SAT ACT or Both College Entrance Exams College

SAT, ACT or Both? College Entrance Exams

College Entrance Exams Are standardized tests that colleges and universities use to evaluate incoming students. the SAT and the ACT

College Entrance Exams Also known as CEEs Freedom High School’s College Entrance Exam Board Code aka CEEB Code is 472110

A National level standard Why take the tests? Tests of skills and knowledge REQUIRED BY MOST COLLEGES “Predictors” of achievement in college Assessment of Colleges

Colleges are looking at Grades in College Prep (core) Classes Strength of Curriculum GPA (Grades in all classes) NACAC State of College Admission factors in Admissions Decisions SAT/ACT scores Personal Essays/Writing samples

What are they?

SAT Scholastic Aptitude Test www. collegeboard. com

A REALITY CHECK

The SAT measures Evidence-based reading and writing words in context, command of evidence, expression of ideas, standard English conventions, analysis in science and history/social studies Math problem solving, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, functions and data Optional Essay

ACT American College Test www. actstudent. org

A REALITY CHECK

The ACT measures Knowledge of English Reading Math Natural Sciences Optional Essay

How are they scored?

SAT 400 -1600 (1600 is a perfect score) 800 points for Evidence Based Reading and Writing 800 points for Math Can send up to 4 free score reports when you sign up for a test date

750800 700740 650690 600640 550590 500540 450490 400440 350390 300340 250290 200240 Percent SAT

ACT 1 -36 for each of the 4 sections plus A Composite average score of 1 -36 Can send up to 4 free score reports when you register

99. 9 th percentile 95 th percentile 80 th percentile 50 th percentile ACT Does My Score Mean?

Who takes them?

Anyone can take the SAT and/or ACT They are College Entrance Exams Usually the tests are taken by Juniors in the Winter/Spring/Summer and Seniors in the Summer/Fall.

60% Of the Freedom class of 2017 applied to college before December 1 st

Where and when?

SAT ACT The SAT is offered 7 times a year The ACT is offered 7 times a year August 26, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 2, 2017 Sep 9, Oct 28, Dec 9, 2017 March 10, May 5 and June 2, 2018 Feb 10, April 14, June 9 and July 14, 2018 Anticipated August 25, 2018 At local high schools Registration is 4 weeks before the testing date. Registration is 6 weeks before the testing date.

SAT MORE INFO

SAT Evidence-Based Writing & Language 35 Minutes 4 Passages, 11 Questions Each Questions presented in extended passages Editing and revision; grammar Context of vocabulary & punctuation At least 1 informational data graphic

SAT Evidence-Based Reading Test 65 Minutes Meaning of words in context Identifying the main idea of the passage 4 Single Passages 52 Questions Cite evidence and form logical arguments 1 “Great Global Conversation” passage per test At least 1 informational data graphic

SAT Math Emphasis on Algebra 33% With Calculator 55 Minutes 38 questions Without Calculator Minutes questions Geometry <10% Inclusion of higher level math: Trigonometry 25 20 Real world problems focus on science and social studies Word problems; more reading Multiple questions building off single scenario Data analysis, probability

SAT Optional ESSAY 50 Minutes Check to see if it is required by the schools you are applying to 1 Common Prompt Measures students’ ability to explain how an author builds an argument Optional Rates students on strength of analysis and coherence of writing Keep personal opinions out of the answer

SAT themes Citing evidence permeates entire test Informational data graphics are throughout entire test Reading from wide range of texts, including “Founding Documents” and works from “Great Global Conversation” Vocabulary through context, rather than in isolation Math focus is narrower and deeper Essay requires students to explain and analyze how an author crafts an argument Science and History/Social Studies tested throughout

ACT MORE INFO

ACT English 75 multiple choice questions Production of Writing 29 -32% (topic development, organization, unity and cohesion) 45 minutes Conventions of Standard English 5156% (punctuation, usage and sentence structure) 5 essays with questions Knowledge of Language 13 -19% (word choice, style, tone)

ACT Reading 40 questions 35 minutes 4 passages, 10 questions per passage Average of 8 minutes per passage (Social Studies, Natural Science, Arts & Humanities, Fiction Literature) Difficulty level of questions within passages is random 3 rd & 4 th passages tend to be more difficult than 1 st & 2 nd Questions only contain line references about 50% of the time

