Standardized Testing

Standardized Testing Standardizing testing for college admission is an issue that generates many questions and anxiety. Colleges require standardized tests as a means to see how students compare to other college-bound seniors in the country. Most colleges that use test scores for admission purposes realize that different students and groups of students have different testing profiles and will take those into account. It is rare that a test score will make or break a student s chances, but instead it will be folded into the larger assessment of a student s academic ability and potential. College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Code and ACT Code Thayer Academy s CEEB code is 220-425. This number is needed for all test registrations and college applications. When you provide this number as requested during test registration, your scores will be sent to Thayer Academy. Testing Requirements Keep track of the testing requirements at each college where you are applying. It is also your responsibility to have test scores sent directly to colleges from the testing service. This can be done when you are registering or at a later date online or by phone. V-1

Most colleges require at least the ACT or the SAT, but some do not. For the schools that require testing, most will take your best scores, even if it means mixing different scores (i.e. SAT Critical Reading score from one test date and the SAT Math score from another test date). Schools don t have a preference between the ACT and the SAT and will take either one. A smaller number of schools (usually more selective ones) require the SAT Subject Tests. Score Choice: Students taking the SAT and SAT Subject Tests have the option of sending scores from select test dates (or select Subject Tests) while not revealing others. Students cannot isolate specific sections from different SAT dates. If students do not exercise this option, then all scores on the student s record will be sent to the college. It is important to note that some colleges are not participating in Score Choice and will require that students submit all of their test scores regardless. Most colleges will select a student s best scores from all of their score reports anyway and use those when making their admission decisions. Students will need to refer to the specific policies of the colleges on their list. For a list of colleges that do not require standardized tests as a part of a completed application, go to www.fairtest.org. V-2

SAT The SAT assesses your reading, math, and writing skills. Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200 800, with two writing sub-scores for multiplechoice and the essay. Critical Reading Section: The critical reading section, once called the verbal section, includes long and short passages for reading comprehension as well as sentence completions. There are two 25-minute reading sections and one 20- minute section. Mathematics Section: The math section covers number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis. There are two 25-minute math sections and one 20 minute section. Writing Section: The writing section includes both multiple-choice questions and a direct writing measure in the form of an essay. The multiple-choice writing questions (a 10 minute section) measure your ability to: Improve sentences and paragraphs; identify errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness). The short essay (a 25 minute section) measures your ability to: Organize and express ideas clearly; develop and support the main idea; use appropriate word choice and sentence structure; develop a point of a view using reasoning and evidence. The essay is scored by readers on a scale of 1 to 6 (6 is the highest score) based on the overall quality of the essay and your demonstration of writing competence. V-3

NOTE: The 25-minute essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice writing section will always be the final section. The remaining six 25-minute sections can appear in any order, as can the two 20- minute sections. For more detailed information on the SAT, go online to collegeboard.com. Thayer s suggested SAT testing schedule: We encourage juniors to take the SAT at least once during the school year (January, March, or May the June test is usually the best time for SAT Subject Tests). Some students prefer to take it twice before the summer. We also encourage students to take it once in the fall of their senior year. Here are some things to consider when deciding which spring date is best: If a student is currently in Geometry, he or she may wish to wait until the March or May dates. Geometry is tested on the SAT, so the student will be more familiar with the subject matter by the spring test dates. The May test usually falls around A.P. exams, so it can be an especially busy time for students in A.P. courses. Some A.P. students prefer to take the Subject Tests in May which aligns them with their A.P. Exam. In this case, they take the Reasoning Test in June. The January and May dates are the only exam days that permit families to order the SAT Question-and-Answer Service (QAS). The QAS gives students a chance to review a copy of the SAT they took, a record of their answers, the correct answers, and scoring instructions. The service also includes information about the types of questions and the level of difficulty of each question. V-4

