The ABC's of SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP Exams, and MEAP Exam Information

1. The ABC’s of SAT PSAT ACT AP Exams MEAP

2. Exam Information and Exam Information Resources • PHS Morning Announcements • Teachers • Counselors • PTSO Newsletter • Ms. Joyce Williams, Director, External Testing, PHS Career Center, 994-2116 • www.collegeboard.com (SAT) • www.act.org (ACT) • www.meritaward.state.mi.us/ (MEAP)

3. SAT I Scholastic Assessment Test I Reasoning Tests

4. SAT I What is the SAT I? • National college admissions test • Considered a standard way of measuring a student’s ability to do college-level work • Assesses verbal and math reasoning abilities • Ten sections • Three critical reading sections • Three mathematical sections • Three writing sections including one 25 minute essay • One non-scored “equating” section which can be verbal or math. This section is used to try out new questions or set the scoring scale.

5. SAT IWho should take the SAT I? • SAT I scores may be required for admission to a college • Many students choose to take the SAT I in their junior year, particularly if they plan on applying for early admission to a college in the fall of their senior year. • If the SAT I scores are a college admission requirement, a student should plan on taking the test no later than December of his/her senior year.

6. SAT IWhen is the SAT I given? • Administered on seven national test dates throughout the year: • October • November • December • January • March or April • May • June • Testing takes place on Saturday • Sunday testing is available for students whose religious faith prohibits testing on Saturday.

7. SAT IRegistration • Fee • Online registration is available and encouraged by the College Board • www.collegeboard.com • use major credit card for payment of fee • certain circumstances where online registration cannot be used • Fee waivers available • apply through counselor

8. SAT IRegistration • Registration deadline is approximately five weeks prior to the test date • Additional cost for late registration • Provisions for: • students with disabilities • Students can register to take the SAT I at any testing center.

9. SAT I Scoring • SAT I Scores • reported on a scale from 200 to 800 • Three scores: Verbal, Mathematics, and Writing • Raw scores are calculated as follows: • Questions answered correctly receive one point • Unanswered questions receive no points • A fraction of a point is subtracted for incorrect answers to multiple-choice questions. • No points are subtracted for incorrect answers to the SAT I math questions requiring student-produced responses

10. Score Reports • Score Reports available about three weeks after the test • View scores online • Receive scores by e-mail • Scores available by telephone

11. SAT ISending Score Reports • When registering, you can request scores be sent to colleges and/or scholarship programs. • Scores sent include the current and all previous SAT I scores • For a fee, additional score reports may be sent to colleges and/or scholarship programs: • Online using SAT Score Sender • By Telephone at 1-800-SAT-SCORE

12. SAT II Scholastic Assessment Test II Subject Tests

13. SAT IIWhat is the SAT II? • Test in a specific subject • One hour, primarily multiple-choice • Some colleges recommend or require applicants to take 1 to 3 of these subject tests • Students should be aware of the college admission requirements

14. Biology Ecological/Molecular Chemistry Physics English Literature US History World History Mathematics Level IC Mathematics Level IIC French-reading German-reading Modern Hebrew-reading Italian-reading Latin-reading Spanish-reading Chinese-with listening French-with listening German-with listening Japanese-with listening Korean-with listening Spanish-with listening SAT IISubject Tests

15. SAT IIWhen is the SAT II given? • Registration for SAT II same as for SAT I • Given most dates that the SAT I is given • Some SAT II tests are not available on every testing date • “With listening” language tests are only offered in November at specified centers • Portable CD player with earphones required. • SAT II should be taken when content is fresh in the student’s mind, at the end of a recently completed course like chemistry and world history • SAT II tests can be retaken

16. SAT IIScoring and Score Reports • Scoring for SAT II is similar to scoring for SAT I • Scores sent to colleges and scholarship programs by designating them on the registration form • Scores can be released: • Online • By telephone request 1-800-SAT-SCORE

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

18. PSATWhat is the PSAT? • Co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) • PSAT/NMSQT measures verbal reasoning, critical reading, mathematics problem-solving, and writing skills. The PSAT/NMSQT includes five sections: • Two verbal sections • Two math sections • One writing skills section

19. PSATWho should take the PSAT? • The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered to all juniors tomorrow 10/15.

