1. College Admissions Testing CHS Student Services January 2015

2. PSAT One time per year in October One time per year in October Same as SAT minus essay Same as SAT minus essay –Measures critical thinking and reasoning skills Results in December—very useful! Results in December—very useful! 10 th graders—just practice 10 th graders—just practice 11 th graders—practice and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying (top 3% of testers) 11 th graders—practice and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying (top 3% of testers)

3. SAT 3 sections: Math, Critical Reading, Writing 3 sections: Math, Critical Reading, Writing Each section scored out of 800; 2400 total possible score Each section scored out of 800; 2400 total possible score Offered 7 times throughout the year: Oct, Nov, Dec*, Jan, March, May, June Offered 7 times throughout the year: Oct, Nov, Dec*, Jan, March, May, June Most students test 2-3 times in winter/spring of 11 th grade/fall of 12 th grade Most students test 2-3 times in winter/spring of 11 th grade/fall of 12 th grade

4. Structure of SAT 10 sections 3 hours and 45 minutes One 25 minute Essay section One 25 minute Essay section Two 25 minute Math sections Two 25 minute Math sections Two 25 minute Critical Reading sections Two 25 minute Critical Reading sections One 25 minute multiple choice Writing section One 25 minute multiple choice Writing section One 20 minute Math section One 20 minute Math section One 20 minute Critical Reading section One 20 minute Critical Reading section One additional 25 minute section of Math, CR, or Writing (unscored “variable” section) One additional 25 minute section of Math, CR, or Writing (unscored “variable” section) One 10 minute multiple choice writing section One 10 minute multiple choice writing section

5. Structure of SAT 10 sections 3 hours and 45 minutes Critical Reading- 70 min / 67 questions Critical Reading- 70 min / 67 questions –Two 25-minute and one 20-minute subsection –*Extended Reasoning, Literal Comprehension, Vocabulary, Sentence Completion Math- 70 min / 54 questions Math- 70 min / 54 questions –Two 25-minute and one 20-minute subsection –Numbers and Operations, *Algebra and Functions, Geometry and Measurement, Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability Writing- 60 min / 50 questions (1 Essay) Writing- 60 min / 50 questions (1 Essay) –One 25-min essay, one 25-min M.C., one 10-min M.C. –Improving sentences, identifying sentence errors, improving paragraphs

6. How is the SAT scored? A raw score between 200 and 800 is given in 10 pt increments for each section: Reading, Writing and Math. A raw score between 200 and 800 is given in 10 pt increments for each section: Reading, Writing and Math. 2014 National Average Scores 2014 National Average Scores Reading – 497 Math – 513 Writing – 487 Total score mean = 1497

7. SAT Subject Tests Only about 40 colleges in the country require SAT Subject Tests Only about 40 colleges in the country require SAT Subject Tests Students in AP level courses should consider taking them (some honors also) Students in AP level courses should consider taking them (some honors also) Typically in May or June upon completion of the course Typically in May or June upon completion of the course Colleges that require Subject Tests typically require 2-3 tests Colleges that require Subject Tests typically require 2-3 tests Subjects Tests can be used for admissions and placement Subjects Tests can be used for admissions and placement

8. SAT Subject Tests Literature Literature United States History United States History World History World History Math 1- Alg 2 and Geom Math 1- Alg 2 and Geom Math 2- Pre-calc/Trig Math 2- Pre-calc/Trig Biology Biology Chemistry Chemistry Physics Physics Chinese Chinese French French German German Hebrew (reading only) Hebrew (reading only) Italian (reading only) Italian (reading only) Japanese Japanese Korean Korean Latin (reading only) Latin (reading only) Spanish Spanish

9. ACT 4 sections: English, Reading, Math, Science 4 sections: English, Reading, Math, Science Writing is optional, but beware! Writing is optional, but beware! Each section scored 1-36 Each section scored 1-36 Can replace SAT with Subject Tests at most colleges Can replace SAT with Subject Tests at most colleges Offered 6 times throughout the year: Sept, Oct*, Dec, Feb, April, June* Offered 6 times throughout the year: Sept, Oct*, Dec, Feb, April, June* Growing trend toward students taking both SAT and ACT Growing trend toward students taking both SAT and ACT

