1. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS SAT/ACT/SUBJECT TESTS

2. Outcomes: 1. To understand the differences between the various college admissions tests. 2.To determine which test would be the most appropriate for your student to take. 3.To identify exactly how to sign up for an admissions test. 4.To become aware of the various resources (prep courses, Princeton Review Assessment) offered to students in order to improve testing performance.

3. Page 3 Admissions Tests PSATSATACTSAT Subject Tests Is it Required? Length Subjects and Sections Scoring and Penalties Score Choice No –Juniors only- score is used for the NMSQT Yes Sometimes 2.5 hours 3 hours, 20 minutes plus 25 min. for essay -160 questions 3 hours 30 min. with short break including essay- 215 questions 1 hour Can take up to three tests. Two 25 min. CR Two 25 min. M One 30 min. W 10 Sections- Critical Reading (3), Math (3), Writing (3), and 1 Experimental which is un-scored 4 Sections – English, Math, Reading, Science Optional Essay By subject 20-80 each section, 60-240 overall, +1 right, +0 blank, -1/4 wrong 200-800 each section, 600-2400 overall,+1right, +0 blank, -1/4 wrong- 1-36 is average of scores from all parts of test, no guessing penalty 200-800, +1 right, +0 blank, -1/4 wrong No My College Quickstart Yes

4. SAT or ACT: Which test is best suited for you? FIRST… ….  Take the PRA- Princeton Review Assessment!  Next test -February 2 nd 2013  Can sign up on PR website.

5. SAT or ACT: Aptitude vs. Achievement Which test is best suited to you? The SAT may be a better fit if: You did great on the PSAT. You have a killer vocabulary. You prefer starts and stops when taking tests. There are nine sections and an essay on the SAT. You can ace grammar. You consider yourself “quick-thinking.” Students must exercise educated guessing on the SAT because you lose ¼ point for each incorrect answer. If students can rule out one or more answer choices for multiple-choice questions – they should guess.

6. The ACT may be a better fit if: SAT or ACT: Which test is best suited to you? Your PSAT or SAT score is inconsistent with your academic performance in school. Your vocabulary is not as strong as your reading. You read relatively quickly. You are more academic than test savvy. (The ACT test is more like a test you would take in school.) You prefer four longer sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) to having interruptions and breaks during the test. You are great at writing papers but do not have formal grammar instruction. Students are not penalized for incorrect answers and should answer as many test questions as possible.

7. SAT SUBJECT TESTS  Demonstrate to colleges mastery of specific subjects: English, History, Mathematics, Science, and World Language.  20 Subject Tests English – Literature History and Social Studies-United States History & World History Mathematics-Mathematics Level 1 & Level 2 Science – Biology E/M, Chemistry, & Physics Languages- French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, & Spanish Languages With Listening: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish

8.  May be required or recommended *Scores are used by colleges as an indicator of your ability to succeed in college. *Academic ability to handle their curriculum. *If interested in a specific major or program of study. *Colleges may use these scores for placement purposes. *Nearly one million SAT Subject Tests are taken by students.  Stand out to colleges * Subject Tests allow you to highlight a student ‘s strength in particular subjects or programs of study. SAT SUBJECT TESTS

9. SAT/ACT/SUBJECT TESTS  Which test to take and when? PRA Sophomore Year: Take the Princeton Review Assessment Plan to take a prep course. SAT or ACT: Sign up to take a prep course. Register for either the SAT or ACT test. Juniors: Take the SAT or ACT test two times Most sign up for the administrations between December– June Remember to use our CEEB code: 210745 Subject Tests: Take after completion of the most closely related high school course. Focus on areas of academic success Take history and science after completing the highest level course work. Take languages after at least two years of study.

10. ALL SCHOOLS ACCEPT either test (SAT or ACT) for College Admissions !

11. How Do You Register?  SAT test: www.collegeboard.orgwww.collegeboard.org Dates: Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan., Mar., May, June Given 7 times a year MR test site-Dec., March & June Subject Tests – Given 6 times a year  ACT test: www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org Dates: Sept, Oct, Dec, Feb, April, June Given 6 times a year

13. Admission Ticket Guidelines Effective October 2012 New Guidelines initiated by College board Students are prompted to provide an acceptable photo during registration. Photo will appear on admission ticket. No ticket, no ID, no admission! Standby test-takers will not be admitted. Changes to test center, test date or test type will not be permitted on test day. Effective March 2013 Required to provide a photo in order to register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests

14. RESOURCES PRA – Princeton Review Assessment Only $10 dollars! Next administration is in February 2013 Register online at www.princetonreview.com/pra SAT/ACT Prep Courses: Flyers available Academic Coaches- register online – www.academic-coaches.com–academic-coaches.com The Answer - www.theanswerclass.com- www.theanswerclass.com Marriotts Ridge Student Services Newsletter: Provides a wealth of information on upcoming events and new resources for students and parents.