Standardized Testing Detailed Information

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Myrtle Nicholson
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1 Standardized Testing Detailed Information ACT Exam SAT Exam PSAT Exam PLAN Test

3 Standardized college admission exam Research has shown a correlation between test scores and how a student does their first year in college Content includes five curriculum-based tests: English, Reading, Math, Science, and optional Writing

4 The ACT is offered 6 times/year 2x at Shaler (Oct. and April) The test is 2 hours and 55 minutes, and an additional 30 minutes if the optional writing test is chosen, of testing time There are two kinds of questions Multiple choice Essay (optional) Cost of the ACT $35 (no writing), $50.50 (plus writing)

5 English Usage/mechanics Rhetorical skills language understanding Math Algebra 1 & 2 and geometry Reading Comprehension Science Interpretation, analysis, and problem solving skills required in the natural sciences Writing Essay

The ACT score range is 1-36 for each subject area The composite score is an average of the four test scores (does not include writing) rounded to the nearest whole number Ave.

6 The ACT score range is 1-36 for each subject area The composite score is an average of the four test scores (does not include writing) rounded to the nearest whole number Ave. score for a Shaler student in 2012: Composite 23.7 Students should send their scores directly to the college of their choice by filling in the college code where indicated when registering. Many schools will not accept scores on the transcript.

7 Juniors should plan to take the ACT at least once in the spring of their junior year A senior may want to take the ACT in the fall of their senior year if they are not happy with their first score

8 The best way to prepare for the ACT is to take challenging courses and to read and write in and outside of the classroom The ACT has a number of free online practice tools, visit Private tutor

9 The SAT

10 What is the SAT? Standardized college admission exam Research has shown a correlation between test scores and how a student does their first year in college Content includes critical reading, math reasoning, and writing skills

11 SAT Facts The SAT is offered 7 times/year 4x at Shaler (Oct., Jan., March, and June) The test is 3 hours and 45min of testing time There are three kinds of questions Multiple choice Student-produced responses (in the math section only) Essay Cost of the SAT ( ) $50

12 Critical Reading Reading passages Sentence completion Math Reasoning Arithmetic operations Algebra and geometry Probability and statistics Writing Essay SAT Content Multiple choice on identifying errors and improving grammar and usage

13 SAT Scoring The SAT has three scores Critical reading Math reasoning Writing Two sub scores: Essay 2 12 (1/3) Multiple Choice (2/3) Ave score for a Shaler student in 2012: CR 499, M 515, W 497 Students should send their scores directly to the college of their choice by filling in the college code where indicated when registering. Many schools will not accept scores on the transcript.

14 Who should take the SAT Juniors should plan to take the SAT at least twice A senior may want to take the SAT in the fall of their senior year if they are not happy with their first score

15 Preparing for the SAT The best way to prepare for the SAT is to take challenging courses and to read and write in and outside of the classroom The CollegeBoard has a number of free online practice tools, visit sat.collegeboard.com/practice SAT prep courses: available at local libraries, CCAC, Shaler HS, Princeton Review (these can be very expensive) Private tutor Remember any SAT prep course is only as valuable as the effort a student is willing to put into it

16 SAT Subject Tests Hour long content based exams that demonstrate achievement in specific subject areas Only required by top tier schools (check each school to determine if there is a need to take) The best time to take the exam is after the student has completed the HS course in that subject area (typically June after junior year) Register at sat.collegeboard.com Practice information is available at sat.collegeboard.com/practice

17 PSAT

18 What is the PSAT A practice for the SAT The PSAT and the SAT evaluate the same skills The score report gives personalized feedback on strengths and weaknesses By taking the PSAT in 11 th grade the student may be eligible to participate in the National Merit Scholarship competition

19 PSAT Facts The PSAT is offered once a year (usually the 3 rd Sat. in Oct.) This yr the date is 10/20/2012. Registration is through the school and usually begins the 3 rd week of Sept. (10 th and 11 th grade students receive registration information in homeroom) This yr registration is open 9/24/12 10/12/12. Cost of the PSAT (2012) $20

