10 th and 11 th Parent Grade Parent Seminar Presentation Todays - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Parent Seminar

10th and 11th Grade Parent Presentation

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Today’s Presentation: Review of the SAT and ACT Admissions Tests Overview Your Next Steps

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Why Admissions Tests Matter

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Why Admissions Tests Matter

Nearly 90% of colleges placed considerable or moderate importance on test scores* Merit scholarships are awarded based on test scores and grades

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Test Taking Timeline

Fall Sophomore Spring Sophomore Fall Junior Spring Junior Fall Senior

PSAT AP Tests/ SAT Subject Tests SAT or ACT PSAT/ NMSQT SAT or ACT Last chance!

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A Primer: PSAT, SAT, and ACT PSAT § Used for scholarships § Offered in October of sophomore year § Taken in October of junior year (qualifies for National Merit) § Helps prepare students for the SAT

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A Primer: AP and SAT Subject Tests AP (Advanced Placement) Exams § The culmination of a students’ involvement in an AP class § Offered in the spring § Can count towards college credit towards their degree

§ Check with your schools of interest to learn more about AP credit acceptance policies

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A Primer: AP and SAT Subject Tests SAT Subject Tests § 1-hour standardized test on individual subjects § Offered on same dates as standard SAT § Some schools or programs require SAT Subject Tests for admission purposes

§ Selective colleges usually require or recommend scores from at least two SAT Subject Tests

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SAT (Post March 2016) Overview

Category Features

• Now scored on a scale of 1600

ü Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ü Math

• New optional Essay scored separately
• No wrong answer penalty
• 4 answer choices

Scoring

3 hours, 50 minutes including 50 minute essay

Timing

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SAT Scoring Details

Test Scores

§ 3 scores: Math, Reading, and Writing & Language § Range of 10 - 40

Area Score

§ Math § Range of 200 - 800

Area Score

§ Evidence-Based Reading + Writing § Range of 200 - 800

Composite Score

§ Sum of the two Area Scores § Range of 400 - 1600

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PSAT & SAT Scoring: How Do They Compare? SAT: 400-1600 PSAT/NMSQT: 320-1520

300 600 900 1200 1500 Composite Score Range

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SAT Overview

Category Features

• Reading and Writing combined
• Reading details:

ü No sentence completions ü Passage topics include US and World Literature, History/Social Studies, and Sciences (500 - 750 words) ü 65 minutes

• Writing and Language details:

ü Focus on extended prose (400 - 500 words) ü 35 minutes

Evidence-based Reading & Writing Section

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SAT Overview

Category Features

Math Section

• Three areas of concentrated focus:

ü Problem solving and data analysis ü “The Heart of Algebra” ü “Passport to Advanced Math”

• Math fluency emphasized

ü 25 minutes / 20 questions without a Calculator ü 55 minutes / 38 questions with a Calculator

• Grid-In questions

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ACT Overview

Category Features

• Scored on a scale from 1 – 36

average score from four test sections:

ü English ü Math ü Reading ü Science

• Optional Essay scored separately
• No wrong answer penalty

Scoring

3 hours, 25 minutes including 40 minute essay

Timing

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ACT Sections

Category Features

45 minutes / 75 questions Evaluate the structure of various passages:

• Usage/Mechanics/Grammar
• Rhetorical skills / organizing text

English Reading

60 minutes / 60 questions

• Large focus on Algebra and Geometry
• A few Trigonometry questions

35 minutes / 40 questions

• Compare and contrast paired passages

Science

35 minutes / 40 questions

• Data interpretation and analysis

Mathematics

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Comparing the SAT and ACT

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Optional Essays on the SAT and ACT

§ Essay is optional § 50 min on SAT, 40 min on ACT Asks students to write a timed essay on a given topic, integrating text content

Essay

Category Features

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13%* of Colleges Require the SAT or ACT Essay

• Anderson University (IN)
• California Institute of Technology
• Claremont McKenna College
• College of Southern Nevada
• Dartmouth College
• Duke University
• Emory University
• Harvard College
• Howard University
• Marlboro College (VT)
• Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Prince George’s Community College
• Princeton University
• Rice University
• Stanford University
• Texas A&M University
• University of California Schools
• University of South Florida
• University of St. Andrews (UK)
• University of Texas at Austin
• Yale University

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Sciences Humanities SS/History Sciences New SAT ACT Literature Careers Humanities SS/History Literature

Reading Passage Topics

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Math Skills Tested

Data Analysis/Problem Solving Algebra Geometry Algebra Data Analysis/Problem Solving Geometry Trig New SAT ACT Trig

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What’s the Difference? SAT? ACT?

SAT ACT

Reading More Social Studies Reading More Science Reading Math More data analysis More geometry No calculator section Calculator use allowed Scoring 50% math, 50% verbal 25% math, 50% verbal 25% science

Comparing the SAT and ACT

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What’s a great score? § It depends! § Review your PSAT practice test results,

• r SAT/ACT scores

§ Review your schools of interest and determine what their average SAT scores are

§ School website § Big Future via collegeboard.org

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§PSAT in October for National Merit Qualification §Focus on Academics – this is a critical year! §Research admissions requirements for target, reach, and safety schools §Prepare for the SAT or ACT §Take AP and Subject Tests

Junior Year Senior Year

§Take the SAT and/or ACT for the last time §Take AP and Subject Tests §Request recommendation letters §Complete college applications §Fill out FAFSA §Research scholarships §Keep your grades up!

Your Next Steps

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Setting yourself up for success: SAT & ACT

DO… Why

Read, read, read! Reading comprehension is heavily tested – reading for fun will help Pay attention in class The SAT and ACT reflect skills learned in the classroom Get an SAT or ACT book and do practice problems The types of questions repeat a lot Get to know the format The instructions are always the same Take practice tests You’ll know what to expect on test day

Practice with a Purpose

Take a free quiz or practice test & help a student in need. http://ktp.events/centralnj

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Next Steps and Resources

What do you need? Where to find it:

A Free Practice Test – learn what the SAT/ACT is like Online at www.kaptest.com Additional Resources about the SAT Change SAT Change Resources www.kaptest.com/satchange Where Do I Register for the SAT/ACT? www.collegeboard.com www.act.org Your College Counselors

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Thank You!

Ryan DeGuzman, Pre-College Programs Manager ryan.deguzman@kaplan.com 973-845-8855 Feel free to contact me, visit kaptest.com/satchange,

• r call 1-800-KAP-TEST for additional resources, classes, and

information about the New SAT and ACT.