20. PSAT Why take the PSAT? • Help prepare for SAT Program tests • Forecast SAT scores • Opportunity to qualify to enter competitions for scholarships and participate in recognition programs such as: • National Merit Scholarship Program • National Hispanic Recognition Program • National Scholarship Service and Fund for Negro Students • Telluride Association • Participate in the Student Search Service to get educational and financial information from colleges • Compare yourself with other students

21. PSATRegistration • For the last 3 years Pioneer has been providing the PSAT to all Juniors to give them an opportunity to compete for the various scholarships and also practice a standardized test. • Provisions for students with disabilities

22. PSATTest Results • PSAT/NMSQT score reports are mailed to the High School at the end of November. • Each school decides how and when to distribute the scores to students. • At Pioneer, results are sent to PHS and distributed to students by the counselors. • Score reports are not mailed home.

23. PSATScore Reports and Scoring SCORE REPORT • Scores reported on a scale from 20 to 80 • Three scores: Verbal, Mathematics, Writing • Raw scores are calculated as follows: • Questions answered correctly receive one point • Unanswered questions receive no points • A fraction of a point is subtracted for incorrect answers to multiple-choice questions. • Each incorrect answer to a student-produced response question receives no points • Selection Index - sum of Verbal, Mathematics, and Writing scores • Percentiles allow comparison to scores of other juniors. A student with a percentile of 53 has earned a score better than 53 out of every 100 juniors who took the test. • Score Report will show the correct answers and the student’s answers and the difficulty level of each question. • To convert to a comparable SAT I score, add a zero to the PSAT/NMSQT score (verbal and mathematics, only). For example, a PSAT/NMSQT score of 56 is similar to an SAT I score of 560.

24. National Merit Scholarship Program • Enter the Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the junior year of high school. • NMSC will provide scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools in the fall of the student’s senior year • To qualify as a finalist: • Complete NMSC scholarship application • includes essay about contributions to school and community, personal characteristics, activities, plans, and goals • Take the SAT I and earn qualifying scores • Notify NMSC of plans to enroll in college • 8,000 National Merit Scholarships of $2,500 are awarded

25. National Merit Scholarship ProgramOther Scholarship Awards • Corporate-sponsored Merit and Special Scholarships Awards • Provided by corporate sponsors in the National Merit Scholarship Program • A list of corporate organizations that sponsor both Merit and Special Scholarships is given in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin. • College-sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards • Officials of a NMSC sponsored institution choose award recipients from among finalists who have applied for admission and have informed NMSC that the sponsor college is their first choice

26. ACT American College Testing Assessment

27. ACTWhat is the ACT? • National college admissions examination • Measures knowledge, understanding, and skills acquired throughout student’s education • Tests cover four skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning, and optional Writing (beginning 2005) • 215 multiple choice questions

28. ACTWho should take the ACT? • ACT scores may be required for admission to college • Many colleges recommend taking the ACT during the second half of the student’s junior year of high school. • Many students take the ACT once as a junior and then as a senior.

29. ACTWhen is the ACT given? • Administered on five national test dates: • October • December • February • April • June • Testing takes place on a Saturday • Sunday and Monday testing is available for students whose religious faith prohibits testing on Saturday.

30. ACTTest Locations • Ann Arbor test sites include: • Pioneer High School • Huron High School • Washtenaw Community College • Concordia University • Skyline High School

31. ACTRegistration • Fee • Online Registration is available and encouraged • www.act.org • use major credit card for payment of fee • certain circumstances where online registration cannot be used • Fee waivers are available • see a counselor to receive a form

32. ACT Registration • Registration deadline is approximately five weeks prior to the test date • Additional cost for late registration • Provisions for: • changing the test date • missing the test • changing the test center • students with disabilities • Students can register to take the ACT at any testing center.

33. ACTScoring and Score Reports • Scores are mailed four to seven weeks after the test date. • View scores online for $8.00 fee • Scores reported for each of the four tests (English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning) • Scores reported on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest) • To determine scores on each of the four tests, the number of questions answered correctly is counted. • Points are not deducted for incorrect answers • These raw scores are converted to scale scores. • The composite score is an average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number. • If the ACT is taken more than once, a separate record is maintained for each test date.

