Post-Secondary Planning Standardized Testing

1. Post-Secondary PlanningStandardized Testing ACT Explore PSAT SAT Subject Tests ACT AP

2. Post-Secondary PlanningStandardized Testing Why is testing necessary?

3. Testing Calendar Grade Fall Winter Spring_____ • 9th ACT Explore • 10th PSAT APs & Subject • 11thPSAT APs & Subject *Start taking SATs or ACTs – timing depends on your preparation • 12th Finish SATs / ACTs APs

4. ACT Explore: 9th grade Assesses college readiness in: English Math Reading Science Career Interest Inventory Indentifies career areas that match interests Plots self-reported career interest on world of work map Preview to ACT

5. PSATs Who Takes It? • 10th and 11th graders • Parents pay registration fee unless participating in free/reduced lunch program What is it? • Preliminary or practice SAT • Three Sections: Critical Reading, Math, Writing • Scores: 20 to 80 Where and When? • UDHS • 3rd Wednesday in October

6. PSATs Why? • Practice • Learning Tool & Educational Planning Students will get their scores & test booklet My College Quick Start - available in mid-December National Merit Consideration – Junior Year only

7. Testing for College All colleges accept equally the SAT or ACT. Many of the most competitive colleges require more testing: Subject Tests Many students choose to take AP Exams to receive college credit for courses taken in high school.

8. SAT Calendar of Test Dates 2013-2014 October 5, 2013 November 2, 2013 December 7, 2013 January 25, 2014 March 8, 2014* May 3, 2014 June 7, 2014 *No Subject Tests offered on this date

9. ACT When and Where? • Upper Dublin is a test center in October and April • Offered at some local school districts. • Test dates are different than those for SATs 2013-2014 September 21, 2013 October 26, 2013 December 14, 2013 February 8, 2014 April 12, 2014 June 14, 2014

10. SAT vs. ACT Test Composition

11. SAT vs. ACT Test Composition

12. Subject Tests What are they? • One hour multiple choice tests • Measure how much student knows about a particular academic subject • Used for admission and /or placement in college • Tests fall into five Subject Areas

13. Subject Tests English: Literature History and Social Studies: United States History World History Mathematics: Mathematics Level 1 Preparation: 3 years of college prep math including 2 yrs Algebra & 1 yr Geometry Mathematics Level 2 Preparation: More than 3 yrs college prep math including 2 yrs Algebra, 1 yr Geometry, Elementary Functions (Pre-Calculus) and / or Trigonometry

14. Subject Tests Science: Biology E/M; Chemistry; Physics Languages: French & French with Listening German & German with Listening Modern Hebrew Italian Japanese with Listening Korean with Listening Latin Spanish & Spanish with Listening

15. Subject Tests Does everyone need to take Subject Tests? • No - Take them if required by colleges to which the student is applying. Which Subject Tests should you take? • What does the college require? • What is your intended major? When should you take them? • Take immediately after completing a course (May and June) • Can take up to three different tests at a time. Scoring • Scores range from 200 to 800

16. SAT, ACT: A Matter of Scheduling How many times should I take them? • At least once during the spring of the junior year, but most take it more than once. • At least twice by the fall of their senior year. • Until you get the score you need. Planning is important! Considerations: • SAT: Majority of Algebra II and Geometry completed. • ACT: Majority of Alg. II, Geometry, Intro to Trig completed. • Need Subject Tests? Can’t take on same day as SAT so start testing earlier.

17. Registration How do students register? • www.collegeboard.com (for SATs & Subject Tests) • www.actstudent.org (for ACTs) • Registration forms in Guidance, return to College Board or ACT not UDHS • Pay attention to deadlines • Registration fee waivers are available to students on the free and reduced lunch system. (See counselor)

18. What Scores Do Colleges Want? Which Scores do Colleges Use? • Varies by college (Research College Testing Policies) • Highest of each component (regardless of date) OR highest test date total. • Use of writing score varies. • A few schools require you send all SAT/SBJ test scores. How to Compare Scores from the ACT and SAT • Concordance chart at www.act.org/aap/concordance

19. AP Exams Why? Possible College Credit What? 3 hour comprehensive test offered in every AP subject area. How, When and Where? • Register “In-House” through Guidance • At UDHS during school day in May • Cost approx $90/exam

20. Reporting Scores to Colleges AP Scores • Sent to students in July • Score choice – can choose which scores to send to the college you are attending. • Send scores to your college through collegeboard.com For more information, refer to AP Bulletin given to all students in AP classes in February.

21. Test Preparation: SAT, ACT & Subject Tests Current Trends Prep Options • School SAT Courses • Private Courses: School (SAT) and Community (All) • Private Tutoring (All) • On-Line Courses or Tutoring • Books Free On-Line Prep • PSAT Score report – access code for “My College Quickstart” • includes on-line SAT prep

22. Evening / Saturday School-Sponsored SAT Prep • Sessions offered by Kaplan and Princeton Review • Two evenings and one Saturday morning a week, for five/six weeks. • Preparation for March and May Test Dates (Juniors only) • Letters mailed home in December. • Summer Prep Course (Rising Junior and Seniors) • Letters mailed home towards the end of the school year.

23. Questions?????