Smithtown High School Counseling Department presents …

1. Smithtown High SchoolCounseling Department presents … College Admissions Testing Information (PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP) September 23, 2010 www.smithtown.k12.ny.us

2. AGENDA • Graduation Requirements • PSAT • SAT Reasoning Test • SAT Subject Tests • ACT • AP

3. Graduation RequirementsNew York State Graduation Requirements Advanced CoursesRegents DiplomaRegents Diploma English 4 4 Social Studies 4 4 Mathematics 3 3 Science 3 3 Health 0.5 0.5 Art/Music 1 1 Language other than English 3 1 Physical Education 2 2 Electives 1.5 3.5 • Advanced Regents Diploma • 22 credits and 8 or 9 Regents depending upon Math Level (all Regents 65 & higher) • Regents Diploma • 22 credits and 5 Regents (all Regents 65 & higher) • Local Diploma • Class of 2012 and beyond local diploma available for Special Ed. students only.

4. Student Transcript12th Grade Student

5. Grading Policy(Found in Student’s Agenda) • A+ 97 and above 4.4 • A 93 to 96 4.0 • A- 90 to 92 3.6 • B+ 87 to 89 3.3 • B 83 to 86 3.0 • B- 80 to 82 2.6 • C+ 77 to 79 2.3 • C 73 to 76 2.0 • C- 70 to 72 1.6 • D+ 67 to 69 1.3 • D 65 to 66 1.0 • F 64 or below 0.0

6. Testing Calendar 2010-2011

7. PSAT • Three Sections • Critical Reading (Two 25 minute sections) • Mathematics (Two 25 minute sections) • Writing Skills (One 30 minute section) • Entire test is Two hours and 10 minutes • Each section is scored from 20 to 80 points • Use My College Quick Start to review test scores at www.collegeboard.com/quickstart • Access code is sent to student on test report. • Test results are mailed home in December.

8. PSAT Score Report

9. Why Take the PSAT? • Practice for the SAT • National Merit Scholarship – 11th graders only qualify for this. Students who score in the top 1% nationwide may qualify as a Semi-Finalist for the National Merit Scholarship • 10th grade students with higher math skills or English Honors are more prepared to take the test. Opportunity to take the test is available to all students in 10th grade.

10. PSAT REGISTRATION • Registration Dates – Sept 28 – 30 • Where to Register - high school guidance office during lunch periods. • Cost - $25.00 • Make check payable to: • Smithtown HS East or West • Put student’s full name on the check. • Cash is not acceptable. • Student brings admission ticket, photo ID, approved calculator, and No. 2 pencils to the test.

11. SAT Reasoning Test • The SAT Reasoning Test is scored on a scale of 2400 points (previously out of 1600). • Three Sections of the SAT Reasoning Test: • Critical Reading (70 minutes) • Mathematics (70 minutes) • Writing (60 minutes) – includes an essay • **One variable (unscored) section • Each section is worth 800 points. • Test is 3 hours, 45 minutes long.

12. SAT – Essay Question • Essay is always the first section on the SAT. • Essay is scored from 2 – 12. • 25 minutes to respond to the question by writing an essay in longhand on the answer sheet using a No. 2 pencil. • Examples of essay questions are available at www.collegeboard.com

13. SAT Score Report

14. Why Take the SAT Reasoning Test • To provide colleges with an objective measurement of a student’s college readiness. • To allow colleges to fairly compare applicants. • To give students access to scholarship opportunities. • To use in place of a college placement exam where accepted.

15. Beginning with Class 2010 • As of March 2009, CollegeBoard will let students pick which SAT scores are sent to colleges. May select scores by test date only. • Students who take the SAT multiple times can choose which test dates to send to colleges. • CollegeBoard feels this will give students more control over their scores and make the test experience less stressful.

16. SAT Subject Tests • Formerly called SAT II • One hour long, multiple choice subject tests (English, History, Math, Science, and Languages) • Not required by all colleges but commonly required by the more competitive colleges. • Taken at the completion of Honors and AP courses in grades 10 and 11 based on subject. • As of March 2009, a student can choose which Subject Tests to send to colleges.

17. Why Take the SAT Subject Tests • Students can demonstrate to colleges their mastery of specific subjects like English, History, Mathematics, Science and Language. • Used for admission, course placement, and to advise students about course selection. • Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which test to take.

18. SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject Registration • Refer to Smithtown HS College Testing Calendar for registration dates and deadlines. • Students can register on-line at www.collegeboard.com • Students should plan to take the SAT Reasoning exam two times in the Spring of their junior year. • SAT Subject tests can be taken in May or June in grades 10 and 11 depending upon tests offered.

19. ACT American College Test • 3 hours, 25 minutes-including the 30 minute optional Writing Test • Measures academic achievement in 4 content areas – (5 with optional Essay) • English • Reading • Mathematics • Science reasoning • Essay - optional • Each section is scored from 1 – 36 • Essay section is scored from 2 – 12 • Most colleges will accept ACT and/or SAT Reasoning test scores for admissions and/or placement. • Some colleges will accept ACT scores in place of SAT Subject Tests.

20. ACT Score Report

21. ACT Math counts for 1/4 of overall score Essay is optional No wrong answer penalty Science Reasoning Section SAT Math counts for 1/3 of overall score Essay is not optional 1/4 point deducted per wrong answer No science section ACT vs. SAT

22. SAT vs. ACT: The Breakdown

23. SAT and ACT Score Comparison

24. SAT/ACT Registration • SAT: www.collegeboard.com • ACT: www.actstudent.org • Registration materials also available in the Guidance office. • Students with disabilities need to remember to use approval code when registering on-line for SAT. For ACT, special testing form needs to be filled out per test date.

25. Advanced Placement Exams • 37 courses and exams across 22 subject areas • Exams are scored from 1 – 5 • Registration takes place with classroom teacher. • Taken in early May. • Each exam is approx. 3 hours in length.

26. Why Take AP Exams • Gain the edge in college preparation. • Improve writing skills and problem solving techniques. • Develop study habits for rigorous coursework at the college level. • Demonstrate maturity and readiness for college. • Study subjects in greater detail. • Earn college credits or advanced standing at most of the nations colleges and universities.

27. PLAN AHEAD!!! • Plan to take AP exams in May – generally taken in 10th, 11th and 12th grade. • Plan to take PSAT – October of junior year. • Plan to take the SAT Reasoning Test and ACT in the spring semester of the junior year. • Consider taking SAT Subject Tests after the completion of Honors and AP courses. • Retake exams, if necessary, in the beginning of the senior year.

28. Students with Disabilities • CollegeBoard and ACT require a separate application for testing accommodations for students with disabilities. • CollegeBoard application is called SSD and is completed by student’s primary teacher as early as 9th grade. • ACT application is called ACT Extended Time National Testing and ACT Special Testing and is completed when the student registers for the ACT test in their junior year. • Testing accommodations from CollegeBoard and ACT are not guaranteed. Testing company determines eligibility.

29. Important Websites: • www.collegeboard.com • www.act.org • www.guidancedirect.com • www.fastweb.com • www.fafsa4caster.com • www.fairtest.org

30. Guidance Direct • Interest Profiler • Occupational Search • College Search • Scholarship Search • Resume Writer • Career Portfolio • Student and Parent Access: www.guidancedirect.com • School ID: 8461805 • School Password: S10S3090

31. Thank you