SAT Subject Tests SAT Subject Tests are one hour tests in a single academic subject. You can take up to three subject tests in one sitting. The SAT Subject Tests are offered during the same testing dates and times as the SAT. You cannot take both the SAT and Subject Tests on the same day. You must register for two different testing days. Tests are offered in the following subjects: English Literature U.S. History World History Mathematics Level 1 Mathematics Level 2 Biology E/M Chemistry Physics Chinese with listening French French with listening German German with listening Spanish Spanish with listening Modern Hebrew Italian Latin Japanese with listening Korean with listening When possible, take tests that are offered near the completion of the appropriate courses. Only a small number of colleges require Subject Tests for admission. Those that do may require a subject test in a specific discipline if you are applying for a specialized program (i.e. Engineering). Typically, however, students can select any Subject Test they prefer. Make sure you check the requirements for V-5

each of the colleges on your list and make your testing plans accordingly. If a college doesn t require SAT Subject Tests, your scores won t count against you, though strong scores may give your academic profile a boost. Your SAT Subject Test scores are sent on the same report as your SAT. Thayer s suggested SAT Subject Test schedule: The best time to take SAT Subject Tests is in June, the conclusion of the academic year. At that time, students are taking final exams and all of the course material is fresh in their minds. Students taking AP Exams in May could opt to take the corresponding SAT Subject Test in May. SAT Registration and Test Date for SAT and SAT Subject Test Test Date Registration Deadline Late Deadline* January 26, 2013 December 28, 2012 Jan. 11, 2013 March 9, 2013 February 8, 2013 Feb. 22, 2013 May 4, 2013 April 5, 2013 April 19, 2013 June 1, 2013 May 2, 2013 May 17, 2013 **October 2013 ** ** **November 2013 ** ** **December 2013 ** ** *The late deadline requires an additional fee and chances of reserving your top choice of testing site are reduced. **Not determined at the time this document was created. Check www.collegeboard.com for the most up to date schedule. V-6

ACT (American College Testing Program) This is a testing program used mostly by colleges in the South and Midwest, but accepted at most colleges in the country in place of the SAT. It is a battery of multiple-choice tests that covers four areas: English, math, reading, and science. There is also an optional writing section that assesses your ability to plan and write a short essay (Thayer students should always register for the essay section). The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36, and students receive a composite score as well as sub-scores for each subject. Although the overall testing time as compared to the SAT is similar, there are fewer sections that last for longer periods of time. For example, English is 45 minutes, mathematics is 60 minutes, reading is 35 minutes, and science reasoning is 35 minutes. In the past few years, more students have taken the ACT. In some cases, the material on the ACT may be more suitable to a student s knowledge and style of learning than the SAT is. For those students who are struggling with the SAT or feeling that the SAT scores do not reflect their ability or success in high school classes, the ACT may be a good alternative. We have seen, however, that students who walk into the ACT without becoming accustomed to it in advance will rarely score significantly better than on the SAT. If students want to explore the option of the ACT, it is recommended that they prepare for it as they would the SAT, at the very least reviewing the material and taking several practice tests. For more detailed information on the ACT Assessment test, go to www.act.org. V-7

The ACT test dates: Test Date Registration Deadline Late Deadline* February 9, 2013 January 11, 2013 January 18, 2013 April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013 March 22, 2013 June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013 May 17, 2013 September, 2013 ** ** October, 2013 ** ** December, 2013 ** ** * The late deadline requires an additional fee and chances of reserving your top choice in testing site are reduced. **Not determined at the time this document was created. Check www.act.org for the most up to date schedule. Advanced Placement Testing The Advanced Placement program enables students to challenge themselves with college-level work and, perhaps, achieve advanced standing when they enroll in college. The A.P. examinations are administered in early May. Scores range from one to five, and each college has its own criteria for granting college credit, typically a score of three of better. For most colleges, A.P. scores do not factor into an admission decision. However, colleges acknowledge that A.P. certified courses are typically very rigorous, and you will get credit for challenging yourself. Thayer reports scores of 3 or higher on your transcript. V-8

