Junior MeetingClass of 2015

College Testing and Planning

What tests will I probably be taking this year?

• Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) (www.collegeboard.org)• Also serves as the National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test (NMSQT)

• American College Testing Program (www.act.org)

• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (www.collegeboard.com)

This fall:• PSAT on Wednesday, October 16 at HPHS

• Why should I take the PSAT?• National Merit Scholarship Program• National Hispanic Recognition Program• National Achievement School Program• It’s good practice for the college entrance tests• It’s a practice SAT and will allow you to compare your score

against the PLAN results to determine which test may be best suited for you in the future.

• NOTE: PSAT scores are NOT sent to colleges

PSAT Details

• Wednesday, October 16 at HPHS (rooms TBA)• 2 hours and 10 minutes in length• Check-in 7:45am• Register on Rev Trak starting 9/9• Registration deadline is midnight, Friday, October 11th at

midnight. See details on what to bring, etc. in hand-out• If you miss the registration period, spots are open on a “first-

come-first-serve” basis the morning of the exam• You will attend classes in afternoon – see hand-out for special

schedule

Rev Trak PSAT Registration

• Rev Trak• Cost $28

•Credit card, cash or check• See your counselor for fee waiver

• On-line registration only

•Print receipt using high-school e-mail

PSAT Content

• Overall: PSAT measures your ability to reason with facts and concepts rather than your ability to recall and recite• Critical Reading: Two 25-minute sections, including

sentence completions and passage-based reading questions• Math: Two 25-minute sections, including multiple

choice and student-produced responses, or grid-ins• Writing Skills: One 30 minute section, including

improving sentences, identifying sentence errors and improving paragraphs

PSAT Scoring

• Three sets of scores• Verbal 20 to 80• Math 20 to 80• Writing 20 to 80• Perfect score = 240

• NO penalty for non-answered questions

• Minor penalty (i.e. ¼ pt. loss) for wrong answer to MC questions SO make educated guesses only

• National Merit Scholarship “cut-off” score was 213 this year

Mandatory Practice ACT

• Thursday, October 17 from 8AM to 12PM• All Juniors participate• Benefit to you: Each student will receive an on-line

score report with detailed performance information (at no cost)• Opportunity to assess your own

strengths/weaknesses relative to ACT• You will attend classes in the afternoon – see special

schedule in hand-out

ACT vs. SAT – What’s the Difference?

ACT•Curriculum-based content•Math section carries less weight•No point deductions for wrong answers

SAT•Reasoning/Intelligence Test•Strong readers often score higher•Math section is weighted more heavily than SAT

•¼ point loss per wrong answer

Other Testing Information

• Hundreds of colleges and universities do NOT require standardized tests, including both less selective and highly selective schools -- see www.fairtest.org for a full list of these schools.

• Some colleges have adopted new policies requiring applicants to submit scores for all tests taken. This is generally the most highly selective schools in the country.

• Please be sure to list the high school when completing the registration information. HPHS DOES NOT send scores, only the student can release ACT or SAT scores. We use test scores for counseling purposes only.

Test Optional?? Who are these guys??

• American University• Augustana College• Bates College• Bowdoin College• Denison University• DePaul University• Ithaca College• Knox College• Middlebury College• Pitzer College• Rollins College• Wake Forest University• Just to name a few….

College Board (SAT) Tests• SAT • Three hour test, primarily multiple choice.

• Critical Reading• Mathematical Reasoning• Writing. • Scores range from 200 to 800 for each section, resulting in a total score of

600 to 2400.• For more detail, see www.collegeboard.org

• SAT Subject tests (SAT II)• “Required” “Recommended” or “Optional” by a small number of colleges,

usually most competitive• Some colleges will accept ACT scores in lieu of SAT subject tests.

• Bottom line: Know what the colleges you wish to apply to require!• Tests are one hour each, in a variety of subjects, e.g.

• Biology, Chemistry, Physics• Chinese, French, Spanish• Math, levels 1 and 2• History, US and World

SAT Dates and Deadlines

• Test Date:October 5, 2013November 2,

2013December

7,2013January 25, 2014March 8, 2014May 3, 2014June 7, 2014

• Register By:September 6, 2013October 3, 2013November 8, 2013December 27, 2013February 7, 2014April 4, 2014May 9, 2014

American College Testing Program (ACT)• ACT consists of two parts; a student profile section, and a

standardized four-part examination of readiness in the following areas:• English• Mathematics• Reading• Science Reasoning• Writing (optional)

• Separate score is generated for each section, as well as a composite score, averaging all the sections

• Scores range from 1 to 36.

Changes to ACT Process

• Walk-in policy has changed – you must be pre-registered prior to test date in order to take the test • Photo ID’s are required starting for the October 2012

test date• If you miss the photo upload deadline your registration

will be cancelled and you will NOT be admitted to the test• Photo guidelines include:• You must be facing the camera with a plain background• The photo must be a clear image of you – and only you!• You may not wear dark glasses

ACT Photo Upload Deadlines

ACT TEST DATE

•September 21, 2013•October 26, 2013•December 14, 2013•February 8, 2014*•April 12, 2014•June 14, 2014

PHOTO UPLOAD DEADLINE

• September 13, 2013• October 18, 2013• December 6, 2013• January 31, 2014• April 4, 2014• June 6, 2014

ACT Dates and Deadlines• Test Date:• October 26, 2013• December 14, 2013• February 8, 2014• April 12, 2014• June 14, 2014

• Register by:• September 27, 2013• November 8, 2013• January 10, 2014• March 7, 2014• May 9, 2014

When should I take it?

• The earliest date we recommend Highland Park students take the ACT is February 2014.• The fall test dates are designed for seniors in

high school – the questions will reflect this!• On average, HP students score their highest

composite scores on the April exam date.• ACT National Average Composite Score: 21

Other tests to think about• Advanced Placement (AP) Program Evaluations• Three hour tests, primarily used for college placement,

credit or advanced standing.• Some highly selective colleges use as part of admissions

process (from Junior year)• For more information, go to

www.collegeboard.org/testing/ap/about.html

• Test of Foreign Language (TOEFL)• Designed for students who have been speaking English for

less than five years• For more information, go to www.toefl.org

Important Dates• “Calming the Nerves”: College and Communication:

September 26th• PSAT: October 16• Practice ACT: October 17• Deadline to drop a course or change to pass/fail:

October 18• Kick-off to College meeting: November 19• Finals: January 21 – January 23• Junior Registration: Week of February 10th• College Planning 101: February 5

Focus for this Fall:

• PSATs:• Register by October 11th• Get a good night of sleep on October 15• Eat a good breakfast on October 16

• Work hard in your current classes … Junior year is a key year on the road to college success!

Miscellaneous

• Review Graduation Requirements• Get to know your teachers this year. They

will be the people writing your letters of recommendation next fall.• Class Level change dates – October 21th –

November 16th• Course drop date – Friday, October 18th