Standardized Testing: What Does it all Mean?

Standardized Testing: What Does it all Mean?

Agenda Get to know the PSAT, Aspire, SAT Subject Tests, ACT and the new SAT Learn strategies for success Prep smarter, not harder

What Do These Tests Really Measure? How well you take the test! That s it we promise! Students are tested on subjects they have already learned in high school in order to compare their overall high school and college preparedness (as well as the preparation skills of their respective high schools) against other college bound juniors It is a common denominator How well you do on this test does not speak to your overall grades, GPA, class rank, etc.

What Makes them Difficult? Different from tests your take in school Amount of questions too many to finish Tricky language in the questions Common errors (traps) in the answer choices No partial credit on math process doesn t matter Points deducted for writing or multiple choice Long!!!

Let s Get to Know the Tests

Why Take the PSAT 1. Practice Run for the Real Thing 2. Get a Higher Score on the SAT Students who took the PSAT scored, on average, 120 points higher on SAT Students who took the PSAT their sophomore and junior year scored, on average 222 points higher on the SAT 3. Scholarship Opportunities National Merit Scholarship Program, Corporate Scholarships, National Achievement Program

PSAT vs. SAT The Skills tested on the PSAT Critical Reading, Math, and Writing questions are designed to be the same as those on the SAT. However, there are significant differences in the structure of both tests.

The SAT at-a-glance SECTION FORMAT/ TIME QUESTION TYPES SCORE Math 3 Sections Multiple Choice Grid-Ins Critical Reading 3 Sections Multiple Choice Writing 3 Sections Multiple Choice Essay 2013 Averages 200 800 514 200 800 496 200 800 488 0 12 7.2 Experimental 1 Section Multiple Choice Not Scored N/A Total 10 Sections 3 hours, 45 minutes Multiple Choice Grid-Ins Essay 600 2400 1498

The SAT at-a-glance Understanding SAT Scoring Correct Answer: +1 point Omitted Question: 0 points Incorrect Answer (multiple choice): -1/4 point Incorrect Answer (non-multiple choice math questions): 0 points If you can eliminate 1 answer choice, guess!

Reading Your SAT Score Report

Why Take Aspire 1. Practice for the real thing 2. Get a higher score on the ACT 3. Part of a comprehensive, curriculum based program beginning in 3 rd grade that helps build a solid foundation for future academic and career success Lets you know if you re on track for college Points out your academic strengths and areas you need to improve Helps you find careers that match your interests Connects you with more colleges interested in you

Aspire vs. ACT The Skills tested on Aspire are similar to those on the ACT. However, the structure of the test is different. Subjects include Reading, Science, Math, English and Writing Aspire ACT Sections 5 4 (Writing Optional) Total Length 4:10 Minutes 2:55-3:25 Minutes Scoring Index Varies 1-36

The ACT at-a-glance SECTION FORMAT/ TIME QUESTION TYPES SCORE 2013 Averages English 1 Section Multiple Choice 1 36 20.5 Math 1 Section Multiple Choice 1 36 21.0 Reading 1 Section Multiple Choice 1 36 21.3 FORMAT/ TIME Science 1 Section Multiple Choice 1 36 20.9 Writing 1 Section Essay (Optional) Total: 4 5 Sections 2 hrs, 55 minutes 3 hrs, 25 minutes Multiple Choice Essay 1 36 20.8 2 12 7.2 1 36 21.1

The ACT at-a-glance Understanding ACT Scoring Correct Answer: +1 point Omitted Question: 0 points Incorrect Answer: 0 points Answer every question. If you don t know the answer, guess!

Reading Your ACT Score Report

SAT vs. ACT ACT has Science reasoning questions. ACT has four trigonometry questions. SAT essay is required and first. ACT essay is last and not always required. SAT is 20 minutes longer.

Common Myths The SAT is an IQ test. The ACT is easier. Only take the ACT if you re good at science. Competitive schools only accept the SAT.

Score Choice Sending the combined top scores from multiple test dates Majority of students send all scores to all schools, but, wait to see their actual scores first. Each test registration comes with 4 free score reports. If Score Choice is not selected, prospective colleges receive scores Super Score: Most schools take the top score for each section from all of your scores. College also want to report higher test scores because it raises their ranking.

Subject Tests 20 one hour individual subject tests Can take up to three tests in one day (except for SAT Reason and SAT Subject tests) Recommended for AP/ Honors Students Scored from 200 to 800 (Same as SAT) Choices should be dependent on college entrance requirements for field of study Literature, US History, World History, Mathematics Level I, Mathematics Level II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese, Spanish Speaking, Spanish Listening, French Speaking, French Listening, German Speaking, German Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin

What Do Colleges Think? Facts: All schools accept the SAT or ACT. 89% of schools use SAT or ACT test scores in making admissions decisions.

How Do I Decide? Use your PSAT and Aspire results to guide you How did you feel after each test? Option to take both the SAT and ACT

SAT Test Change

Test Change Timeline PSAT October 2014 Class of 2016 takes final administration of old PSAT October 2015 Class of 2017 takes first administration of new PSAT* 2014 2015 2016 SAT * Details about the changes to the PSAT not yet released January 2016 Final administration of old SAT March 2016 Class of 2017 takes first administration of new SAT SAT Test Changes

New Test Overview Category Scoring Timing Features No wrong-answer penalty Scored on a scale of 1600 800 points for Math 800 points for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test, Cross-, and Sub-scores reported Optional Essay scored separately 3 hours + 50-minute optional essay SAT Test Changes

New Test Overview Category Structure Features Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test 65-minute Reading section 35-minute Language and Writing section All multiple-choice questions have only 4 answer choices Math Test 55-minute section with calculator 25-minute section with no calculator Includes grid-ins and multiple choice questions All multiple-choice questions have only 4 answer choices Essay Optional 50-minutes long SAT Test Changes

Strategies for Success

Strategies (Without Prepping) Slow down and answer fewer questions. You don t have to finish to get a good score Different difficulty = same amount of points Most sections go from easy to hard Spend more time on the easy questions Easy question have easy answers, hard questions have hard answers

College Prep Timeline 1 2 3 4 Freshman Year Extracurricular activities Prep for AP/Honors

College Prep Timeline 1 2 3 4 Sophomore Year PSAT in October Aspire in the Spring Take AP and SAT Subject Tests after completing courses Summer prep for PSAT

College Prep Timeline 4 Junior Year 1 2 3 PSAT in October for National Merit Focus on academics this is the critical year! Research admissions requirements for chosen schools Prepare for SAT and/or ACT Take required SAT Subject Tests

College Prep Timeline 1 2 3 4 Senior Year Take SAT and/or ACT for the last time Take required SAT Subject Tests Request letters of recommendation Fill out FAFSA and research scholarships Visit schools

Prep Smarter, Not Harder.

It s All About You! Consider Your Goals Timeline Schedule Learning preference

For more information please call or visit our website. 1-800-KAP-TEST kaptest.com/college Emily Holland, 201-803-1449, emily.holland@kaplan.com