If you have taken A.P. exams or expect to take them at the end of your senior year, you should plan to have your scores sent to the college you will attend. In May, when you make a deposit to the college of your choice, you can contact the College Board to forward your A.P. scores to that college to see if you qualify for college credit or placement in a higher-level course. You are not required to send A.P. scores to your college of choice if you do not wish to. TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language The TOEFL is designed for students for whom English is not a native language; it is used to determine the student s facility with English. The test is four hours long and uses a multiple-choice format in three sections: listening, comprehension, and vocabulary. There are two formats: Internet-based and paper-based testing. Students who have resided in the United States for longer than five years should probably not take the test. Colleges do take a student s bilingual background into consideration during admission deliberation. If you have questions about whether the TOEFL makes sense for you, speak with your college counselor as well as the admission offices at the schools where you hope to apply. For more detailed information on the TOEFL, go to www.ets.org/toefl. V-9

SAT versus ACT SAT ACT Emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills with some content (high school math and standard written English) Emphasizes content knowledge with some critical and analytical skills in reading, math, and science. 10 shorter sections (10-35 minutes each) for a total testing time of 225 minutes. Sections include Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. 4 longer sections for a total testing time of 175 minutes. Sections include English, Math, Reading, and Science. Essay is required and is always the first section of the test. Essay is optional (it adds 30 minutes to the total testing time) and is always the last section of the test. Math is 1/3 of your overall score and tests numbers and operations, algebra and functions, geometry and measurement, data analysis, statistics and probability. Some non-multiple choice questions Math is ¼ of overall score and tests prealgebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, co-ordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry. Multiple choice questions only Guessing penalty No guessing penalty Scores on each section range from 200-800. Scores on each section range from 1-36. All four sections are averaged together to reach a composite score. Colleges may require up to two SAT Subject Tests if you submit the SAT with your application. Most colleges will not require SAT Subject Tests when you submit the ACT with your application. There are a few exceptions. Offered 7 times per year. Offered 6 times per year. V-10

Which to take? The SAT or ACT Take the SAT if Take the ACT if you have a large vocabulary and excellent grammar. Both skills are highly useful in acing the essay and writing sections. reasoning is your strong suit. Success is based more on quick thinking than memorization of facts or formulas. you prefer tests that are fast-paced. Even though the SAT is actually 20 minutes longer than the ACT, it is broken up in a way that makes the pace feel faster. you are better at writing essays that call for recollection of specific facts and figures. you are book smart, and/or you don t feel your SAT score reflects your academic ability. The ACT is thought to be more straightforward and curriculum-focused than the SAT, so it can better reflect past academic performance....you have great verbal and reading comprehension skills. If you are a quick, thorough reader, the ACT might appeal to you since three of its sections involve reading comprehension. you are better at common sense English than formal grammar. you prefer to study/test with a group. The SAT is still the most commonly taken, so there might be more people to study and compare scores with. *Taken from Naviance s Are You Ready for College brochure. V-11

Test Preparation We cannot discuss testing without being aware of the variety of test preparation programs for all the different tests. Some students do take test preparation courses or work with tutors and find them helpful. SAT scores generally go up, tutored or not, 20 to 30 points with each repeat test. However, studies have shown that the average score increase after a preparation program generally does not exceed 50 points, and sometimes students even show declines. The math score responds more readily to specific tutoring than the reading score because the reading score is more a measure of acquired language background and reading completed over a long period of time. If you plan to take a test preparation course, it should be with a tutor or program that understands and adjusts to your learning style and academic level. To be effective, the student must invest a good deal of time and effort, which can create additional stress by taking away from course work, application preparation, and extracurricular activities. Remember that college admission officers see classroom performance as much more important than a test score from one Saturday morning. Thayer does not endorse any test preparation tutors or services, although we do provide facilities for a Summit SAT course in the winter/spring. However, if you are interested in pursuing a particular tutor or class, the college counseling section on the Thayer website lists some of the most common choices. In addition, we recommend that you check out the College Board website which offers an inexpensive on-line program to prepare students for the SAT. It V-12

allows students to work at their own pace, logging in and out when they please. Most importantly, this program includes several practice tests which will be most closely aligned with the actual SAT. Remember that standardized tests do not pretend to measure motivation, creativity, kindness, decency, sense of humor, and other human qualities that colleges take into account when considering applicants. These qualities will have more of an impact than 50 points on the SAT. V-13