parenting seminar: sat/act mr. jeffrey fuller 2/18/2010 hfhscp
TRANSCRIPT
Parenting Seminar: SAT/ACT
Mr. Jeffrey Fuller
2/18/2010
HFHSCP
Outline
Introduction to standardized testing What is the ACT
Relation to college What is the SAT
Relation to college How to improve scores Test Dates
Why standardized testing?
Colleges want to know what type of student they are receivingHigh-stakes funding and support
Not all schools are created equalThis places the burden on the student
Allows colleges to “fairly” compare students on a standardized basis
How they are designed
The tests are designed in a way that the "questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent“
Further, they are to be "administered and scored in a predetermined, standard manner.“
It is assumed a score stays consistent across testing dates
What they seek to find College Readiness Indicators
A “standard” for students on an achievement scale
A way to know if the GPA of students reflects their academic/ reasoning abilities
A process with which all students are tested equal
Do grades matter? With all of this focus on testing, testing,
and more testing, the question remains, do grades and everything else matter?
The short answer: YES!!!!!!!!!
But why?Grades are a major indicator of academic
abilityMore importantly, showcases a willingness to
continually learn
Can standardized scores assist student with low GPAs? Absolutely! - My college roommate
This process is not a two-way street.A high GPA but low test score will leave
colleges questioning the difficulty of the school (not the students willingness to do well)
A low GPA but high test score will show colleges a clear academic ability
(but not necessarily a willingness to stick with education)
What is the ACT?
The American College Testing Program’s standardized aptitude test (1959)
Changed in 1996 to simply, ACT
Evaluates:College ReadinessCurrent level of knowledge related to academics
(What student’s know)
Breakdown of the ACT
Subjects covered:English – 75 multiple-choiceMath – 60 multiple-choiceReading – 40 multiple-choiceScience – 40 multiple-choiceWriting (optional)
Tips and Tricks of the ACT
English – pretty much a reg. English testKnow grammarCorrect what you knowTemporarily skip difficult Qs
Math – the first 30 Qs are the easiestThe second 30 are more difficultWhen going through the second 30, SKIP a Q
you don’t know how to do and move on
Tips and Tricks cont.
Reading – answer the question – they will be tricky and give additional infoAnswer what you know to be the answer
Science – Asks for data interpretationRead the graphs carefullyDO NOT assume you know from school
Tips and Tricks cont.
Writing – 30 minutes (not much time)Read the topic and build an outline in your headQuickly write a brief outline – and have a patternBuild your essay from there Include: ideas that show topic understanding
Clear and logical viewpoints – DO NOT SKIP AROUND Clarity and development are key – not structure
Tips and Tricks In general:
Answer questions you know firstAlways go back and at least guess on the othersThere is no penalty for a wrong answer on the
ACT Do not:
Leave a question blank, you have a 25% chance of getting it right
Make fun designs with the remaining questions Answer under 1 column, B
ACT - College
Scores are reported by test date
Can choose to submit one or another test date
If with writing, both primary and writing are submitted if you request it to be sent
What is the SAT?
Created by the College Board in 1901 Initially stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test
Changed to just SAT at a later date
Now known as:SAT 1 or SAT Reasoning TestSAT 2 or SAT Subject Tests
Breakdown of the SAT
Critical Reading – 70 minutes
Mathematics – 70 minutes
Writing (Writing) – 25 minutes Writing (MC) – 35 minutes (25 + 10)
Tips and Tricks of the SAT:Critical Reading – 5 question types
Details – Specific answers taken directly from the text
Vocabulary – BE CAREFUL HERE!!!Writer’s will use words with multiple definitions
Ex: transparent, consult, leaves
Tone – Ask for a writer’s attitudeSteer clear of strong tonesUse process of elimination (POE)
Tips and Tricks:Critical Reading Implications – Perceived as most difficult
What is the author inferring with regards to what he or she is saying?
Be careful with P.O.E. Main Idea – What is the paragraph about?
A big struggle for studentsThis is difficult, as students are pressed for time,
and will want to find the FIRST idea around
Tips and Tricks: Math Concepts covered
Number and operations – Beginning conceptsAlgebra and functions – Getting difficultGeometry and measurement – “Oh boy” for someData analysis, stats, probability – Run for the hills
Tips: ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU CAN!!!! Get close? Remember, they figured out your
wrong answers Lucky for students, harder Qs = less often
Tips and Tricks: Writing 25 minute timed writing – Rated 1 - 6
Read the question and background infoWhile reading, develop your point of viewJot down your BRIEF outlineThere is no format to followSTICK WITH THE TOPIC!Draw in outside ideas (but citation)
Ex: As Freud suggests…
Think Critically – don’t be afraid to be different
Tips and Tricks: Writing 35 minute multiple choice
Improving sentences – 25 Qs Identifying sentence errors – 18 Qs Improving paragraphs – 6 Qs
Can a student critically analyze? Do they know how to improve upon ideas? Recognize grammar and sentence-
structure errors Know transition words!! Edit essays!!
Tips and Tricks: SAT in General Always answer the questions you know If you have no idea, DO NOT answer the
question Play the odds – assume each question = 1
pointWrong answer = -1/4 point (-25%) If…you know 1 answer is wrong, there is a 1/3rd
chance of getting it correct (+33%), 2 = (+50%)Play the odds and GUESS
SAT – College ALL scores are submitted regardless of test date
This is different from the ACT ALL SAT 1 and SAT 2s are submitted Cal State – Use the highest score from each curriculum
area (Reading, Writing, Math) Allows you to combine scores from multiple tests
University of California – The highest combined score All scores are sent though, so they see everything
Private Schools – Varying, tend to lean toward UC
How to Prepare: both tests PRACTICE!!!!
But make practice perfect“If you practice something 80 times, you will
be not better off on the 80th than on your 1st. If you do perfect practice 80 times, each practice will show improvement.” – Mr. J
What does this mean?Analyze what you did wrong, see where you
can improve, and where you can worry less
How to Prepare Utilize testing aides. Get a CollegeBoard.com user account
Question of the day Read difficult novels
The biggest discrepancy between their generation and even 10 years ago is language
Why? – look at what they are given in life Take challenging classes in school Play to your strengths
Today’s Question of the Day
Final Words The ability to take a standardized test is
important from the months of March of their junior year through December of their senior year
This ability does not determine future success
If as a family you plan ahead, and take the necessary steps, you will meet the goals.