34. ACTSending Score Reports • When registering, you can request scores be sent to colleges and scholarship programs. • For a fee, additional score reports to colleges and/or scholarship programs may be sent by completing an Additional Score Report (ASR) found on the last page in the student booklet. Only the records from designated test dates will be released. • Online ASR Request Form • Download ASR Request Form • Telephone Express Service • Request a form by mail • Submit a letter of request to ACT

35. SAT vs. ACT

36. SAT vs. ACT

37. AP Advanced Placement Courses Advanced Placement Exams

38. AP Courses • Advanced Placement Courses give students a chance to try college level work in specific subjects while in high school. • Courses offered by Pioneer High School which would prepare students for AP examinations include: • AP English (preparation for English Literature AP Exam) • AC English (preparation for English Language AP Exam) • BC Calculus • AP Analysis, AB Calculus (preparation for Calculus (AB) AP Exam) • AP U.S. History • AP Biology • AP Chemistry • AP Physics • AP American Government and Politics • AP Computer Science • AP Statistics • AP Latin • AP Spanish • AP French • AP German • Humanities (preparation for AP Exams in Art History, English Literature, World History )

39. AP ExamsWhat are AP Exams? • AP Exams test a student’s ability to perform at a college level. • Exams contain either an essay or problem-solving section and a section of multiple-choice questions. The modern language exams also have a speaking component. • “Qualifying” scores on Advanced Placement Exams may entitle a student to credit or advanced placement at college.

40. Art History (PHS: Humanities) Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Computer Science A Computer Science B Economics English Language English Literature Environmental Science (no PHS course) European History French German Language Government and Politics (Comparative) (U.S.) Human Geography (no PHS course) Latin (Virgil) Music Theory Physics (C) Psychology (no PHS course) Spanish Statistics Studio Art U.S. History World History* AP ExamsExcept where designated, PHS offers courses designed to prepare the student for the AP Exam

41. AP ExamsWho takes the AP Exams? • Any student can register to take an AP exam. • A student does not have to take an AP course to take an AP exam. • AP courses and exams typically taken in the junior and senior year. • Students can take an exam more than one time. • Students taking AP exams will miss class time.

42. AP ExamsWhen are the AP Exams given? • Administered on a national schedule in May of each year. • AP Exams are usually scheduled during the first two weeks in May • Suggested starting times are 8:00 AM for the morning session and 1:00 PM for the afternoon session. • Some exams are scheduled for the same time slot. If your student has a scheduling conflict, contact Joyce Williams. • Calendar of exam times available at www.collegeboard.com

43. AP ExamsTest Locations • Large convention facilities in the Ann Arbor area • Local High Schools • Buildings and Room Numbers are available from Joyce Williams at PHS Career Center

44. APAP Exam Registration • Fee • approximately $100 • Register at Pioneer High School at the General Office • Registration for AP Exams begins in February • Fee reductions are available for students demonstrating financial need.

45. AP ExamsTest Day • Most exams take two to three hours to complete • Students should have: • No. 2 pencils with erasers • black or dark blue pen • Pioneer code number • Approved calculator for the Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, or Statistics exams • Ruler/Straight edge for Physics Exam • Social Security Number • Receive AP Candidate Pack • numbers on pack will be the official AP number for that testing period

46. AP ExamsScoring • AP Exams are scored from 1 to 5 as follows: • 5 - Extremely well-qualified • 4 - Well-qualified • 3 - Qualified • 2 - Possibly qualified • 1 - No recommendation • For a score of 2 or greater, a student may qualify to receive college credit or advanced placement • It is at the discretion of the individual college as to whether or not college credit or advance standing (i.e. sophomore placement in a particular subject area) will be given.

47. AP ExamsGrade Reports • Grade reports online in July • Grade report sent to the college the student designated on the exam answer sheet • Grade report sent to PHS • Grade reports are cumulative, included are grades on AP Exams taken in the current year and in previous years unless a request has been made to withhold previous grades • For a fee, additional grade reports can be sent: • Complete second part of AP Grade Report • Telephone or e-mail request to send AP Transcripts

48. AP ExamsWithholding a GradeCanceling a Grade • A written request can be made to withhold an AP grade from a report. • To permanently cancel an AP grade, complete an AP Cancellation Form and return it to AP Services no later than June 15 following the exam.

49. MEAP / MME Moved this year to the spring of 2015 MME Spring 2015

50. MEAPWhat is the MEAP High School Test? • Subject areas tested: Social Studies 9th grade in the spring