Testing Information Night Brought to you by: the NMHS School Counseling Department in collaboration with Kenai Peninsula College and Boys & Girls Club
Almost all post-secondary institutions require some sort of test.
College Track: Most 2 & 4 year colleges will want one of these: The ACT & SAT are entrance exams. 4 year colleges accept both the ACT & SAT - which means you get to pick the one that is a best-fit for *you.*
Spring Semester Junior Year = Ideal Time to Test
Notice: the ACT has more questions & is completed in a shorter period of time. Comparing the Tests Overall Format
Notice: ACT allows a calculator on ALL math questions & ALL math questions are multiple choice. HOWEVER - no formulas provided. Notice: there is no specific science section on the SAT - but science-related questions appear throughout the test. Notice: the science section of the ACT is more about being able to use graphs/charts and interpret data Comparing than it is about specific scientific the Tests knowledge. by Section
Timing Redesigned SAT ACT Component Time Allotted # of Questions Component Time Allotted # of Questions Reading 65 minutes 52 questions English 45 minutes 75 questions Writing & Language 35 minutes 44 questions Math 60 minutes 60 questions Math - no calculator 25 minutes 20 questions Reading 35 minutes 40 questions Math - with calculator 55 minutes 38 questions Science 35 minutes 40 questions Essay (optional) 40 minutes 1 essay Essay (optional) 50 minutes 1 essay 175-215 min 215-216 problems 180-220 min 154-155 problems *more questions, less time
A Look at the Numbers SAT score < 920 = bottom 25% ACT score < 16 = bottom 25% SAT score of 1060 =average score ACT score of 20 = average score SAT score of 1200+ = top 25% ACT score of 24+ = top 25% SAT score of 1320+ = top 10% ACT score of 28+ = top 10% SAT score of 1390+ = top 5% ACT of 31+ = top 5% SAT score of 1480+ = top 1% of test-takers ACT score of 34+ = top 1% of test-takers For APS: For APS: Level 3 SAT 1060 Level 3 ACT 21 Level 2 SAT 1130 Level 2 ACT 23 Level 1 SAT 1210 Level 1 ACT 25 ACT.org - National Distributions of Cumulative CollegeBoard SAT - Understanding Scores, 2017 Percents for ACT Test Scores, 2017
Alaska Performance Scholarship
Monitoring APS Progress Log in on PowerSchool to see your progress towards earning the APS.
UAF Merit-Based Scholarship Opportunities Scholarship Minimum Award Amount GPA ACT SAT Other Requirements Nanook Gold Full Tuition 4.0 30 1410 First-time freshmen Chancellor’s $4,000 3.6 27 1300 First-time freshmen UAF Office of Financial Aid https://uaf.edu/finaid/scholarships/
Alright - now what? Signing Up Costs Dates & Deadlines Getting Your Scores
Registration, Test Dates & Deadlines SAT ACT Test Date Registration Deadline Test Date Registration Deadline March 10, 2018 Feb 9, 2018 Feb 10, 2018 Jan 12, 2018 May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018 June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018 Register for the SAT at Collegeboard.org Register for the ACT at ACT.org
Costs ACT Test SAT Test $46.00 without essay $46.00 without essay $62.50 with essay $60.00 with essay send your scores to 4 schools for free send your scores to 4 schools for free when you register (or up to 9 days after when you register you test) $13 for each additional score report $12 for each additional score report *fee waiver students can send additional reports for free *fee waivers are available for students who qualify - see counselor for details
Which Scores Will Schools Use? Focus on All Scores: some schools look at scores from all official tests you’ve taken. Most colleges Focus on Highest Sitting: some schools will consider only your highest composite score follow one from a single test sitting. of these policies: Focus on Highest Sections – Multiple Sittings: some schools will combine your highest section scores across multiple test sittings to calculate a composite “superscore.”
Getting Your Results SAT: ACT: Scores will be available about 3 weeks Scores will be available within 2–8 ● ● after the test date weeks after the test date. Essay scores are available about a Essay scores are usually available ● ● week later. within 2 weeks after your multiple Colleges receive your scores about 10 choice scores. ● days after you do. Colleges receive your scores? Timing ● depends.
NMHS’s Code: 020274 Students must list this code on their test to ensure that KPBSD receives a copy ● of their test scores Don’t need to memorize it - can look it up when registering ● Test scores go on student transcripts & will be entered into PowerSchool to ● track APS progress
Bottom Line: The two tests are now quite similar. The best way to figure out which test to take is to take a full length practice test for both tests. See how you do on the two and pick the one best suited to you. *a word about the essay - You get to choose whether or not to sign up for the essay on both tests. Check out college you’re interested in & see if they require the essay. It doesn’t hurt to take it.
B&G Club - ACT/SAT
More Test Prep Here are just a couple of the many resources available to help you prepare for the ACT & SAT: Khan Academy offers free SAT test prep online. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat Kaplan offers free (ACT test prep videos & webinars online) + test prep courses starting at *$99.95* www.act.org *students who register for the ACT with a fee waiver get free access to the ACT test prep programs online* FREE ACT & SAT test prep booklets available outside Ms. G’s office
Other Tests to Know About
Sophomores, preparing for your junior year? Get a feel for the SAT - no risk. Your scores do NOT go to colleges, but allow you to see where you’re at & what you need to study to improve. Required test to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Offered at NMHS every October. *Cost $15-$18 (varies by year) Sign up with Ms. G *some fee waivers available for juniors who qualify
Career Path: WorkKeys The WorkKeys tests students in applied mathematics, reading for information and locating information. Required for some job training programs. Qualifies students for APS - to be used at career/technical schools in Alaska (see list). Available at Kenai Job Center for free - appointment required.
Military Path: ASVAB The Student ASVAB is a FREE test used for career exploration for high school and college students. Your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) military qualification score is reflected on your test results and can be used to enlist in any of the military services. Offered at NMHS every fall to 10th-12th grade students. Interpretation event will take place at NMHS, February 5th at 11:15am.
Technical Route: TABE - Test of Adult Basic Education The TABE tests skills and aptitudes in reading, math & English as they are applied in the workforce or classroom. Mandatory for all AVTEC applications - TABE A or TABE D - depending on program student is applying to. (see chart) Available at Kenai Job Center for free - appointment required. AVTEC Admissions Office
KPC JumpStart Quick Facts: Earn DUAL (high school & college) credit ● Tuition discounts for Juniors & Seniors ($67/credit - 6 credits/semester) ● Accuplacer and ALEKs exams required for course placement ●
ACCUPlacer Course Placement at many Alaska colleges/universities (KPC, UAA, etc.) It’s important for students to do well so they are not placed into remedial classes (that don’t count for college credit) ACCUPlacer or qualifying ACT/SAT test scores required for KPC JumpStart classes. Available at KPC for $18, call for schedule *Will be offered at NMHS, Thursday, April 12th at 9:00am
ALEKS Course Placement for Math at University of Alaska campuses University of Alaska no longer accepts SAT/ACT scores for math placement (KPC instructors will) FREE - no cost to you! *Will be offered at NMHS, Thursday, April 12th at 9:00am
February 23rd KPC Open 9:00-11:30 am Open to: House Event Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors Tour the dorms - learn about programs! [$5 to attend to cover busing] Degree programs available: General Studies CNA, CMA & Nursing Psychology Business & Accounting Human Services Radiologic Technology Corrections Elementary Education Welding Process Tech & Instrumentation
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