SAT SUITE OF ASSESSMENTS

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS – WHO, WHERE, WHEN

PSAT 8/9

WHAT – this test will help figure out what a student needs to work on most to be ready for college when they graduate from HS.

WHO – 8TH AND 9TH grade students

WHERE – Fluvanna County High School

WHEN – October 14th 9:00 am

BENEFITS – establishes a baseline measurement and give students an opportunity to preview the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT

For 9th grade students the test results will let them see if they should check out AP World History or AP European History as potential 10th grade courses.

PSAT/NMSQT AND PSAT 10

WHAT – this test is a great way to preview and practice for the SAT. 11th grade students who test are entered into the National Merit Scholarship Program

WHO – 10th and 11th grade students

WHERE – Fluvanna County High School

WHEN – Oct. 14th 9:00 am

BENEFITS – Identify students strengths and weakness for continued growth towards college readiness and assist in identifying students for potential AP courses.

SAT

WHAT – this test is used by college admissions offices as one tool in the evaluation process for college admissions

WHO – typically Juniors in their second semester and seniors

WHERE – various locations. FCHS only gives the test in October on our campus however other testing sites include: FUMA, Albemarle HS, Louisa HS, Covenent School, Charlottesville HS.

WHEN – Saturday dates in October, November, December, January,

March, May and June ( www.collegeboard.com for dates)

COMPARISON OF THE VARIOUS TESTS

PSAT 8/92 hrs and 25 min

Reading, Writing/Language, Math

Emphasis on reasoning, focus on knowledge, skills and understandings most important for college and career success

Emphasis on meaning of word in EXTENDED CONTEXTS and how word choice shapes meaning, tone and impact

Points for correct answers and no deduction for incorrect answers

PSAT/NMSQT 2 hrs and 45 min

Reading, Writing and Language, Math

Emphasis on reasoning, clearer, stronger focus on knowledge, skill and understandings most important for college and career success

Greater Emphasis on the meaning or words in extended contexts

Points for correct answers and no deduction for incorrect answers

SAT3 hrs and 50 minutes for the Essay if chosen

Reading, Writing and language, Math and optional Writing

Continued emphasis on reasoning, etc

Greater emphasis on the meaning of word

Points for Correct answer

Essay if chosen is given at the end of the test. Postsecondary institutions determine if they will require this for admissions

COMPARISON’S CONTINUED

PSAT 8/9Total Scores from 240 – 1440

Section Scores Scale – 120-720

6 – 36 on test and cross-test scores

Subscores on a 1-15 scale for every test to provided added insight

Component # of ?’s

Reading – 40

Writing and Language– 42

Math – 38

Total ?’s - 120

PSAT/NMSQTTotal Scores from 320-1520

Section Scores Scale – 160-760

8 – 38 for test and cross-test scores

Subscores on a 1 to 15 scale for every test

Reading – 47

Writing and language – 44

Math – 48

Total ?’s - 139

SATTotal Scores from 400-1600

Section Scores from 200-800

10-40 on test and cross-test scores

Subscores on a 1 to 15 scale

Essay results reports for Reading, Analysis, and Writing on a 2 to 8 scale

Reading - 52

Writing and language – 44

Math – 57

Total ?’s 153

Optional Essay - 1

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT EACH TEST WILL BE LIKE

READING

Read passages and interpret informational graphics then use what you read to answer the questions

One passage from a classic or contemporary work of US or World lit

One passage or pair of passages from either a US founding document or a text in the great global conversation ( example; The US Constitution or a speech by Nelson Mandela)

A selection about economics, psychology, sociology or some other social science

Two science passages that examine foundational concepts and developments in Earth Science, biology, chemistry or physics.

READING - continued

Command of Evidence – questions where the student finds evidence in the passage to support an answer to a previous ? Or assists in coming to a conclusion, or identify how authors use evidence to support claims, or find a relationship between information graphics and the passage it is paired with

Word in Context – Important, widely used words and phrases found in texts in many different subjects. Words widely used in college and the workplace

Analysis in History/Social Studies and Science - ?’s to draw on ones reading skills needed to succeed in these subject areas. Examples: Examine a hypotheses, interpret data, consider implications

WRITING AND LANGUAGE

Skills used in everyday life;

Read, Find mistakes and weaknesses and Fix them

Command of Evidence – ways to improve and develop information and ideas

Word in Context – select the best word based upon the text surrounding them to improve syntax, style, tone or make a passage more precise

Analysis in History and in Science – Read passages in these topics and make editorial decisions as to how to improve them

Express of Ideas – Organization and impact of the words in a passage and what structural changes may improve how it makes its point

Standard English Conventions – sentence structure, usage, and punctuation – comma use, verb tense, subject-verb agreement

Mathematics ?’s that mirror the problem solving and modeling you may use in

College math, science and social science courses

The jobs you may hold

Your personal life

Most of these will be Multiple choice but some will be grid – in2 Portions of the test – one with Calculator and one without calculator use

Most questions will focus on two areas of mathHeart of ALGEBRA – mastery of linear equations and systemsProblem Solving and Data Analysis

A few questions will be Passport to Advanced Math and require manipulation of complex equations.

Mathematics - continued Fluency – carry out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently and

strategically. Solve problems quickly by identifying and using the most efficient solution approaches

Conceptual Understanding – grasp of math concepts, operations and relations. ( make a connection between properties of linear equations, their graphs and the contexts they represent)

Applications – real world problems where you analyze a situation, determine essential elements required to solve the problem or carry out a solution

Calculator Use – Calculator portion – focus on complex modeling and reasoning. Non Calculator portion – tests well-learned technique and number sense and the students’ understanding of some math concepts

SUGGESTED TESTING TIMELINE

FALL GRADES 8 AND 9 ------- PSAT 8/9 FALL GRADES 10 & 11 --PSAT 10 &

PSAT/NMSQT ** SPRING GRADE 11 – SAT &/OR ACT FALL GRADE 12 – SAT &/OR ACT

** PSAT 10 will not be available until Spring 2016 so 10th grade students will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT test this fall

PSAT/NMQST – SCHOLARSHIPS PARTNERS

Scores for Students who test in October of their Junior year are used in determining eligibility for entrance into the National Merit Scholarship Program

National Merit Scholarship

National Hispanic Recognition Program

National Scholarship Program for African American students

Telluride Scholars Program – 6 week summer program scholarship

American Indian Graduate Center

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

United Negro College Fund

**** Select YES in the Student Search Service” to have your scores reviewed for participation in these and other scholarship programs.

HOW TO PREPARE

Take Challenging Courses Do Your Homework Prepare for tests and quizzes Ask and answer lots of questions Brush up on skills before testing Utilize test prep software

REMINDERS

TEST DATE: PSAT 8/9 AND PSAT/NMQST –

WEDNESDAY OCT. 14TH 9:00 AM START TIME

COST: PSAT 8/9 - $10 PSAT/NMSQT - $15

REGISTRATION:

FORM ON THE GUIDANCE WEBSITE OR AVAILABLE IN THE FCHS GUIDANCE OFFICE

RETURN COMPLETED FORM AND TEST FEE TO FCHS GUIDANCE OFFICE

TEST PREP AND KHAN ACADEMY

https://www.khanacademy.org

Review the redesigned test specifications to deepen your understanding off the new SAT by going to: www.collegereadiness.collegeboard.org