1. College Admissions Testing Mamaroneck High School October 2014 Jill Steinberg New York Director of Business Development jsteinberg@applerouth.com

2. How Important are the Tests? Grades in college preparatory classes Strength of curriculum/academic rigor Test scores Essays

3. Why Testing Has Increased in Importance Huge boom in the # of college applicants Standardized, which allows for easy comparison across geographic & demographic lines A hedge against grade inflation Efficient way to make big cuts Moderately useful predictor of success in college

4. Today the SAT and ACT are universally accepted Any college will take either the SAT or ACT without prejudice Colleges will accept either test without prejudice.

5. A Quick Anatomy of the Tests Abstract Foreign Learn the language of, solve the mysteries of the test Concrete Familiar Practice, get more familiar with the test ACTSAT

6. SATACT Section Score200-8001-36 Total Score600-24001-36 Timing3h 45m2h 55m # of sections10 short4 long Mathtricky wordingtougher concepts Grammarrequired essayoptional essay Readingvocabularyno vocabulary Scienceno sciencescience section Guessing Penalty–0.25 points perno penalty for missed questionmissed questions Basic Differences: SAT vs ACT

7. Which Test Should I Take? Take a practice SAT and ACT to establish dual baselines Three-Step Analysis: –1. Start with your STRENGTH. If none, –2. Prep to your PREFERENCE. If still none, –3. Choose the more COACHABLE test, the SAT. If SAT prep is not yielding results, switch to the ACT. If you have to switch, 80% of the content transfers

8. What about the PSAT?

9. Does the PSAT Matter? Only if you are a junior on the cusp of the National Merit Scholarship. If not, look at the PSAT as practice. 2:10 versus 3:45

10. National Merit Scholarship Selection Index: CR + M + W This is a very competitive score! Roughly top 0.5% of students in the state. For New York, the 2014 Selection Index for National Merit was 218. Example: 72CR + 73M + 72W

11. The “new” SAT- March 2016 Current SAT Reading Comprehension –Vocabulary –Reading passages Math –Helpful tips and tricks to work around problems (pick numbers) Writing –Correct separate sentences Essay –Factored into Writing score Guess penalty No science Redesigned SAT Align with Common Core standards Reading Comprehension –vocabulary in context –“Founding documents” featured in passages Math –Less opportunity for tips and tricks –Higher-level math (pre-calc/trig) Writing –Grammar and rhetorical questions within context of passage Essay –Optional; schools may still require No penalty for guessing Science-type questions added to math and verbal sections

12. Trends Super-scoring the SAT and ACT Sending all scores (elite schools only) Students taking (and sending) both SAT and ACT

13. Accommodations If you need them, APPLY through the testing services. But start early. If you have to appeal, DO IT. See your counselor.

14. SAT Subject Tests Of 3,000 + US colleges, roughly 100 use Subject Tests for admissions (check college websites) How many to take: check college websites Timing: May and June are ideal, aligned with APs Some schools accept the ACT as a replacement for the SAT+ SAT subject tests UC Systems dropped Subject Tests for class of 2012 and beyond. (“You will not be penalized for failing to take the SAT Subject Tests. On the other hand, submission of these test scores may add positively to the review of your application “) 20% of schools Assign Considerable to Moderate Importance to SAT IIs

15. Suggested Timelines How do I do the right things at the right time? Caveat! Each student has his or her own schedule, activities, requirements to work around. This is a general timeline.

16. Sophomore Year Timeline Oct: Take the PSAT. It’s practice this year, but if you score a 180+ you’ll probably want to do some prep before next year. Feb – May: Take your first mock SAT/ACT exams to determine which test you prefer. SepOctNovDecJan PSAT FebMarAprMay First mock SAT/ACT exams

17. Junior Year Timeline (first half) Oct: PSAT. PSAT prep course if you are a potential National Merit Scholar or want to jumpstart SAT prep. Nov – Jan: Take first SAT or ACT. Prepare 8 to 12 weeks prior to scheduled test date. JunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan PSAT First SAT/ACT

18. Junior Year Timeline (second half) Jan – Feb: Meet with guidance counselor to discuss college list, school visits, explore financial aid/ scholarships/ grants for college. Visit some schools. May – June: Take APs, SAT subject tests, ACT, SAT (prep as needed). Late Summer/Early Fall:  Make or refine the college list  Begin applications/essays  Set up interviews and college visits FebMarAprMayJun Testing, Testing, Testing

19. Senior Year Timeline (first half) Sep – Nov  SAT/ACT final push if needed  Meet with your guidance counselor for application advice  Finish early applications  October: ED deadlines JunJulAugSepOctNov Final SAT/ACT Tests for EA/ED, ED/EA Applications Due College Visits

20. Test Prep at MHS MOCK TESTS: SAT - Nov 1, Feb 7 ACT - Nov 15, March 21 CLASSES: SAT Class: Begins January and leads up to March 14 SAT ACT Class: Begins February and leads up to April 18 ACT

21. Questions? Contact us at 866-789-PREP or at info@applerouth.com info@applerouth.com Jill Steinberg jsteinberg@applerouth.com