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College Admissions TestingA Roadmap for the SAT, ACT, and Other TestsSummit Educational Group

The College Board vs. ACT, IncSAT/ACT Test-Takers 2010-20162200000ACT students2,090,3422100000200000019000001800000SAT SAT20132014ACT20152016

Test Scores – Relative ImportancePercentage of Colleges Reporting “Considerable or Moderate Importance”Grades in college prep courses92%Grades in all courses91%Admission test scores (SAT & ACT)88%Strength of curriculum87%Essay or writing sample61%Counselor recommendation60%Student’s demonstrated interest59%Class Rank52% (not a factor for BHS students)2015 NACAC State of College Admissions

Test Optional Schools“We want outstanding students from all overthe world and from all different backgrounds—regardless of their standardized scores.”- Karen Stroud FeltonFormer Dean of AdmissionsGeorge Washington University

Why the SAT/ACT? – Consistent Curve1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 52015601600ACT Composite Scores, 2012SAT Total Scores, 2016

Create a Testing Plan Which tests should Itake? When should I takethem? How and when shouldI prepare for them?

Which Tests Might I Take? PSAT SAT ACT SubjectTests AP Tests

PSAT is Practice for the SATSAT (200-800)PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT (160-760)PSAT 8/9 (120-720)120200300400500600700PSAT scores show what you would have scored on theSAT on that same day.800

Dimensions of Standardized TestingAptitude TestOld PSAT& Old SATSpeed TestPower TestACTPSAT &SATSubject and AP TestsCurriculum-Based Test

SAT/ACT – Similar in StructureSAT (3 hours 50 minutes)200 - 800Reading(65 min)200 - 800Writing &LanguageMathMath(No Calc)(Calc)(35 min)(25 min)(55 min)optionalEssay(50 min)ACT (3 hours 35 minutes)1 - 361 - 361 - 361 - 36optionalEnglishMathReadingScienceWriting(45 min)(60 min)(35 min)(35 min)(40 min)

Writing & Language / English

SAT/ACT – Writing & Language / EnglishSATACTVery similar tests. Both require strong grammar and editing skillsand emphasize correcting sentence structure and punctuation.Essays ranging in complexityfrom grades 9-10 to earlycollege levelEssays resemble what mightbe written by a high schoolstudentInclusion of Data Graphics48 seconds / question36 seconds / question

SAT/ACT – Writing & Language / EnglishACTIn 2009, Libbrecht and Arnold’sexperiments revealed that triangularsnowflakes begin with the same processof chemical bonding and forms a8hexagonal shape. The triangular shapeis an illusion resulting from onesignificant addition to the process dust.98. F.G.H.J.NO CHANGEwere they to formif they formedform9. A.B.C.D.NO CHANGEprocess isprocess:process;ACT Form 1572CPRE

SAT Data Graphics QuestionsSAT As of 2010, there were approximately 40,300 urbanand regional planners employed in the United States.The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics forecastssteady job growth in this field, 6 projecting that 16percent of new jobs in all occupations will be relatedto urban and regional planning. Population growthand concerns about environmental sustainability areexpected to spur the need for transportationplanning professionals.Which choice completes thesentence with accurate databased on the above graph?A) NO CHANGEB) warning, however, that jobgrowth in urban and regionalplanning will slow to 14percent by 2020.C) predicting that employment ofurban and regional plannerswill increase 16 percentbetween 2010 and 2020.D) indicating that 14 to 18 percentof urban and regional planningpositions will remain unfilled.College Board: Test Specifications for the Redesigned SAT

Reading

SAT/ACT – ReadingSATACTMore nuanced reading fordeeper understandingQuick, efficient reading forcomprehensionComplexity ranges from grade9-10 to early college levelComplexity ranges from grade9-10 to early college level13 minutes per passage8 4 minutes per passageData Graphics3

SAT/ACT – ReadingSATWhat can reasonably be inferred aboutgliding animals from the passage?Which choice provides the best evidencefor the answer to the previous question?ACTThe passage points to which of thefollowing as a characteristic of trap-jawants’ mandibles that prevents the antsfrom harming themselves with theirpowerful bite?College Board SAT #3ACT Form 1572CPRE

Mathematics

SAT/ACT – MathSATACTNarrow and DeepBroad and ShallowAlgebra – about 60% of MathAlgebra – about 30% of MathRelatively even spread1 Calculator Section1 No-Calculator SectionCalculator allowed throughout83 seconds / question60 seconds / question

SAT/ACT – MathSATACTThe graph of the linear function fhas intercepts at (a, 0) and (0, b) inthe xy-plane. If a b 0 and a b,which of the following is true aboutthe slope of the graph of f ?If two lines in the standard (x, y)coordinate plane areperpendicular and the slope ofone of the lines is 3, what is theslope of the other line?A) It is positive.A. –3B) It is negative.B. –1C) It equals zero.C. –1/3D) It is undefined.D. 1/3E. 3College Board SAT #2ACT Form 1163E

