Contact Information Emily Haxton SAT Site Coordinator for LC emilyhSpokaneschoolsorg 5093546906 Why do you need to take the SAT or ACT Most 4year colleges require students to submit either SAT or ACT scores as part of their application portfolio ID: 732929
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Slide1
SAT/ACT Boot Camp
Taking the Mystery out of College Entrance ExamsSlide2
Contact Information
Emily
Haxton
, SAT Site Coordinator for LC
emilyh@Spokaneschools.org
509.354.6906Slide3
Why do you need to take the SAT or ACT?
Most 4-year colleges require students to submit either SAT or ACT scores as part of their application portfolio
Most of the time either test will meet this requirement
Applying to Brigham Young University? They’ll only take the ACT.
Even if you think you don’t need to take a test (headed to the military, community college after high school), it’s a
VERY
GOOD
idea to have a score on file.
I have graduates come back every year to take the SAT because they changed their life plan and now need an SAT score.Slide4
SAT or ACT?Slide5
SAT or ACT? Basics
S
cholastic
A
ptitude
T
est
C
ritical
Reading: includes reading and analyzing passages and sentence completion.Critical Writing: includes a short essay and multiple-choice questions on identifying errors and improving grammar and usage.Mathematics: includes questions on arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability.
American College Test
English:
Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
Mathematics:
Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
Science:
Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
Reading:
Measures reading comprehension.
Writing (Optional):
Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.Slide6
SAT or ACT? Basics
Both tests aim to measure the skills and knowledge you’ll need to be successful in college.
The redesigned SAT, launching in March of 2016, is a much closer match to the ACT
Advantages/Disadvantages?
The only real difference between the two is that the ACT tests science knowledge.
Home court advantage for the SAT – it’s offered here, the ACT at Ferris
If you’ve had trouble with one test, taking the other could be a clean slate.Slide7
SAT or ACT? Subject Tests
The SAT also offers Subject Tests
Each test is an hour long, and you can take up to three tests in one day
They test your deeper knowledge on specific subjects
A few colleges require Subject Tests, but most students take them to make themselves more attractive to prospective colleges
Headed towards a medical degree? You may want to show off your Biology prowessSlide8
SAT or ACT? Subject Tests
Literature
U.S. History
World History
Math Level 1
Math Level 2
Biology/EM
Chemistry
Physics
French French with Listening German German with Listening Spanish Spanish with Listening Modern Hebrew Italian Latin
Chinese with Listening Japanese with Listening Korean with ListeningSlide9
SAT or ACT? Length
SAT
Reading:
65 minutes
Writing/Language:
45 minutes
Math 1:
25 minutes
Math 2:
55 minutes
Essay (Optional): 1 prompt, 50 minutesTotal testing time estimate: 5.5 hoursACT
English: 75 questions, 45 minutesMathematics: 60 questions, 60 minutesReading: 40 questions, 35 minutesScience:
40 questions, 35 minutes
Writing (Optional):
1 prompt, 40 minutes
Total testing time estimate: 5.25 hoursSlide10
SAT or ACT? Scoring
SAT
Total score out of
2400
A score each for critical reading, critical writing, and mathematics
Score range of 200 – 800 per
section
Total score found by adding your three section scores
ACT
Total score out of
36 A score each for English, math, reading, and science
Score range of 1 – 36 for each sectionTotal score found by averaging your four test scores and rounding to the nearest whole numbersEssay, if written, is given a completely separate score (1 – 36)
***Note: Most
colleges take your highest composite score (highest totals for each section
), but a
few
only take
your highest single-day
score. Plan accordingly! Slide11
SAT or ACT? Scoring
SAT scores are available online about three weeks after the test date
Four free score reports are included when you register for the test
Additional reports available for a
fee ($11.25)
ACT scores are available online about two weeks after the test date
Four free score reports are included when you register for the test
Additional reports available for a fee ($12.00)Slide12
SAT or ACT? Redesigned SAT
Beginning in March of 2016, the style/format of the SAT will change.
