The College Admissions Process for Parents: Standardized Testing. Presented by the Ridge High School Counseling Department December 1, 2015

Transcription

1 The College Admissions Process for Parents: Standardized Testing Presented by the Ridge High School Counseling Department December 1, 2015

2 Ridge High School Counseling Department Mr. Francis T. Howlett, Jr., Principal Mrs. Jillian Shadis, District Supervisor of School Counseling School Counselors Ms. Marguerite Cahill Mrs. Carrie Capozzi Mrs. Christina Marshall (for Ms. Wu) Ms. Rebecca Muraview Ms. Kimberlee Sweet Mrs. Jackie Treanor Mrs. Katherine Van Der Stad Mrs. Alexandra Vazquez (for Mrs. Cuccaro)

3 On Tonight s Agenda SATs: Current and New ACTs SAT Subject Tests TOEFL Test Preparation College Admissions Planning Calendar

4 Goal Reduce anxiety!

5 Current SAT Last test date: January 23, 2016 Should my child take the current SAT? Does this version count anymore? How? Can you still superscore the old version? How much testing is too much?

6 SAT/ACT Differences Redesigned SAT (rsat) (beginning March 2016) ACT Type of Assessment? Aptitude Test Achievement Test Test content? Timing? Scoring? Penalty for wrong answers? No Reading Writing & Language Math Essay (Optional) 3 hrs. (w/o Essay) 3 hrs. 50 min. (w/ Essay) Reading & Writing = Math = Total = Sum ( ) Essay = 2-8 on each of three dimensions; essay results reported separately. English Math Reading Science Writing (Optional) 2 hrs. 55 min. (w/o Writing) 3 hrs. 25 min. (w/ Writing) English = 1 to 36 Math = 1 to 36 Reading = 1 to 36 Science = 1 to 36 Composite = Average (1 to 36) Writing = 2 to 12 and it counts as 1/3 of the total English score, if taken. No

7 Superscoring To superscore is to take the highest score from each test section, regardless of test date.

8 Superscoring rsat CR M March May June Total = 1150 (out of 1600)

9 Superscoring ACT E M R S April May June Total = 24 (out of 36)

10 Superscoring Superscoring within the same test Superscoring across tests

11 Current SAT/New SAT Concordance Information published by College Board in October 2015: Timeline: Final concordance tables will be available on the College Board website in May 2016 to link the current SAT to the redesigned SAT. Concording Scores for the Class of 2017 Given that most applicants for the Class of 2017 will submit redesigned SAT scores only, most colleges will convert current SAT scores to redesigned SAT scores for this cohort.

12 SAT/ACT FAQs How do students decide between the two tests? When should students take the test(s)? Which score(s) should be sent to colleges? What is there for students who just aren t good test takers? Should I take the Writing section?

13 Ridge Testing Trends SATs Class of 2015 Mean CR 589 Math 611 Writing 581 Number of Test-Takers Class of SATs ACTs Class of 2015 Composite (Does not include writing) ACTs Average 26.3 English 26.5 Math 26.5 Reading 26.5 Science 25.8 Writing (Optional) 26.3

14 Test-Optional Schools Over 815 four-year colleges and universities across the U.S., acting on the belief that test scores do not equal merit, do not use the SAT or ACT to make admissions decisions about a substantial number of their incoming freshmen classes. These institutions range widely in size and mission. ~ FairTest

15 SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as the SAT-II ) Some colleges recommend or require them 20 subject tests available in five general subject areas (English, Math, Science, SS, WL) Most are offered on the same dates as the SAT Reasoning Test Each test is one hour long Can take up to 3 in one sitting Ridge AP (and some honors) classes prepare students for these exams

16 Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Used to demonstrate proficiency in English Taken by international students, or by students whose primary language spoken at home is something other than English Divided into four sections: listening, structure, reading, and writing Internet-based test.

17 Test Preparation Private classes and/or tutors Per district policy, we are unable to make any specific recommendations Contacts listed on the counseling website Self-instruction with prep books Khan Academy Method Test Prep 2.0 Free, online test preparation for both the SAT and ACT Accessed through the student s Naviance account (log in; click on the MTP link on the left hand side)

18 Method Test Prep 2.0 Highlights: Both SATs and ACT Breaks practice into 15 minute tasks Audio/video explanations of how to solve every question Listen to a professional tutor explain the concepts and questions that they are struggling with Immediate feedback on every question Tracks performance and indicates strengths and weaknesses Practice quizzes and full-length practice tests Practice questions and test-taking tips

19 Method Test Prep 2.0

20 Method Test Prep 2.0

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22 Sophomore Year Understand the College Application Timeline and Standardized Testing Options (Parent Nights in December/January) Take the PSAT Consider taking SAT Subject Test(s) Sophomore Career Module Register for the NCAA, if necessary

23 Junior Year Fall Semester SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER Sign up for and take the PSAT Visit College Fairs Attend College Representative visits to Ridge

24 Junior Year Fall Semester DECEMBER JANUARY Junior Module:Navigating the College Selection Process PSAT results distributed Financial Aid Night (December Bernards HS) Parent Night: College Process for Parents - Part II (January Ridge HS) Naviance Training for Juniors

25 Junior Year Spring Semester FEBRUARY APRIL Continue the college search process Scheduling for Consider taking SAT / ACT (consult your counselor) SPRING BREAK Visit Colleges Refine your College List Junior Conferences

26 Junior Year Spring Semester MAY JUNE AP tests Take the SAT/ SAT Subject Tests / ACT Arrange for letters of recommendation College Presentation (May 25th, Ridge) Complete Part A of the Senior Packet (due June 1)

27 Summer Before Senior Year JULY AUGUST Continue visiting colleges Schedule college interviews (if necessary) Begin to finalize your list of colleges Create a Common Application account after August 1st Update your Naviance account Brainstorm/draft essays Complete Part B of the Senior Packet (due September 19, 2016)

28 Next Month... The College Admissions Process for Parents: The College Search January 21, :00 PM Ridge PAC College Vocabulary Finding the right college Evaluation of the application Naviance

29 Q&A