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TESTING FOR COLLEGE January 14, 2014. TSIA Texas Success Initiative Assessment Designed to determine if student ready for college-level work College Admissions Tests ACT SAT Designed to determine readiness and predict future success in college courses. TSI ASSESSMENT.
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TESTING FOR COLLEGEJanuary 14, 2014 • TSIA • Texas Success Initiative Assessment • Designed to determine if student ready for college-level work • College Admissions Tests • ACT • SAT • Designed to determine readiness and predict future success in college courses
TSI ASSESSMENT • Replaces the old ACCUPLACER or THEA • New – September 2013 • Three core areas: Reading, Math, Writing • Required for any incoming public college student in Texas, unless meet exemption • Mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity • Blinn College in Brenham is a testing facility
PRE-ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY • Not scored • Designed to inform you about the importance of the TSIA • Sample test questions • Upon completion, a certificate will be emailed. This certificate must be presented with payment when taking the TSIA. No certificate, No testing.
TSI REGISTRATION • Complete online pre-assessment activity • www.blinn.edu/counseling/testing/html • Contact Blinn/Brenham to reserve a day for testing (Monday-Thursday only) • 979-830-4196 • Students are encouraged to prepare academically before attempting to take any assessment.
WEBSITES FORTSIA PREPARATION • While Blinn College does not endorse any one particular study agency, the following websites have proven to be valuable preparation tools: • www.studytips.org • www.testpreview.com • www.studyguidezone.com • TSI Pre Assessment Activity Sample Questions found at www.blinn.edu/counseling/testing/html • www.varsitytutors.com/practice-tests
WHAT TO EXPECT ON TEST DAY • Bring to test center • Certificate of Pre-Assessment Activity • Payment for test - $45. Keep receipt for payment. • Photo ID • Do not bring • Food/Drink • Cell phones • Calculators or any other electronic devices • Backpacks, large bags or purses • Hats / caps • Testing is untimed • Expect testing to take 4, 5 hours • Some testing has taken as long as 8 hours
TSIA PASSING SCORES • To be declared “college ready” • Reading • Scores of 351-390 • Writing • Scores of 363-390 • Math • Scores of 350-390
EXEMPTIONS FOR TSI ASSESSMENT • SAT • Math = 500, Critical Reading = 500, Combined Score = 1070 • ACT • Exit Level TAKS (2013 grads only) • Math = 2200 • ELA = 2200 + Written Composition Score of 3 or above HELPFUL WEBSITEwww.thecb.state.tx.us
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING • Standardized tests • Timed • Measure academic abilities • Determine readiness for college-level work • Used to predict future success in college courses • Registration takes place online • Students required to provide gender information and a photo of themselves upon registering • Photo is included on admission ticket, test center roster, and score report sent to school • No changes allowed day of test • Students must provide high school code Bellville High School Code 440575
SAT • www.sat.collegeboard.org • Cost - $50 • Three subjects • Critical Reading • Two 25-minute sections, One 20-minute section • Math • Two 25-minute sections, One 20-minute section • Writing • One 25-minute section, One 10-minute section • Essay – 25 minute section REQUIRED
SAT • Scoring • Individual subjects • Each subject score ranges from 200-800 • Essay has separate score 2-12 • Total • Composite of all three individual subjects added together • Critical Reading + Math + Writing • Highest Score possible = 2400 • Penalties • Typically ¼ point deducted for wrong answers • If you can narrow down choices to 2, make a guess • Otherwise, leave blank
SAT TESTING DATES • March 8, 2014 • Registration deadline - February 7 • May 3, 2014 • Registration deadline - April 4 • June 7, 2014 • Registration deadline - May 9
ACT • www.actstudent.org • Cost - $35 • With Writing added - $50.50 • Four subjects • English • 45 minutes • Math • 60 minutes • Reading • 35 minutes • Science • 35 minutes • Writing (OPTIONAL) • 30 minutes
ACT • Scoring • Each subject score ranges 1-36 • Composite or Total score – Average of the four sections together • Optional Essay – scores from 1-12 • Penalties • No penalties for wrong answers • Since incorrect answers do not count against student, always attempt to make an education guess • Always select an answer
ACT TESTING DATES • February 8, 2014 • Late Registration deadline – January 24 • April 12, 2014 • Registration deadline - March 7 • June 14, 2014 • Registration deadline - May 9
WEBSITES TO PREPARE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING • www.collegeboard.org • www.actstudent.org • www.march2success.com • www.majortests.com • www.sparknotes.com/testprep/newsat