Key changes:
The test better reflects what you’re learning in class
SAT vocabulary words have been eliminated
No longer a penalty for incorrect answers
Focuses on math skills that are most relevant for college/career
Partnership b/w College Board and Khan Academy to offer free test preparation (more info to follow)Slide13
SAT or ACT? Redesigned SAT
Specifically, you’ll see questions about:
Words in Context
Command of Evidence (interpreting, analyzing)
An Essay Analyzing a Source (text)
Math that Matters Most (Algebra, problem-solving, data analysis)
Problems Grounded in Real-World Contexts
Analysis in Science and in History/Social Studies
U.S. Founding Documents and the Great Global ConversationSlide14
SAT or ACT? New Test vs. Old Test
Old SAT
Emphasis on general reasoning skills
Emphasis on vocabulary, often out of context
Complex scoring (1 point for correct answers, .25 deducted for wrong answers, 0 points for blank answers
Essay – required – writer takes a position on an issue
New SAT
Emphasis on reasoning in conjunction with knowledge & skills necessary for college and career readiness
Emphasis on the meaning of words in context & impact of words on meaning and tone of a text
Simple scoring – (1 point for correct answers, no penalty for wrong answers)
Essay – optional – writer analyzes and writes about a given testSlide15
SAT or ACT? Scoring the Redesigned Test
400 – 1600 total score range
Total score is found by adding two section scores
200 – 800 points for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
200 – 800 for
Math
Essay, if written, is given a completely separate score (2 – 8)
Other scores (Test Scores, Cross-Test Scores, and
Subscores
) give you more specific feedback on question categories, but they are
NOT part of your total score. Slide16
Test Dates
2015 – 2016 school yearSlide17
Test Dates
SAT
ACT
December 5
th
December 12
th
sign up by 11/5
sign up by 11/6
January 23
rd
(not offered at LC)
sign up by 12/28
February 6
th
*March 5
th
sign up by 1/8
sign up by 2/5
April 9
th
*May 7
th
sign up by 3/4
sign up by 4/8
*June 4
th
June 11
th
sign up by 5/5
sign up by 5/6Slide18
Test Dates
The SAT is offered at LC
every
October, November, December, March, May, and June
The January test is NOT offered at LC, but is offered at Ferris this year
The ACT is offered at Ferris this year during December, February, April, and June
*** Make sure to sign up by the registration deadlines in order to avoid paying late fees!!!Slide19
Test Dates: When to Test
Both the SAT and ACT are designed to be taken during the spring of your junior year
You will have
plenty
of opportunities to retake either test, but it’s a good idea to get a rough idea of what test dates work for you
Keep in mind SAT Subject Tests cannot be taken the same day as the Standard SAT
Schedule conflicts (extra
curriculars
, AP test season, early action college applications)
On average, students score 200 points better the second time they take the SAT
without studying; plan on taking the test at least twice to maximize your scoreSlide20
Test CostsSlide21
Test Costs: SAT
SAT
$54.50 with essay
$43.00 w/out essay
+ $28 for late registration
+ $46 for waitlist registration (no guarantee you’ll be able to take the test; fee refunded if you’re denied entry
)Slide22
Test Costs: SAT
SAT Subject Tests
$26
$18 for each additional test (up to three in one day)
+ $26 for language w/ listening
testsSlide23
Test Costs: ACT
ACT
$56.50 with essay
$39.50 w/out essay
+ $25 for late registration
+ $49 for standby registration (no guarantee you’ll be able to take the test; fee refunded if you’re denied entry)Slide24
Test Costs: Fee Waivers
If paying for the tests is difficult, never fear! You have options:
Fee waivers are available via your counselor
Free & Reduced lunch qualification
GEAR UP Test Grants
See Mrs. Maguire in room
228
Make sure to take advantage of these opportunities well before the registration deadlines!!!Slide25
Test PreparationSlide26
Test Prep: SAT
SAT website –
www.sat.collegeboard.org
Question of the day, practice tests, more information than I can possibly give you
Khan Academy –
www.khanacademy.org
Personalized test practice based on your strengths and weaknesses
SAT Word/Question of the Day Apps
May be antiquated come March, but watch for updates or new appsSlide27
Test Prep: ACT
ACT website –
www.act.org
Question of the day, practice tests, more information than I can possibly give
you
ACT
Word/Question of the Day AppsSlide28
Test Prep: Other Tests
Believe it or not, taking state exams like the SBAC or course exams like AP tests can improve your ability to test well on the SAT/ACT.
Why? Every time you take a standardized-type test, you practice the skill of taking standardized-type tests.
This phenomenon also works in the reverseSlide29
Test Day
Hooray, it’s here!Slide30
Test Day: Basics
Get a GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP!
These tests are LONG, and you need to be ready for focus for several
hours
Eat a
B
alanced Breakfast
This is not the day to start drinking coffee or to wolf down four doughnuts
Set Multiple Alarms
If there is one day in you life when your
alorm clock will malfunction, this will be it. Prepare in advance,Arrive on TimeDon’t show up too early or too late; the doors are unlocked for only 30 minutesSlide31
Test Day: What to Bring
Your printed admission ticket with
appropriate
,
current
, uploaded photo
Think the DMV, not Facebook
Your
acceptable
,
current photo ID (driver’s license, school ID passport)MUST be current!!Several sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasersApproved calculator (see websites for specifics)To be on the safe side, you can bring a backup (or backup batteries)
Water and snacksSlide32
Test Day: What to Bring
UNDERSTAND THIS: UNDER
NO
CIRCUMSTANCES
WILL YOU BE ADMITTED IF
YOU FORGET EITHER YOUR PRINTED ADMISSION TICKET OR ID!!!Slide33
Testing AccommodationsSlide34
Testing Accommodations
If you need accommodations (extra large test book, extra testing time), you can apply for them
Work with your counselor to apply
Usually paperwork needs to be submitted
at least six months in advance
Keep in mind, some accommodations mean you’ll be testing for a longer time frameSlide35
Questions??? Contact me!
emilyh@spokaneschools.org
509.354.6906Slide36
Good Luck!