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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
3. Scholarship Opportunities • National Merit Scholarship Program, Corporate Scholarships,
National Achievement Program
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
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.
SECTION FORMAT/ TIME QUESTION TYPES SCORE 2013 Averages
Math 3 Sections Multiple Choice Grid-Ins
200–800 514
The SAT at-a-Glance
200–800 Critical Reading
496 3 Sections
Multiple Choice
Writing 3 Sections Multiple Choice Essay
200–800 0–12 7.2
488
Total 10 Sections 3 hours, 45
minutes
Multiple Choice Grid-Ins
Essay 600–2400 1498
Experimental Multiple Choice 1 Section Not Scored N/A
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 3rd 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
FORMAT/ TIME
SECTION FORMAT/ TIME QUESTION TYPES SCORE 2013 Averages
English 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 20.5
The ACT at-a-Glance
Math 1 Section
Multiple Choice 1–36 21.0
Reading 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 21.3
Science 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 20.9
Writing 1 Section
Essay (Optional)
1–36 20.8 2–12 7.2
4–5 Sections 2 hrs, 55 minutes 3 hrs, 25 minutes
Multiple Choice Essay
1–36 21.1 Total:
• Correct Answer: +1 point
• Omitted Question: 0 points • Incorrect Answer: 0 points
Answer every question. If you don’t know the answer, guess!
Understanding ACT Scoring
The ACT at-a-Glance
Reading Your ACT Score Report
• 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.
SAT vs. ACT
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 ®
SAT Test Changes
March 2016
Class of 2017 takes first
administration of new SAT
Test Change Timeline
2016 2014 2015
October 2014
Class of 2016 takes final
administration of old PSAT
October 2015
Class of 2017 takes first
administration of new PSAT*
January 2016
Final administration
of old SAT * Details about the changes to the PSAT not yet released
PSAT
SAT
SAT Test Changes
New Test Overview
Category Features
Scoring
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
Timing 3 hours + 50-minute optional essay
SAT Test Changes
New Test Overview
Category Features
Structure
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
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
• Extracurricular activities
• Prep for AP/Honors
4 3
2
1
Freshman Year
• PSAT in October
• Aspire in the Spring
• Take AP and SAT Subject Tests after completing courses
• Summer prep for PSAT
3 2
1
Sophomore Year
College Prep Timeline
4
• 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
Junior Year
College Prep Timeline
4
3
1 2
• 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
4 3
2 1
Senior Year
College Prep Timeline
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, [email protected]