College Testing PSAT ACT & SAT Subject Tests 1HGHS Counseling Center - February 2010.

HGHS Counseling Center - February 2010 1

College Testing

PSATACT & SAT

Subject Tests


Source: HGHS College Guide 2011 – Presentation is available on Naviance under "Documents Library.”

Between 1999 and 2009, the total number of test takers for both the ACT and SAT has increased from 2 million to 3 million.

Between 1999 and 2009, the percentages of test takers has gone from 55% SAT / 45% ACT to 50% SAT / 50% ACT.

Between 2001 & 2006, the number of ACT test takers increased 66% in the east and 46% in the west. The ACT, a competitor of the SAT, though not as common on the east coast, has grown significantly in popularity in the last few years.

We have seen a substantial increase in ACT test takers at Greeley in the past few years as well.


A Comparison of ACT vs. SATACT SAT SAT

Length 3 hours, 25 minutes (including the 3 hours, 45 minutes30-minute optional Writing Test)

Sections 4 test sections (5 with the optional 10 SectionsEssay, known as the Writing Test)

Areas Tested English, Math Reading Science, Critical Reading, Math, WritingWriting (Optional—but required by most colleges) (includes the Essay)

Reading (ACT) / 4 Reading Comprehension passages, Mix of Reading comprehensionCrit. Reading (SAT) 10 questions per passage Sentence Completion questions

that require vocabulary expertise

Science Science (analysis, interpretation, Science not included evaluation, problem solving) covered

Math Math accounts for 1/4 of overall score Math accounts for 1/3 of overall score Topics Covered: Algebra, Geometry Topics covered: Basic Geometry, Trig. and Algebra II

Essay Last thing you do (optional): First thing you do; 30 minutes 25 minutes Not included in composite score Factored into overall score

Scoring Total composite score of 1-36 Total score out of 2400 (based on average of 4 tests) 3 scores of 200-800 for each section 4 scores of 1-36 for each test 2 sub-scores of 20-80 for writing Score of 0-12 for the optional Essay multiple choice and 0-12 for the Essay

Wrong Answer Penalty No wrong answer penalty Yes, 1/4 point per wrong answer

(except for Math Grid-in questions)

Sending Score You decide which score is sent You decide which score is sent)


ACT is curriculum based while the SAT tests general reasoning and problem solving skills.

Some say the SAT is more nuanced or trickier while the ACT is more straightforward.

Both organizations (ACT & College Board/SAT) emphasize that rigorous classes are the best preparation.

Questions to ask after taking one or both –

How did it feel? Which was more stressful? Did you understand the format?Which one did I perform better on?

ACT V. SAT


All eleventh graders planning to go to college will likely have taken the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October of junior year. Students will receive a detailed score report in early December.

The PSAT is divided into three sections: critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing. The test is primarily intended for eleventh graders and we do not encourage students to take the PSAT prior to that. Though the junior year PSAT results are used as the qualifying measure for National Merit Scholarships, scores are not sent to colleges. Students will receive registration information from the Counseling Department in September. The PSAT is administered at Greeley on the third Saturday in October. Typically, students will take the SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT once or twice in the junior year. If necessary, both tests are offered in the fall of senior year in time for both Early Decision and Regular Decision deadlines.

Students often ask, “Which test should I take, the SAT or the ACT? Should I take both? (This is one of those questions for which the answer begins with “It depends.”) Assuming that a student has taken the PSAT in October, the results may help to inform the decision. If you’ve done well on the PSAT, since the SAT is so similar you may not need to concern yourself with preparing for another test (the ACT). On the other hand, if you’re not the type who gets stressed out about testing, maybe you would want to take both the SAT and ACT to see if there is a significant difference in your scores.

Some students may also have taken one or more SAT Subject Tests in ninth and tenth grade. Students will also take subject tests at the conclusion of junior year in May or June.

Students and parents are strongly encouraged to consult with their counselor regarding individual plans for college testing.

Time Table


SAT Subject Tests is the collective name for 20 multiple-choice standardized tests given on individual subjects.

Students typically choose which tests to take depending upon college entrance requirements for the schools to which they are planning to apply and based on academic areas of strength.

Until 1994, the SAT Subject Tests were known as Achievement Tests, and until January 2005, they were known as SAT IIs; they are still commonly known by these names.

Every test is now a one-hour timed test and a student may take up to three SAT Subject Tests on any given date.

Each individual test is scored on a scale of 200 to 800.

Most SAT subject tests are offered on the same day as the regular SAT. The language tests with listening are generally available only once a year, in November. A calendar of test dates and registration deadlines can be found on The College Board’s official website www.collegeboard.com.

