1. ECA, SAT & ACT

2.  Algebra ECA ◦ Students take it during middle school (if offered) and during their freshman year ◦ Students are required to pass it in order to graduate  English ECA ◦ Students take it the spring of their sophomore year ◦ Students are required to pass it in order to graduate  Biology ECA ◦ Students take it in the spring of the year that they take Biology (freshman or sophomore year) ◦ Students are NOT required to pass it in order to graduate

3.  Your student will be given an opportunity to take the ECA at least once each year following the initial attempt  We will be offering remediation sessions in Algebra and English in order to help students prepare for the ECA  Mathematics and Language Arts Labs are courses that students can take that will give concentrated help in the respective subject areas and will also help students prepare for the ECA  There is an ECA waiver that students may qualify for if they are unable to pass the exam

4.  Check to see if colleges of interest require the SAT or ACT or if they will accept either.  If time and money permit, we recommend that students take both.  Take a predictive test (PSAT) or a free full-length practice test for the ACT and SAT online (at http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice, Princetonreview.com, www.Petersons.com and Ivybound.net ). http://sat.collegeboard.com/practicePrincetonreview.com www.Petersons.com Ivybound.net  ACT ◦ ¼ English, ¼ Math, ¼ Reading, ¼ Science (Writing optional) ◦ More curriculum-based ◦ May work better for students with shorter attention spans ◦ Shorter and generally more straightforward than the SAT and there are more knowledge-based questions ◦ Concentrates on grammar, punctuation and syntax rather than vocabulary ◦ Contains trigonometry and science (unlike the SAT)  SAT ◦ 1/3 Math, 1/3 Reading, 1/3 Writing ◦ More of an aptitude test focused on vocabulary, reading comprehension, general reasoning and problem solving skills  Source: www.InLikeMe.comwww.InLikeMe.com

5.  Sophomore Year ◦ Fall: Take the PSAT ◦ Spring: Consider taking SAT II Subject Tests in the courses you took this year while the material is still fresh in your mind. These tests are offered in May and June. (Most subject tests are taken toward the end of junior year or beginning of senior year).  Junior Year ◦ Fall: Take the PSAT ◦ Many juniors take the SAT for the first time in March, and the ACT in April. We recommend any time after the 1 st semester of the junior year.  Senior Year ◦ Students may wish to take the SAT/ACT again in the fall in hopes of improving scores  In General ◦ Start early: aim for at least 2-3 attempts ◦ Plan ahead, especially if your student is interested in Early Decision options  Source: www.InLikeMe.comwww.InLikeMe.com

6.  http://www.petersons.com/college-search/test- prep.aspx (free SAT, ACT and PSAT practice tests) http://www.petersons.com/college-search/test- prep.aspx  http://www.princetonreview.com/testfest.aspx (free practice test in the month of March) http://www.princetonreview.com/testfest.aspx  http://www.ivybound.net/newsletter/index.html http://www.ivybound.net/newsletter/index.html  http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice