COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS SAT/ACT/SUBJECT TESTS

1. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTSSAT/ACT/SUBJECT TESTS

2. Outcomes: • To understand the differences between the various college admissions tests. • To determine which test would be the most appropriate for your student to take. • To identify exactly how to sign up for an admissions test. • To become aware of the various resources (prep courses, Princeton Review Assessment) offered to students in order to improve testing performance.

3. Admissions Tests No –Juniors only- score is used for the NMSQT Sometimes Yes Yes 3 hours 30 min. with short break including essay-215 questions 3 hours, 20 minutes plus 25 min. for essay -160 questions 1 hour Can take up to three tests. 2.5 hours 10 Sections- Critical Reading (3), Math (3), Writing (3), and 1 Experimental which is un-scored 4 Sections – English, Math , Reading , Science Optional Essay Two 25 min. CR Two 25 min. M One 30 min. W By subject 200-800, +1 right, +0 blank, -1/4 wrong 20-80 each section, 60-240 overall, +1 right, +0 blank, -1/4 wrong 200-800 each section, 600-2400 overall,+1right, +0 blank, -1/4 wrong- 1-36 is average of scores from all parts of test, no guessing penalty No My College Quickstart Yes Yes Yes

4. SAT or ACT: Which test is best suited for you? FIRST……. • Take the PRA- Princeton Review Assessment! • Next test -February 2nd 2013 • Can sign up on PR website.

5. SAT or ACT: Aptitude vs. Achievement Which test is best suited to you? The SAT may be a better fit if: • You did great on the PSAT. • You have a killer vocabulary. • You prefer starts and stops when taking tests. There are nine sections and an essay on the SAT. • You can ace grammar. • You consider yourself “quick-thinking.” • Students must exercise educated guessing on the SAT because you lose ¼ point for each incorrect answer. If students can rule out one or more answer choices for multiple-choice questions – • they should guess.

6. The ACT may be a better fit if: • SAT or ACT: • Which test is best suited to you? • Your PSAT or SAT score is inconsistent with your academic performance in school. • Your vocabulary is not as strong as your reading. • You read relatively quickly. • You are more academic than test savvy. (The ACT test is more like a test you would take in school.) • You prefer four longer sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) to having interruptions and breaks during the test. • You are great at writing papers but do not have formal grammar instruction. • Students are not penalized for incorrect answers and should answer as many test questions as possible.

7. SAT SUBJECT TESTS • Demonstrate to colleges mastery of specific subjects: English, History, Mathematics, Science, and World Language. • 20 Subject Tests • English – Literature • History and Social Studies-United States History & World History • Mathematics-Mathematics Level 1 & Level 2 • Science – Biology E/M, Chemistry, & Physics • Languages- French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, & Spanish • Languages With Listening: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish

8. SAT SUBJECT TESTS • May be required or recommended • *Scores are used by colleges as an indicator of your ability to succeed in college. • *Academic ability to handle their curriculum. • *If interested in a specific major or program of study. • *Colleges may use these scores for placement purposes. • *Nearly one million SAT Subject Tests are taken by students. • Stand out to colleges • *Subject Tests allow you to highlight a student ‘s strength in particular subjects or programs of study.

9. SAT/ACT/SUBJECT TESTS • Which test to take and when? • PRA • Sophomore Year: Take the Princeton Review Assessment • Plan to take a prep course. • SAT or ACT: • Sign up to take a prep course. • Register for either the SAT or ACT test. • Juniors: Take the SAT or ACT test two times • Most sign up for the administrations between December– June • Remember to use our CEEB code: 210745 • Subject Tests: • Take after completion of the most closely related high school course. • Focus on areas of academic success • Take history and science after completing the highest level course work. • Take languages after at least two years of study.

10. ALL SCHOOLS ACCEPT either test (SAT or ACT) for College Admissions!

11. How Do You Register? • SAT test: www.collegeboard.org Dates: Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan., Mar., May, June • Given 7 times a year • MR test site-Dec., March & June • Subject Tests – Given 6 times a year • ACT test: www.actstudent.org Dates: Sept, Oct, Dec, Feb, April, June • Given 6 times a year

13. Admission Ticket Guidelines Effective October 2012 • New Guidelines initiated by College board • Students are prompted to provide an acceptable photo during registration. Photo will appear on admission ticket. • No ticket, no ID, no admission! • Standby test-takers will not be admitted. • Changes to test center, test date or test type will not be permitted on test day. Effective March 2013 • Required to provide a photo in order to register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests

14. RESOURCES PRA – Princeton Review Assessment • Only $10 dollars! • Next administration is in February 2013 • Register online at www.princetonreview.com/pra SAT/ACT Prep Courses: Flyers available • Academic Coaches- register online – www.academic-coaches.com • The Answer - www.theanswerclass.com Marriotts Ridge Student Services Newsletter: • Provides a wealth of information on upcoming events and new resources for students and parents.