Historically, the SAT II in Writing was discontinued after January 2005 when it was incorporated into the SAT in March of 2005.

Subject Tests


Subject Tests (Cont’d)Required by some of the more competitive private colleges who most often want to see the results of two tests. A few of the most highly selective colleges require three subject tests. Students applying for particular majors, such as engineering, may have more specific subject test requirements. Some students take the Biology test at the end of ninth grade but most of the subject tests are taken at the end of tenth and eleventh grade.

Since planning for subject tests can be complicated and is very individual in nature, students should consult with their counselors to design a personal testing calendar.

The registration procedure is the same as the SAT Reasoning Test.

Students are not permitted to take SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests on the same date.

Registering early gives students the greatest possibility of testing at Greeley, rather than a second-choice site.

Schools also vary with regard to their SAT Subject test requirements of students submitting scores for the ACT in place of the SAT: some schools consider the ACT an alternative to both the SAT and some SAT Subject tests, whereas others accept the ACT but require SAT Subject tests as well. Information about a school's specific test requirements can typically be found on its official website.


•Literature•US History •World History•Mathematics Level I•Mathematics Level II•Biology •Chemistry•Physics•Chinese•Spanish Speaking•Spanish Listening•French Speaking•French Listening•German Speaking•German Listening•Modern Hebrew•Italian•Japanese•Korean•Latin

20 Subject Tests to

Choose From


School

Subject Tests Subject Tests Subject Tests

Required Recommended ConsideredGeorgetown University 3* Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges 3* Amherst College 2* Barnard College 2* Boston College 2* Boston University 2* Brandeis University 2* Brown University 2* Bryn Mawr College 2* California Institute of Technology 2* Carnegie Mellon University 2* Columbia University 2* Cornell University 2* Dartmouth College 2* Duke University 2* Franklin Olin College of Engineering 2* Harvey Mudd College 2* Haverford College 2* Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2* McGill University 2* Pomona College 2* Princeton University 2* Rice University 2* Swarthmore College 2* Tufts University 2* University of California, Berkeley 2* University of California, Davis 2* University of California, Irvine 2* University of California, Los Angeles 2* University of California, Merced 2*


School


Required Recommended ConsideredUniversity of California, Riverside 2* University of California, San Diego 2* University of California, Santa Barbara 2* University of California, Santa Cruz 2* University of Pennsylvania 2* Vassar College 2* Washington and Lee University 2* Webb Institute 2* Wellesley College 2* Wesleyan University 2* Williams College 2* Yale University 2* Johns Hopkins University 3 Northwestern University 3 Cooper Union 2 Davidson College 2 Hampden-Sydney College 2 Skidmore College 2 Stanford University 2 University of Delaware 2 University of Virginia 2 Vanderbilt University 2 Allegheny College X American University X Babson College X Carleton College X Claremont McKenna X Emory University X Hollins University X Lafayette College X


School

Subject Tests

Required Recommended ConsideredLehigh University X Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute X Scripps College X University of Georgia X University of Southern California X Washington University in St. Louis X Bard College XBates College XBeloit College XBennington College XBowdoin College XBucknell University XCase Western Reserve University XColby College XCollege of the Holy Cross XCollege of William and Mary XColorado College XConnecticut College XGeorge Mason University XGeorge Washington University XHamilton College XIthaca College XKenyon College XMacalester College XMiddlebury College XMills College XMount Holyoke College XNew York University XOberlin College XOccidental College XPratt Institute X


School


Required Recommended Considered

Randolph-Macon College X

Reed College X

Smith College X

St. Lawrence University X

Trinity College (CT) X

Union College X

University of Arizona X

University of Chicago X

University of Mary Washington X

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill X

University of Notre Dame X

University of Rochester X

University of Texas, Austin X

Ursinus College X

Wake Forest University X

Whitman College X

Worcester Polytechnic Institute X* If an ACT score is submitted, Subject Tests may not be required. See school’s individual website to confirm testing policies. Source: www.compassprep.com


Score Choice

What is score choice?

Score choice allows the test-taker (you) to decide which SAT scores to release to prospective colleges. In the past, colleges would automatically receive all of your scores.

Score choice is a free option that you choose when you register for the test. If you do not choose it, your prospective colleges will continue to receive all of your scores.

Does that mean colleges will see only my best scores on each section?

No. Score choice allows you to release your entire SAT Reasoning Test (formerly known as the SAT I) results from one or more test dates. If you take the test in October, for example, you can release all of your section scores (Math, Critical Reading, and Writing) from that date or none of your section scores from that date. You’re not allowed to pick and choose by section.

