Testing Information Night Brought to you by: the NMHS School - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

Comparing the Tests Overall Format

Notice: the ACT has more questions & is completed in a shorter period of time.

Comparing the Tests by Section

Notice: there is no specific science section

• n 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 than it is about specific scientific knowledge. Notice: ACT allows a calculator

• n ALL math

questions & ALL math questions are multiple choice. HOWEVER - no formulas provided.

Timing

Redesigned SAT ACT

Component Time Allotted # of Questions English 45 minutes 75 questions Math 60 minutes 60 questions Reading 35 minutes 40 questions Science 35 minutes 40 questions Essay (optional) 40 minutes 1 essay 175-215 min 215-216 problems Component Time Allotted # of Questions Reading 65 minutes 52 questions Writing & Language 35 minutes 44 questions Math - no calculator 25 minutes 20 questions Math - with calculator 55 minutes 38 questions Essay (optional) 50 minutes 1 essay 180-220 min 154-155 problems *more questions, less time

A Look at the Numbers

SAT score < 920 = bottom 25% SAT score of 1060 =average score SAT score of 1200+ = top 25% SAT score of 1320+ = top 10% SAT score of 1390+ = top 5% SAT score of 1480+ = top 1% of test-takers ACT score < 16 = bottom 25% ACT score of 20 = average score ACT score of 24+ = top 25% ACT score of 28+ = top 10% ACT of 31+ = top 5% ACT score of 34+ = top 1% of test-takers

ACT.org - National Distributions of Cumulative Percents for ACT Test Scores, 2017 CollegeBoard SAT - Understanding Scores, 2017

For APS: Level 3 SAT 1060 Level 2 SAT 1130 Level 1 SAT 1210 For APS: Level 3 ACT 21 Level 2 ACT 23 Level 1 ACT 25

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

SAT Test $46.00 without essay $60.00 with essay

*fee waivers are available for students who qualify - see counselor for details

ACT Test $46.00 without essay $62.50 with essay

send your scores to 4 schools for free when you register (or up to 9 days after you test) $12 for each additional score report *fee waiver students can send additional reports for free send your scores to 4 schools for free when you register $13 for each additional score report

Which Scores Will Schools Use?

Most colleges follow one

• f these policies:

Focus on All Scores: some schools look at scores from all official tests you’ve taken. Focus on Highest Sitting: some schools will consider only your highest composite score from a single test sitting. 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:

• Scores will be available about 3 weeks

after the test date

• Essay scores are available about a

week later.

• Colleges receive your scores about 10

days after you do.

ACT:

• Scores will be available within 2–8

weeks after the test date.

• Essay scores are usually available

within 2 weeks after your multiple choice scores.

• 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
• f 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

Khan Academy offers free SAT test prep online. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat Kaplan offers free (ACT test prep videos & webinars

• nline) + 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

Here are just a couple

• f the many resources available

to help you prepare for the ACT & SAT:

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

KPC Open House Event

February 23rd 9:00-11:30 am

Open to: 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

Questions?

Resources:

• Frontier Tutoring LLC -

http://www.frontiertutoring.com/hubfs/170714%20Ultimate%20SAT%20ACT%20Guide%20Fall%202017%20For%20OP.pdf?t =1516138341605

• UAF - http://www.uaf.edu/finaid/scholarships/#admissions
• Green Test Prep - https://greentestprep.com/resources/sat-prep/act-vs-sat/sat-act-differences/
• Magoosh - https://magoosh.com/hs/act/2016/average-act-score-by-state/
• ACT - Act.org https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/MultipleChoiceStemComposite2017-18.pdf
• SAT - Collegeboard.org https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/understanding-sat-scores.pdf
• Khan Academy -

https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat/new-sat-tips-planning/new-sat-about-sat/a/scoring-on-the-redesigned-sat

• AVTEC: https://avtec.edu/sites/all/WEB-Images/AdmissionsDocs/TABE-Required_Scores.pdf
• ASVAB - http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab/asvab-career-exploration-program.html