College Testing Overview Mary Harrison mharrison@hewlett-woodmere 516-792-4123 Tom Ehlers

1. College Testing Overview Mary Harrison mharrison@hewlett-woodmere.net 516-792-4123 Tom Ehlers tom@methodtestprep.com 516-695-7067

2. Agenda • Overview of the SAT and its components • Overview of the ACT and its components • Scoring comparisons • Preparing for the SAT and ACT using Method Test Prep • Simple tips students should keep in mind when taking the exams.

3. SAT Overview • The SAT Reasoning Test is developed by The College Board. • For many years the dominant college admission exam • The test is scored on a 2400 point scale. • Test is 3 hrs. 45 mins. and comprised of 10 sections: • 3 Math—(2) 25 minute sections, (1) 20 minute section • 3 Critical Reading—(2) 25 minute sections, (1) 20 minute section • 3 Writing—(2) 25 minute sections, (1) 10 minute section • 1 Experimental • Test is given first Saturday in Nov., Dec., May and June. Second Saturday in Oct. and March. Fourth Saturday in Jan.

4. SAT Math Multiple Choice • 44 Multiple-choice questions covering the following topics: • Numbers and operations • Does not include: • Long computations or Matrix Operations • Algebra and functions • Does not include: • Solving quadratic equations, complex numbers, logarithms • Geometry and measurement • Does not include • Formal geometric proofs, trigonometry, radian measure • Data analysis, statistics and probability • Does not include • Computation of standard deviation • Questions have 5 answer choices lettered A-E. ¼ point penalty for wrong answers.

5. Math Grid-ins • 10 Student-produced response questions • Same skills tested as multiple choice • No multiple choice answers provided • Students enter answers into grid on answer sheet • No penalty for wrong answers

6. SAT Critical Reading • Sentence Completion: • 19 Questions • Multiple choice A-E • Test vocabulary and ability to understand complex sentences. • Passages: • 48 Questions • Multiple choice A-E • Short and long passages—Content topics include humanities, literary fiction, social studies and science

7. SAT Writing • Essay • 30% of writing section score • 25 Minutes to complete • Topics are abstract • Scored on a 1-6 scale, 6 being the highest • Scored by two readers, scores added together for total of 12 points. • Multiple Choice • 70% of writing section score • 49 Questions • Recognize sentence errors • Choose best version of a piece of writing (improving sentences) • Improving paragraphs

8. Important Notes About The SAT • If at least one answer choice can be eliminated, guess. ¼ pt. deducted for wrong answers. • More inferring/reasoning • All sections go from easiest to hardest except reading passages questions • Vocabulary is extremely important • More intimidating-questions look worse than they are • Plugging in numbers almost 20-25 of the 54 math questions • Question and answer service-January, May, and October

9. ACT Overview • Test is created by ACT, Inc. • Traditionally taken more in Midwest and some areas of the South. • No longer the case as every college will accept the SAT or ACT for admissions. • Has become much more prominent • Almost as many students take the ACT as take the SAT. • Scored on a 36 point scale • Test given in Sept., Oct., Dec., Feb., April and June

10. ACT Structure • 3 Hours 25 Minutes • 4 Sections Plus Optional Writing Section • English: 75 Questions (45 mins) • Math: 60 Questions (60 mins) • Reading: 40 Questions (35 mins) • Science: 40 Questions (35 mins) • Writing (Optional) 30 Minute essay

11. ACT English • 75 questions in only 45 minutes • Usage and mechanical skill are tested: • Punctuation, grammar and usage and sentence structure. • Rhetorical skills • Strategy, organization and style • Spelling and vocabulary are not tested • 5 long essays or passages • Multiple Choice often with “No Change” as an option

12. ACT Mathematics • Use of calculator is allowed • 60 Multiple choice questions in 60 Minutes • Covers all math up to the beginning of 12th grade • Pre-Algebra • Elementary Algebra • Intermediate Algebra • Coordinate Geometry • Plane Geometry • Trigonometry

13. ACT Reading • 40 Questions in 35 Minutes • Comprised of 4 reading passages with multiple choice questions • College level prose • Topics include • Social Studies • Natural Sciences • Prose Fiction • Humanities

14. ACT Science • 40 Multiple Choice Questions in 35 Minutes • Measures interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem solving skills. • 7 Question sets including: • Data representation (graphs, tables, etc.) • Research summaries (descriptions of experiments) • Conflicting viewpoints (opposing related hypotheses) • Knowledge of content is not critical to success.

15. ACT Writing • 30 Minute timed section • Tests writing skills • Presented with 2 points of view on an issue • Must take a stance and present an opinion • Students MUST sign up for ACT w/Writing!

16. Important Notes About The ACT • Answer every question • Sections are longer than SAT—students who work quicker and have better time management tend to do better. • Reading comp—more literal than the SAT, less complicated • 4 answer choices on all sections except math • Science looks more intimidating than it is. More a test of reading and reasoning skills. • Biggest challenge of English section is time crunch • Math has a larger range of difficulty than the SAT: covers higher level Algebra and includes Trigonometry • Test information release—December, April and June

17. Important Notes About The ACT What Are Institutions Using as an ACT Composite Score for Students Who Have Multiple Sets of Test Scores?* • An institution may adopt a "most recent," "single highest," or "combined highest" approach in defining what ACT composite score it considers: • The most recent composite score is simply the composite score obtained from the four test scores on a student's most recent test administration. • The single highest composite score is the highest composite score a student has obtained in any single test administration. • The combined highest composite score is the score obtained for a student who has tested more than once, by using the highest English, highest Mathematics, highest Reading, and highest Science scores to form an average—regardless of the administrations from which each score was obtained. • * from http://act.org/aap/infosys/scores.html

18. Scoring Comparisons

19. Preparation “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failing” --Colin Powell “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” --Alexander Graham Bell

20. Good Preparation Includes • Understanding your strengths and weaknesses • Learning basic and useful strategies • Plug in numbers • Grammar rules • Increase reading speed and strategies • Improve your vocabulary • When to guess and when to omit on the SAT and ACT • Making a Plan • Have a plan how to attack each question • Practicing with the material so you can execute your plan • Recognition is key • Stamina is very important

21. MTP Program Highlights • “Raising Your Score” checklist • 15 Minute segments of work • Program keeps track of all the student’s work • Vocabulary builder with “Words Mastered” and “Words Missed” lists • Timer on all questions • Immediate feedback • 2 Full length SAT’s and 2 Full length ACT’s • Grammar rules, math cram packets and sample essays

22. Strengths and Weaknesses • It is essential that students understand where they excel and where they need help. • While prepping, attention should be given to areas of deficiency • Use the test structure to make the most of the knowledge you have

23. Essential Keys To Performing On Test Day • Information—Being informed is key. Students who are well prepared will NEVER be surprised by the test. • Confidence—If students have a strong belief that they have done all they need to in order to be ready, they will do better. • Competitive fire—Pit the students not only against the test but against others in the room • Relax—Overcoming anxiety is crucial to success.

24. Simple Tips We Take For Granted • Get to bed early • Make sure you have a good meal before leaving home—a piece of toast is not sufficient • Get to the test site early • Make sure you bring a snack • Make sure you bring an acceptable calculator • Graphing calculators • Scientific calculators • Four-function calculators (not recommended)