ACT Math 60 questions 60 minutes Can use a calculator for the entire test Preparing for Higher Math 57 -60% Number & Quantity (7 -10%), Algebra (12 -15%), Functions (12 -15%), Geometry (12 -15%), Statistics & Probability (8 -12%) Integrating Essential Skills 40 -43% Modeling 25% More geometry than the SAT Need to memorize formulas

ACT Science 40 questions 35 minutes 6 -7 passages: Data Representation, Research Summary, Conflicting Viewpoints 5 -7 questions per passage Average of 5 -6 minutes per passage, to both read answer Difficulty ascends from passage to passage and on questions within passages Some passages will likely be harder than others, thus requiring more time Contains little to no Science content; focuses on methodology and data analysis

ACT Essay Check the websites of the colleges you are interested in to see if they require ACT with Writing 40 minutes A single prompt with analysis of 3 different perspectives Optional You argue for your own point; analyze the perspectives given, state your opinion and have examples to back it up.

ACT themes Smaller English section; less vocabulary, more science and geometry ACT sticks to the subject of each test, unlike the SAT Science section; experimental design, how experiments are built, difference between independent and dependent variables Must remain calm in the face of time limits; probably won’t finish all sections

SAT/ACT DIFFERENCES

SAT ACT More challenging questions Straightforward questions More time to solve problems Requires constant rapid pace Narrower focus of skills Broader scope of skills Requires deep understanding of concepts Requires instant recognition of concepts

Costs SAT ACT Test without essay $46. 00 Test with essay $60. 00 Test with essay $62. 50 Additional score reports $12 each Additional score reports $13. 00 each Late registration $29 more Late registration $29. 50 more

A REALITY CHECK

PSAT/NMSQT PSAT Preliminary SAT NMSQT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

PSAT/NMSQT Focuses on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education Measures your reasoning and critical thinking skills No penalty for guessing 2 hours, 45 minutes At Freedom in October Prepare for the SAT with free, personalized, and focused practice through Khan Academy®

PSAT Understanding My Paper Score Report 43

What Are My Scores? 44

PSAT Scoring 45

PSAT Score Percentiles 46

SAT practice with the Khan Academy Official SAT practice with Khan Academy

National Merit and the PSAT

National Merit ® Scholarship Program 49

SAT SUBJECT TESTS

SAT Subject Tests Designed to demonstrate academic achievement in specific subject areas Scored on 200 -800 scale 1 hour each Can take up to 3 subjects in one sitting Plan ahead to maximize scores- take after the class Very few schools require them (highly selective schools) You select which scores to send; check with admissions at your top schools

SAT Subject Tests Literature U. S. History, World History Math Level 2, Math Level 1 Biology, Chemistry, Physics Chinese, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Spanish (plus languages with listening)

SAT, ACT or both?

both? You may test better on one test For the Class of 2018 Take the SAT or ACT as soon as possible in 2017 Re-take your best scoring test in May/June/September Take the SAT Subject tests in May or June

You may want to Take the SAT over the ACT If you have a strong vocabulary If you are not a fast reader but a good reader If you have not taken math beyond Algebra II and Geometry If you are good at mental math If you have trouble with pace

You may want to Take the ACT over the SAT If you are really fast at your work If you like science If you don’t like the idea of no calculator on math If you have trouble with reading

Tips • Mark up the test booklet • Use Process of Elimination • Read the questions carefully • Plug in the answers; solve • Use the diagrams • Skip the hard questions • Fill in every bubble

The day of the test Bring with you Printed admission ticket Your personal photo ID EAT BREAKFAST Leave early Stay calm Approved Calculator 2 No. 2 pencils Water, snack

Test Prep

Free online test prep ACT Practice www. act. org SAT Practice https: //collegereadiness. collegeboard. org/sat/practice Khan Academy www. khanacademy. org/test-prep/sat Prep Factory www. prepfactory. com

Local Test Prep Turbo tutoring turbo-tutoring. com Kaplan kaptest. com Huntington Learning Center huntingtonhelps. com C 2 Education c 2 educate. com

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