get me to college: testing
TRANSCRIPT
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WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN MATCH STUDENTS NACAC 2013
A NECESSARY EVIL?
They were never intended for current use
Colleges use these tests to compare students
Understanding test options and readiness will empower students in the admissions process
STANDARDIZED TESTS!
SAT I—Reading and Math= 1600 plus writing
ACT with writing-Reading, English, Social Science, and Science
SAT Subject Tests-One hour multiple choice in several content areas
AP tests-Three hour content specific tests IB tests-Year end tests for students in IB
programs.
THE TEST OPTIONS
BEST PREDICTORS
Research shows SAT Subject Tests AP Tests
Are BEST predictors
YET SAT AND ACT
Still Prevail
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
70% of students do the same on both tests.
For 30% of others, let’s look at differences
Can I take the tests too many times? Yes, of course. Taking it five or six times is torture
and students rarely go up after the third time. No. Take it as many times as you think will help
students. Note: Students would be wise to try it at least once or
twice in spring of junior year and once or twice in fall of senior year. There are huge increases between junior and senior year. Think of 16 versus 17 years old and 17 versus 18. There are huge critical thinking gains.
RECOMMENDED STANDARDIZED TEST TIMELINE
SAT VS ACT
(1) ACT content / SAT problem solving
(2) Some students may score higher on one test than on the other
Act’s less dependence on vocabulary favors students of limited English proficiency, for students with higher GPAs (above 3.4), and for females. SAT good problem solvers do well.
(3)Speed(1) The ACT is speed test, while the SAT is not.
(4) ACT provides a more detailed score reportSAT(highest possible individual test 800) provides scores
for two sections and for essay (3 scales of 8). Total high score is 1600 is three sections totaled (highest possible 2400)
ACT provides details subsection scores (highest possible score (36) broken by math content area and for essay (scale of 12). They provide composite score as well.
(5) Both offer score choice. ACT--you can only send by test dateSAT I-you can send all or some scores, still test date.SAT II-you can send by test and date
(6) UCS take highest one day score. Most other colleges do composite based scores—highest sections.
RECOMMENDED STANDARDIZED TEST TIMELINE
Sophomore/Junior Fall-Take the PSAT (SAT readiness) and/or PLAN (ACT readiness). If there is real strength in one versus the other, focus on that test. If not try both…through junior year spring.
Then go with ACT or SAT…Don’t overstress your child….
If you go ACT route, your child still needs to take SAT IIs for top colleges, including UCs through high school class of 2011.
Develop a testing schedule that includes SAT Subject Tests at end of sophomore and
junior years. SAT/ACT in spring of junior year and fall of
senior year. Consider test prep…courses, books,
tutoring...Test prep does help. Aptitude and content knowledge are not fixed. The tests , especially testing strategies, are coachable.
SOME GOOD NEWS…COLLEGES ARE
BEGINNING TO REBEL NYU offers flexible policy
ACT or SATOr
Three SAT subject testsOr
Three AP tests
For SAT II and AP options 1 test humanities or literature 1 test math or science
COLBY ALSO JOINS…
Colby requires official results of one of the following:
the College Board SAT Reasoning Test
the American College Test (ACT) with writing
the SAT Subject Tests (in three different subject areas)
Colby will use the set of test results that best advantage each applicant.
COLBY ALSO JOINS
STANDARDIZED TESTING NOTES
More than 950 colleges do not require tests!!! http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
Check to see if students still qualify for merit scholarships.
See the following site for the most up-to-date testing requirements of top colleges: http://www.compassprep.com/subject-test-requirements-and-recommendations/
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
GREAT NEWS!!
Many schools allow ACT to count for SAT and 2 Subject Tests. Check.
Please take Subject Tests at end of year that you take the classes.
SAT now offers August test date. Khan Academy offers free SAT
online test prep. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep
Princeton Review offers free practice tests at local libraries. http://www.lapl.org/teens/college-career/student-smart
Make sure to get contact your counselor for free waivers. If you get free or reduced lunch, then you qualify.
DIFFERENT ROUTES TO UC…
Eligibility in the Statewide ContextStudents who meet minimum requirements for coursework, grade point average and test scores are admitted by this path.
Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)Students who rank in the top 9 percent at participating California high schools may be admitted through ELC. Must meet GPA and testing requirements.
Eligibility by Examination AloneStudents may qualify for admission by achieving high scores on the ACT Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning Test, and on two SAT Subject Tests.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/
TO LEARN MORE
Email [email protected] [email protected]
Phone 323-646-5759
Facebook Getmetocollege Freeadvice
Twitter @getmetocollege
Website getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation
and under-represented students)