10 Parent th and 11 th Grade Parent Seminar Presentation
Today s Presentation: Admissions Tests Overview Review of the SAT and ACT Your Next Steps
Why Admissions Tests Matter
Why Admissions Tests Matter Merit scholarships are awarded based on test scores and grades Nearly 90% of colleges placed considerable or moderate importance on test scores*
Test Taking Timeline PSAT PSAT/ NMSQT AP Tests/ SAT Subject Tests SAT or ACT SAT or ACT Last chance! Fall Sophomore Spring Sophomore Fall Junior Spring Junior Fall Senior
A Primer: PSAT, SAT, and ACT PSAT Used for scholarships Offered in October of sophomore year Taken in October of junior year (qualifies for National Merit) Helps prepare students for the SAT
A Primer: AP and SAT Subject Tests AP (Advanced Placement) Exams The culmination of a students involvement in an AP class Offered in the spring Can count towards college credit towards their degree Check with your schools of interest to learn more about AP credit acceptance policies
A Primer: AP and SAT Subject Tests SAT Subject Tests 1-hour standardized test on individual subjects Offered on same dates as standard SAT Some schools or programs require SAT Subject Tests for admission purposes Selective colleges usually require or recommend scores from at least two SAT Subject Tests
SAT (Post March 2016) Overview Category Features Timing 3 hours, 50 minutes including 50 minute essay Scoring Now scored on a scale of 1600 ü Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ü Math New optional Essay scored separately No wrong answer penalty 4 answer choices
SAT Scoring Details Composite Score Sum of the two Area Scores Range of 400-1600 Area Score Math Range of 200-800 Area Score Evidence-Based Reading + Writing Range of 200-800 Test Scores 3 scores: Math, Reading, and Writing & Language Range of 10-40
PSAT & SAT Scoring: How Do They Compare? SAT: 400-1600 PSAT/NMSQT: 320-1520 300 600 900 1200 1500 Composite Score Range
SAT Overview Category Features Evidence-based Reading & Writing Section Reading and Writing combined Reading details: ü ü ü No sentence completions Passage topics include US and World Literature, History/Social Studies, and Sciences (500-750 words) 65 minutes Writing and Language details: ü ü Focus on extended prose (400-500 words) 35 minutes
SAT Overview Category Math Section Features Three areas of concentrated focus: ü ü ü Problem solving and data analysis The Heart of Algebra Passport to Advanced Math Math fluency emphasized ü ü 25 minutes / 20 questions without a Calculator 55 minutes / 38 questions with a Calculator Grid-In questions
ACT Overview Category Features Timing 3 hours, 25 minutes including 40 minute essay Scoring Scored on a scale from 1 36 average score from four test sections: ü English ü Math ü Reading ü Science Optional Essay scored separately No wrong answer penalty
ACT Sections Category English Mathematics Reading Science Features 45 minutes / 75 questions Evaluate the structure of various passages: Usage/Mechanics/Grammar Rhetorical skills / organizing text 60 minutes / 60 questions Large focus on Algebra and Geometry A few Trigonometry questions 35 minutes / 40 questions Compare and contrast paired passages 35 minutes / 40 questions Data interpretation and analysis
Comparing the SAT and ACT
Optional Essays on the SAT and ACT Category Essay Features Essay is optional 50 min on SAT, 40 min on ACT Asks students to write a timed essay on a given topic, integrating text content
13%* of Colleges Require the SAT or ACT Essay Anderson University (IN) California Institute of Technology Claremont McKenna College College of Southern Nevada Dartmouth College Duke University Emory University Harvard College Howard University Marlboro College (VT) Pennsylvania College of Technology Prince George s Community College Princeton University Rice University Stanford University Texas A&M University University of California Schools University of South Florida University of St. Andrews (UK) University of Texas at Austin Yale University
Reading Passage Topics Sciences Humanities SS/History Literature Careers Sciences Humanities SS/History Literature New SAT ACT
Math Skills Tested Algebra Data Analysis/Problem Solving Geometry Trig Algebra Data Analysis/Problem Solving Geometry Trig New SAT ACT
Comparing the SAT and ACT ACT? SAT? SAT ACT What s the Difference? Reading More Social Studies Reading More Science Reading Math More data analysis More geometry Scoring No calculator section 50% math, 50% verbal Calculator use allowed 25% math, 50% verbal 25% science
What s a great score? It depends! Review your PSAT practice test results, or SAT/ACT scores Review your schools of interest and determine what their average SAT scores are School website Big Future via collegeboard.org
Your Next Steps Junior Year Senior Year PSAT in October for National Merit Qualification Focus on Academics this is a critical year! Research admissions requirements for target, reach, and safety schools Prepare for the SAT or ACT Take AP and Subject Tests Take the SAT and/or ACT for the last time Take AP and Subject Tests Request recommendation letters Complete college applications Fill out FAFSA Research scholarships Keep your grades up!
Setting yourself up for success: SAT & ACT DO Read, read, read! Pay attention in class Get an SAT or ACT book and do practice problems Get to know the format Take practice tests Why Reading comprehension is heavily tested reading for fun will help The SAT and ACT reflect skills learned in the classroom The types of questions repeat a lot The instructions are always the same You ll know what to expect on test day
Practice with a Purpose Take a free quiz or practice test & help a student in need. http://ktp.events/centralnj
Next Steps and Resources What do you need? Where to find it: A Free Practice Test learn what the SAT/ACT is like Online at www.kaptest.com SAT Change Resources www.kaptest.com/satchange Additional Resources about the SAT Change Where Do I Register for the SAT/ACT? www.collegeboard.com www.act.org Your College Counselors
Thank You! Ryan DeGuzman, Pre-College Programs Manager ryan.deguzman@kaplan.com 973-845-8855 Feel free to contact me, visit kaptest.com/satchange, or call 1-800-KAP-TEST for additional resources, classes, and information about the New SAT and ACT.