The rules for the SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as the SAT IIs) are a little different. You can release any SAT Subject Test score from any date. For example, if you took both US History and Math Level 2 in June, you could release the History while holding back the Math.

Source: PrincetonReview.com


Score Choice (Cont’d)

Will colleges care if I use score choice?

It depends. Some don’t mind if you use score choice. But many still want to see all of your scores.The College Board (the company that runs the SAT) says that it does not notify schools if a student is using score choice. That said, if a school expects to receive all of your scores, you should send in all of your scores. It is not a good idea to be dishonest or sneaky at any point in the college admissions process. Keep an eye out for a list of colleges and their testing policies to be made available later this semester.

So…should I use score choice?

If you’re planning to use score choice to sit for the SAT six or seven times, you might want to think again. Your score is unlikely to rise significantly after the third time. Your time, effort and resources would be better invested in good preparation.


EXAMPLES OF TESTING POLICIES BY SCHOOL

University of Pennsylvania

Requires either the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests OR the ACT with Writing. All Scores Required for Review.

Penn's response to The College Board's Score-Use testing policy for students is to request the student's entire testing history. Penn's admissions office requires data and information to make informed decisions. Although Penn will always utilize the highest scores from any test or subsection in the review of a candidate's application, having the complete testing profile provides deeper insight. Improvement in scores over a period of time, consistency in scoring or the knowledge that a student took the test once (as a relatively high scorer or even a lower score) provides information helpful in the review process. Penn will take the highest of any individual scores from any administration. Furthermore, if the new Score-Use policy creates behavior that may be unproductive, like taking the test at an earlier stage and taking the test more than 3 times, the Admissions Committee can benefit from that information. And if students know that someschools will ask for all the tests, this behavior may be discouraged.

Which Test?

Penn requires either the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests OR the ACT with Writing. No preference is given to either test. However, Penn requires that applicants submit all testing results from each administration of the ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests.


Duke University

Students must take either the three-part SAT and two SAT Subject Tests, or the ACT including the writing exam.

Applicants to the Pratt School of Engineering who take the SAT must take one SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2).

Students who take the ACT are not required to submit SAT scores, but they should plan to take the ACT that includes the writing exam.

For students who choose to submit SAT test scores, Duke will use the highest-available Critical Reading, Writing, and Math scores, plus the two highest subject test scores, regardless of the date those tests were taken. Students opting to use the College Board's Score Choice™ option when sending Duke their scores may do so.

For students who choose to submit the ACT with writing, Duke will consider the highest composite score and highest sub scores on each section, regardless of test date, but will not recalculate the composite score.

Because Duke's Trinity College Curriculum includes a foreign language component, students are encouraged—but not required—to take the foreign language SAT Subject Test. For complete information about the use of SAT Subject Test scores in foreign language placement at Duke, please visit our website.


Pomona College

Believes a full testing history, like a full transcript, provides context for a fair evaluation for each candidate. Pomona has a strong interest in reviewing all our candidates with straightforward and common standards, which includes the presentation of all academic work from all schools attended and includes test scores from all examinations. If different students use different rules, establishing a fair and common set of considerations is seriously challenged. We wish to create as level a playing field as possible for our candidates and believe that students who cannot afford repeated testing or test preparation courses should not be considered with a different battery of information.

We also hope this policy will discourage too much testing. Our recommendation typically is that students should test twice. Some students will find more comfort in a third testing but testing many times only very, very rarely has produced measurably different results. We believe time is better spent elsewhere. Test scores are only one element in a very thorough application review process and given the academic strength of our applicants, and only with exceptional rarity, have test results been the final decision point in our considerations.

The testing requirement applies equally to the ACT and the SAT and parallels our requirement that students submit full academic records for all schools attended.


TEST DATES

For those who are interested, there is a growing list of selective colleges and universities that do not require any testing. This list can be found at www.fairtest.org and a shorter list of test-optional schools that Greeley students commonly apply to is available in our College & Career Center or from your counselor.

For those students with accommodations such as extended time, we ask that you visit the following links to review the process involved in securing testing accommodations and then speak to the counselor if you have any questions – http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/ for the SAT & Subject Testshttp://www.act.org/aap/disab/index.html for the ACT

SAT = http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-dates?decorator=print2010-2011 Test Dates to be announced in July.

ACT = http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.htmlSeptember 11, 2010* October 23, 2010 December 11, 2010 February 12, 2011** April 9, 2011 June 11, 2011

http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/

http://www.act.org/aap/disab/index.html

http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-dates?decorator=print

http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html

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