20 PSAT Content Critical Reading Sentence completion Reading passages Math Numbers and Operation Algebra and Functions Geometry and Measurement Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability Writing Identifying sentence errors Improving sentences and paragraphs

21 PSAT Scoring Scores are reported on a scale of The average score in 2009 for an eleventh grader was 47 CR, 48 Math, 46 Writing The Selection Index, is used to determine eligibility in National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs (NMSC). It is the sum of the three scores in each test section (CR + M + W). The Selection Index ranges from 60 to 240. The average Selection Index for students in eleventh grade is about 141. Note: Only students in eleventh grade are eligible to enter NMSC scholarship programs. National percentiles are also reported. This allows you to compare your scores with other students who took the PSAT

22 Who should take the PSAT Juniors (even if taken earlier for practice) for all students planning to attend a four-year college immediately after high school. Why? The PSAT is "Normed" for Juniors (which means they'll have the proper background of coursework to give them the best practice for, and the most accurate prediction of, SAT scores) 10 th and 11 th Grade students planning to request AP courses during high school should take the PSAT - it is one of Shaler Area's criteria used to determine eligibility for taking AP coursework. 10 th Graders who have scored high enough on other standardized tests (above the 90 th percentile) may benefit by taking the PSAT for practice a year earlier than the Junior year administration

23 Preparing for the PSAT The best way to prepare for the PSAT is to take challenging courses and to read and write in and outside of the classroom After the student registers they are given a practice guide to use for test hints and practice Visit the site below for more help g/psat/prep.html

24 After the PSAT Students typically receive their scores early in December. Their test books are also returned with their answer sheets Students should review their answers and assess why they missed a question All students who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive free access to My College QuickStart, a personalized college planning tool that complements the Score Report. Visit ores/report.html for more information.

25 PLAN Test

26 What is the PLAN? A practice for the ACT The score report gives personalized feedback on strengths and weaknesses An interest inventory where the student answers questions about what they like to do Results from this exam are used to determine AP placement, college planning and to determine the need for PSSA remediation.

27 PLAN Facts This is a District-Approved standardized administration for all tenth graders There is no charge for this test and it is taken during the school day test date 12/5/12

28 PLAN Content English 30 minutes Usage/Mechanics Rhetorical Skills Math 40 minutes Pre-Algebra/Algebra Geometry Reading 20 minutes Science 25 minutes

29 PLAN Scoring Scores are reported on a scale of 1 to 32 Your Composite score is the average of your test scores in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Next to your scores, you'll find the percent of students scoring at or below your score. This shows you how your scores compare to those of students across the country who took PLAN The other percents show how you compare to other students in our school and in the state The estimated ACT Composite score range is a prediction about how you are likely to score on the ACT if you take the right courses and work hard in those courses

30 Who takes the PLAN The PLAN is an achievement test administered to all 10 th graders in the high school

31 Preparing for the PLAN The best way to prepare for the PLAN is to take challenging courses and to read and write in and outside of the classroom Visit the site below for more help

32 After the PLAN Students typically receive their scores late in December. Their test books are also returned with their answer sheets Students should review their answers and assess why they missed a question The back of the Score Report describes the skills and knowledge you already probably have. You'll also see some ideas for improving even more in the different subject areas. The suggestions are based on your scores and can help you do better.

33 After the PLAN World-of-Work Map The World-of-Work Map includes the career area the student said they like best. It also highlights careers areas related to their interests based on the answers from the interest inventory This is a good time to look at the career areas and pick at least two to explore Look below at the interactive tool:

Testing for the Homeschooled High Schooler: SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP, PSAT, SAT II

Testing for the Homeschooled High Schooler: SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP, PSAT, SAT II Does my student *have* to take tests? What exams do students need to take to prepare for college admissions? What are the differences