
For free, live online workshops, visit kaptest.com/hsevents