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GCM College Testing Info Night

GCM College Testing Info Night. Question: Standardized tests are a lot of fun:. Gardner Humphreys College & Career Center Specialist George C. Marshall HS gkhumphreys@fcps.edu 703-714-5506. What are the Tests. SAT, ACT , (TOEFL, ASVAB, etc.)

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GCM College Testing Info Night

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  1. GCM College Testing Info Night • Question: • Standardized tests are a lot of fun: Gardner Humphreys College & Career Center Specialist George C. Marshall HS gkhumphreys@fcps.edu 703-714-5506

  2. What are the Tests SAT, ACT, (TOEFL, ASVAB, etc.) Trying to measure content learned or aptitude; about 4 hours Provide a common yardstick Both SAT and ACT widely accepted Not an IQ test, not the final word!

  3. Role in Admissions Most schools say grades and strength of schedule tops Scores used as check on a college's view of you; one more data point "Competitive" scores often mean a range, not a threshold; helpful if “on the bubble” Value can depend on context: intended major, geographic region, gender, etc. Weigh your time/energy/$ investment vs. return

  4. What’s Inside ACT 5 scores: Reading Math (Writing) Science English Scored 1 - 36 SAT 3 scores: Reading Math Writing Scored 200 - 800

  5. Differences

  6. ACT Sections - Science • One 35-minute section • 40 multiple-choice questions • Not like a school science test. Read science-based passages and answer questions about the passages. • Data Representation • Research Summaries • Conflicting Viewpoints

  7. SAT Sections - Essay Essay measures your ability to: • develop a point of view on an issue presented in an excerpt • support your point of view using reasoning and examples • follow standard written English • Essay about 30% of your Writing score

  8. SAT Subject Tests • Only some colleges require SAT Subject Tests • Up to 3 subjects per date • Cannot be taken the same day as the SAT Test • Timing – Junior spring? • Not offered all dates • Sometimes ACT is enough

  9. Languages Reading Only Reading and Listening Literature U.S. History World History Mathematics Level 1(Thru Geometry) Mathematics Level 2(Thru precalc and/or trig) Biology E/M (Ecological/Molecular) Chemistry Physics Languages: Reading Only French German Modern Hebrew Italian Latin Spanish Languages: Reading and Listening Chinese French German Japanese Korean Spanish SAT – Subject Tests

  10. Practice Tests At GCM: • 9th Grade - ACT Explore • 10 & 11th Grade - PSAT (11th - NSMQT) • Reports back to class in December • GCM should have extra copy • SAVE THAT REPORT or CODE!!

  11. ACT Explore The COMPOSITE SCORE is the average of the four core subject scores (rounded).

  12. ACT Explore, cont. • …SKILLS to work on to improve!

  13. PSAT Report What’s next? Use the access code on your report to log in to My College QuickStart, a personalized college and career planning kit. There you can: • Search for colleges • Get a personalized SAT study plan • Take a personality test to find majors and careers that fit you • www.collegeboard.com/quickstart

  14. PSAT See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT. You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online in My College QuickStart (www.collegeboard.com/quickstart).

  15. Make a Plan • What level of scores are my goal? • use Family Connection, other tools • Which tests are best? • Focus on low areas • Try ACT and SAT • Make a calendar • Try different methods, strategies

  16. Family Connection & GCM Library Test Prep • Create a Parent View account fcps.blackboard.com

  17. Family Connection & GCM Library Test Prep

  18. GCM Ranges (Not this kind) SAT Math 520-670 Reading 520-660 Combined 1050-1320 ACT Composite 23-28 * Class of 2014 Fall

  19. The Middle 50% SATACT • *VCU 980-1190 20-26 • *GMU 1050-1250 23-28 • UVA 1240-1460 28-32 • Tufts 1360-1500 30-33 • Beware Scattergramaverages • Look at context: school, region, major, etc.

  20. Registering Students register at: ACT www.actstudent.org SAT www.collegeboard.com

  21. Registration Steps • Pick date carefully • Get a fee waiver if you qualify • Select your 4 FREE colleges • Register online -- GCM not a site • Use official name and address • Decide if you want lots of mail! (SSS won’t send SSN, phone # or scores) • Sign up for “Question of the Day” • Changesonly until deadline, with fee

  22. Test Day • You slept, right? • Practice finding site, visit the room = less unkowns, more knowns! • What to bring: • Ticket, ID, calculator, pencils, snack • Checklist online

  23. 2013-14 Dates(no summer) • SAT • ACT • February 8 • April 12 • June 14 • ACT has “standby” SAT has “waitlist”, require pre-registration

  24. SAT Reasoning Test $51.00 for regular +$45.00 if use wait list $27.50 late/change fee Includes 4 score reports selected within 9 days of test. SAT Subject Test $24.50 basic registration, + $13.00 per subject tests + $24 for Listening tests Extra Reports = $11.25 each ACT $36.50 for basic test Includes 4 score reports selected up to test time $52.50 for basic + writing Standby + $45 Late registration + $23 Extra Reports = $12.00 each Fees 2013-14 * See about Fee Waivers for FRL or special circumstances

  25. Sending Scores Student responsibility Remember the 4 Free? Sent 3 weeks +/- after test date and posted online; after that 1-2 weeks after request, plus processing Most use Superscore for SAT Beware of Score Choice and Rush Cost: 11$ per school

  26. Common Questions • NCAA Division I Sliding Scale 400-1020, 3.550-2.000 GPA • AP and IB test scores • Scores and admission calendar (ED, rolling, deferred, waitlist, etc.) • Transferring • Community College • Schools outside U.S.

  27. FREE TEST PREP • gcmhslibrary.com – (ACT & SAT Subject Tests) GCM Library\Databases\Career, College, Lifeskills\Testing • collegeboard.org/practice-- PSAT code at My College QuickStartand SAT “Question of the Day” email or iTunes app • actstudent.org/sampletest– practice questions and sample writing prompts and essays • FREE study guides and practice tests in Career Center – Learn, after school, Mondays • Teacher Workdays – Jan. 27 & 28 Online Practice Tests

  28. Merit Aid & Scholarships • Examples: • Longwood – 1200 SAT/3.5 gets $8,500/yr • Ferrum – 1200 SAT/3.5 gets $20,000/yr • Check Family Connection; finaid.org; meritaid.com • Check with admissions and financial aid • Scholarship Dates: e.g. GMU is Nov. 1 !

  29. Test Optional Colleges • Verifywith each college.Often have requirements in order to qualify (e.g. GMU: 3.5, course strength, extracurriculars, teacher letter, estimated top 20%) • List of some colleges at www.fairtest.org

  30. Questions?(survey) Search: gcmcollegecareercenterFor the latest, follow us on:facebook.com/mstatesmentwitter.com/MStatesmen

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