Science

SAT/ACT – ScienceSATNo Science section, but 21science-related questionsappear throughout the test.Does not require knowledge ofspecific science conceptsACTDedicated Science Test.Measures interpretation,analysis, and reasoning skills.Biggest challenge is timing.Students must navigate mazesof information to find therelevant portions.About 3-4 questions requireknowledge of basic scienceconcepts

SAT/ACT – SciencePACIFIC OCEANNORTH AMERICATRENCHCASCADESDENSITY (g/cm3)2.7 continental crust3.0 oceanic crustLITHOSPHERE(Crust Rigid Mantle)Rigid MantleASTHENO-SPHERE3.3–3.5(Plastic Mantle)CRUSTATLANTIC OCEANStiffer MantleOuterOuterCoreCoreMID-ATLANTIC RIDGETEMPERATURE ( C)InnerInner CoreCore9.9–12.1According to Figure 1, thetemperature of the Outer Coreis approximately between:A. 1000º C and 2500º C12.7–13.0B. 2500º C and 5000º CC. 4800º C and 6300º C6000D. 6200º C and 6500º C500040003000200010000 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000DEPTH (km)

Essay / Writing

SAT/ACT – Essay/WritingSAT Essay PromptThe ACT essayassignment asks youto WRITE anargumentative essay,whereas the SAT essayassignment asks youto ANALYZE anargumentative essay.

Is SAT the ACT in Sheep’s Clothing? 4 answer choices Rights-only scoring Writing Test very similar to ACTEnglish Test Test of achievement rather thanaptitude Incorporates science Similar skills tested

Comparing the SAT and ACTMore challengingRequire deep understandingSAT QuestionsNarrower focus of skillsMore time per questionStraightforwardACT QuestionsRequire instant recognitionBroader scope of skillsRequire constant, rapid pace

Choosing SAT or ACT

Choosing SAT or ACTBest way to make this decision isby taking each one and comparingscores using a Concordance Table.

Concordance TablesACT36353433323130New 262524New 21201918New 010401030102010101000990980970960950

Check Your Colleges’ RequirementsColleges Requiring Subject Tests 17

Subject TestsMathScienceHistoryEnglishLanguageMath Level 1Biology (E/M)US HistoryLiteratureChineseMath Level 2ChemistryWorld eanLatinSpanish

When Should I Take Them?

Test Dates – 2017/2018PSATSAT and SubjectTestsACTOctober 25, 2017October 7, 2017September 9, 2017November 4, 2017October 28, 2017December 2, 2017December 9, 2017March 10, 2018(SAT only)February 10, 2018May 5, 2018April 14, 2018June 2, 2018June 9, 2018August 25, 2018July 14, 2018

Sample Testing PlansSophomore YearSample Plan #1 May or June SubjectTests (if appropriate) Diagnostic SAT andACT tests duringsummer betweensophomore and junioryearsJunior Year October PSAT/NMSQTSenior Year Final SAT as needed March & May SATsorFebruary & April ACTs June Subject Tests (asneeded)Most students should take the SAT or ACT twice in their junior year andagain once, if necessary, in the fall of their senior year.

Score ChoiceAll Scores Required*Score Choice Allowed*Carnegie eUniv. of ChicagoWellesley CollegeWesleyanWilliams* These lists provide just a sampling of schools and their score use policies.

SuperscoringJanuaryOctoberMayReading &WritingMathReading &WritingMathReading reReading &WritingMath

How Should I Prepare for Them?

Choose a Starting DateTest prep should allow for at least6-15 weeks of study and practicebefore the official test date.

Foundations of Test PreparationContentMasteryStrategyPracticeTests

Guiding PrinciplesMost students will scorethe same, no matter whattests they take, but it’sworth looking for astudent’s best test.A good testing planprioritizes school workover test prep. Testingearly and often isgenerally not sensible.Prepping for one testhelps prepare for theother.Students score their bestat end of junior year andfall of senior year. It is theRARE student who isfinished by January ofjunior year, even highscorers.

Last, But Not Least Maintain perspective.It’s just a test.

Summit Educational GroupSUMMITGrades 5-12 Test Preparationand Academic SupportEDUCATIONAL One-on-One, In-Home Test Prep and Tutoring Classroom-Based Test Prep Course Materials and ServicesG R O U PFocusingthe IndividualStudent(800)MY onTUTORMYTUTOR.COM

2015 NACAC State of College Admissions. . PSAT is Practice for the SAT 120 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 PSAT 8/9 (120-720) SAT (200-800) . Speed Test Power Test Curriculum-Based Test Aptitude Test Old PSAT & Old SAT ACT Subject and AP Tests PSAT & SAT. SAT/ACT -Similar in Structure English (45 min) Math (60 min) Reading (35 min) Science .