10. How is the ACT is structured? Four tests and one optional Essay test English English –75 multiple choice questions –45 minute test Math Math –60 multiple choice questions –60 minute test –Emphasis on Geometry with some Algebra and Trigonometry Reading Reading –40 multiple choice questions –35 minute test Science Science –40 multiple choice questions –35 minute test –Questions based on science-based passages Writing Writing –1 optional essay –30 minute test

11. How is the ACT scored? Students earn 1 to 36 on each test Students earn 1 to 36 on each test ACT composite score is the average of the 4 sections (does not include writing). ACT composite score is the average of the 4 sections (does not include writing). Subscores between 1-18 are given to provide more detail about your performance. Subscores not typically used by colleges (focus on composite). Subscores between 1-18 are given to provide more detail about your performance. Subscores not typically used by colleges (focus on composite). The national average is 21.0. The national average is 21.0.

12. Score Comparisons SAT/ACT SAT Composite Percentile ACT Composite 2200-24009932-36 17307524 14904820 13703318 Participation at Conestoga: SAT- 92% ACT- 40% (and growing)

13. Test Registration Test Registration SAT and Subject Tests- www.collegeboard.org SAT and Subject Tests- www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org ACT- www.actstudent.org ACT- www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org Registration deadlines are about 4-5 weeks prior to test date. Plan ahead! Registration deadlines are about 4-5 weeks prior to test date. Plan ahead! Not Conestoga Valley Not Conestoga Valley Send results to 4 colleges for free at time of registration Send results to 4 colleges for free at time of registration Students with accommodations Students with accommodations

14. Reporting Scores- Score Choice SAT & ACT SAT & ACT –Select by date (not by section) Subject Tests Subject Tests –Select by subject test NOT likely to make a difference- Superscore NOT likely to make a difference- Superscore Note: Reporting scores is a student responsibility Note: Reporting scores is a student responsibility

15. SAT vs. ACT? A perspective from The Princeton Review… 1. ACT questions tend to be more straightforward. 2. SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary. 3. ACT has a science section; SAT does not. 4. ACT tests more advanced math concepts. 5. ACT Writing is “optional.” 6. The SAT is broken up into more sections/shift gears. 7. The ACT is more of a “big picture” exam. 8. Penalty for guessing on SAT vs. ACT.

16. Timeline Considerations Midterms Midterms Finals Finals AP Exams AP Exams Other commitments/involvements Other commitments/involvements Time needed to prepare Time needed to prepare When do you plan to submit your applications? When do you plan to submit your applications?

17. AP Exams Register in March at CHS Register in March at CHS –Use same name and SS# Classroom teacher will provide details Classroom teacher will provide details Can help with admissions and earn credit/advanced standing Can help with admissions and earn credit/advanced standing Students with accommodations—get the same accommodations as for PSAT/SAT Students with accommodations—get the same accommodations as for PSAT/SAT

18. TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language Test of English as a Foreign Language International students may be required to take this additional test for college admissions purposes. International students may be required to take this additional test for college admissions purposes. 4 hour test that measures Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing Skills. 4 hour test that measures Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing Skills.

19. Testing Preparation SAT & ACT SAT & ACT –Independent work –Online resources –Group classes –Individual tutors –SAT Strategies class offered at CHS Subject Tests & AP Subject Tests & AP –Must study! CHS classes, study books, etc.

20. National Center for Fair and Open Testing www.fairtest.org National Center for Fair and Open Testing www.fairtest.org www.fairtest.org Hundreds of schools no longer require standardized testing Hundreds of schools no longer require standardized testing Usually need to provide a writing sample or alternative submission Usually need to provide a writing sample or alternative submission There may be exceptions for select majors There may be exceptions for select majors

21. FREE SAT/ACT Prep: FREE SAT/ACT Prep: www.ineedapencil.com www.petersons.com www.number2.com www.khanacademy.org Resources Resources www.collegeboard.org www.actstudent.org www.fairtest.org Naviance- access through www.stoga.net www.stoga.net

22. THANK YOU! Questions? Please contact your student’s counselor.