Welcome! NUMATS: Northwestern University s Midwest Academic Talent Search Orientation Meeting

Transcription

1 Welcome! NUMATS: Northwestern University s Midwest Academic Talent Search Orientation Meeting

2 Background on Talent Search Why does the program exist? Why participate? Test-taking practice (scores not sent to colleges) Identify areas of strength Access to programs Contact me if you hope to get credit/placement! Early information on colleges Scores used only positively in our district

3 Eligibility Northwestern has set the 90 th percentile or above as the recommended minimum score level on the Forward standardized test. Parents may also nominate their children, regardless of test score.

4 Participation: 7 th Graders 7 th Graders: We recommend you take the ACT. Score can be compared to the Aspire test score from 8 th grade. ACT scores can be used within the College and Career Readiness benchmark system we are using in the district.

5 Participation: 8 th Grade 8th Graders: We recommend the SAT if you didn t take it already. However, the choice is yours. Great test prep! ACT: to see how it compares to your Aspire score from 8 th grade or to your 7 th grade NUMATS score Please remember that we recommend that all NUMATS-eligible kids take the SAT for practice at least once in middle school.

6 Preparation for the Test Use what ACT or SAT sends you. You may also use the materials on the NUMATS Toolbox site. No need for extra practice. Please don t feel you need to purchase or use any test preparation materials.

7 SAT This Year The test is now the redesigned version. The essay is optional in the redesigned test. NUMATS percentiles for this test are now available for this redesigned test. For college-bound high school students:

8 Test Strategies ACT: You may guess. You are not penalized by guessing. SAT: You may guess! The new SAT does not penalize for guessing. SAT revised to make their test more in line with the ACT in many ways, e.g. guessing and 4 answer choices not 5.

9 Interpretation Interpreting your scores: Same score as if you were a college bound junior or senior. NUMATS will give you a percentile to let you know how you compare with other NUMATS students, e.g. See Mrs. Schlei s website for more information. Lake Shore s page.

10 Interpretation NUMATS will send you information that will help you to interpret the scores. In addition, you may access my website by going to the Student Resources tab and looking for teacher websites: Steffen s page. Feel free to schedule an appointment: rschlei@mtsd.k12.wi.us.

11 Making the Decision This is an individual decision. If you re a 7 th grader and don t take the test this year, you may still take it next year in 8 th grade. You are still eligible for our district programming whether or not you take the test and regardless of the scores you receive.

12 Grade 9 You will get a mailing direct from Northwestern in the fall once you ve taken the test in either 7 th or 8 th grade. It is NOT necessary to pay for NUMATS for a student to take the ACT or SAT in high school. You may take the ACT or SAT at any time during high school for practice. Just don t put any college codes or Homestead code down for the testing agency to send scores out.

13 Grades 9-12 Most students should plan to take the SAT and/or the ACT for college admission by February of junior year. This gives time to retake the test during junior year if need be. Our grade 11 standardized testing allows students to take the PSAT and also a practice ACT. Remember that the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. That test sitting is the only time students can take that test.

14 Registration Online registration The link for online registration is on the Q & A sheet. The website for registration online mats Please see the NUMATS website for testing deadlines. The test dates are all available at the link above. The earlier you register, the higher the likelihood of getting your first choice test site.

15 See the Online Q & A Sheet for Codes and Registration Info The information on the next slides can be found on Mrs. Schlei s website. Mrs. Schlei s NUMATS Information Site

16 Filling Out the Registration Form (Paper or Online) Qualifying Information: Wisconsin state test: Forward test score If you came from another district, please select the appropriate oval for your qualifying information. NUMATS ID Number Lake Shore: Steffen:

17 Registration School Information (online on Q & A): Lake Shore: N. Range Line Rd, Mequon, WI Steffen: 6633 W. Steffen Dr., Mequon, WI 53092

18 Registration. Choose your test Online: that takes you to sections only for that test.

19 Registration Special Requests: Non-Saturday testing available Documented disability Codes for Test Center Choices: SAT: HHS Nicolet ACT: HHS Port Washington High School: Germantown High School: It is important to put down two choices!

20 Payment NUMATS Fee covers: A Long-Range Academic Plan, A Planning & Resource Guide, A Statistical Summary of all participants' scores, Talent newsletter, The Educational Program Guide (sent separately). A certificate of participation,

21 After You Register You will receive test prep materials, etc. directly from the testing agency. If you haven t gotten anything after about 3 weeks, contact NUMATS at If you must change your test date or lose materials, contact the testing agency directly. (See Mrs. Schlei s website for telephone numbers.)

22 The Day of the Test Take your admission ticket and ID form. Bring: 2 #2 pencils, an eraser, a calculator and extra batteries, snacks. Plan to arrive by 8:00 a.m. for the ACT or 7:45 a.m. for the SAT. The test takes about 4 hours and is over between 12:30 and 1:00. Don t be nervous--relax! :)

23 If you need more information Visit Mrs. Schlei s website: enter via Lake Shore or Steffen s home page: Navigation to Mrs. Schlei s Web Page Q and A Sheet Information on interpreting the scores And more! If you have questions, please feel free to me: rschlei@mtsd.k12.wi.us.

24 Questions?