Standardized Testing: What Does it all Mean?

Agenda

• Get to know the PSAT, Aspire, SAT Subject Tests, ACT and the new SAT

• Learn strategies for success

• Prep smarter, not harder

What Do These Tests Really Measure? How well you take the test!

That’s it – we promise!

• Students are tested on subjects they have already learned in high school in order to compare their overall high school and college preparedness (as well as the preparation skills of their respective high schools) against other college bound juniors

• It is a “common denominator” • How well you do on this test does not speak to your

overall grades, GPA, class rank, etc.

What Makes them Difficult?

• Different from tests your take in school • Amount of questions – too many to finish • Tricky language in the questions • Common errors (traps) in the answer choices • No partial credit on math – process doesn’t

matter • Points deducted for writing or multiple choice • Long!!!

Let’s Get to Know the Tests

Why Take the PSAT 1. Practice Run for the Real Thing

3. Scholarship Opportunities • National Merit Scholarship Program, Corporate Scholarships,

National Achievement Program

2. Get a Higher Score on the SAT • Students who took the PSAT scored, on average, 120 points

higher on SAT • Students who took the PSAT their sophomore and junior year

scored, on average 222 points higher on the SAT

PSAT vs. SAT The Skills tested on the PSAT Critical Reading, Math, and Writing questions are designed to be the same as those on the SAT. However, there are significant differences in the structure of both tests.

SECTION FORMAT/ TIME QUESTION TYPES SCORE 2013 Averages

Math 3 Sections Multiple Choice Grid-Ins

200–800 514

The SAT at-a-Glance

200–800 Critical Reading

496 3 Sections

Multiple Choice

Writing 3 Sections Multiple Choice Essay

200–800 0–12 7.2

488

Total 10 Sections 3 hours, 45

minutes

Multiple Choice Grid-Ins

Essay 600–2400 1498

Experimental Multiple Choice 1 Section Not Scored N/A

The SAT at-a-Glance Understanding SAT Scoring

• Correct Answer: +1 point

• Omitted Question: 0 points

• Incorrect Answer (multiple choice): -1/4 point

• Incorrect Answer (non-multiple choice math questions): 0 points

If you can eliminate 1 answer choice, guess!

Reading Your SAT Score Report

Why Take Aspire 1. Practice for the real thing

2. Get a higher score on the ACT

3. Part of a comprehensive, curriculum based

program beginning in 3rd grade that helps build a solid foundation for future academic and career success • Lets you know if you’re on track for college • Points out your academic strengths and areas you need to improve • Helps you find careers that match your interests • Connects you with more colleges interested in you

Aspire vs. ACT The Skills tested on Aspire are similar to those on the ACT. However, the structure of the test is different. Subjects include Reading, Science, Math, English and Writing

Aspire ACT

Sections 5 4 (Writing Optional)

Total Length 4:10 Minutes 2:55-3:25 Minutes

Scoring Index Varies 1-36

FORMAT/ TIME

SECTION FORMAT/ TIME QUESTION TYPES SCORE 2013 Averages

English 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 20.5

The ACT at-a-Glance

Math 1 Section

Multiple Choice 1–36 21.0

Reading 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 21.3

Science 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 20.9

Writing 1 Section

Essay (Optional)

1–36 20.8 2–12 7.2

4–5 Sections 2 hrs, 55 minutes 3 hrs, 25 minutes

Multiple Choice Essay

1–36 21.1 Total:

• Correct Answer: +1 point

• Omitted Question: 0 points • Incorrect Answer: 0 points

Answer every question. If you don’t know the answer, guess!

Understanding ACT Scoring

The ACT at-a-Glance

Reading Your ACT Score Report

• ACT has “Science” reasoning questions.

• ACT has four trigonometry questions.

• SAT essay is required and first.

• ACT essay is last and not always required.

• SAT is 20 minutes longer.

SAT vs. ACT

Common Myths • The SAT is an IQ test.

• The ACT is easier.

• Only take the ACT if you’re good at science.

• Competitive schools only accept the SAT.

Score Choice

• Sending the combined top scores from multiple test dates • Majority of students send all scores to all schools, but, wait to see

their actual scores first.

• Each test registration comes with 4 free score reports. • If Score Choice is not selected, prospective colleges receive

scores • Super Score: Most schools take the top score for each section from all

of your scores. College also want to report higher test scores because it raises their ranking.

Subject Tests • 20 one hour individual subject tests • Can take up to three tests in one day (except for SAT Reason and SAT Subject tests) • Recommended for AP/ Honors Students • Scored from 200 to 800 (Same as SAT) • Choices should be dependent on college entrance requirements for field of study •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

What Do Colleges Think?

Facts: • All schools accept the SAT or ACT. • 89% of schools use SAT or ACT

test scores in making admissions decisions.

How Do I Decide? • Use your PSAT and Aspire results to guide you

• How did you feel after each test?

• Option to take both the SAT and ACT

SAT Test Change ®

SAT Test Changes

March 2016

Class of 2017 takes first

administration of new SAT

Test Change Timeline

2016 2014 2015

October 2014

Class of 2016 takes final

administration of old PSAT

October 2015

Class of 2017 takes first

administration of new PSAT*

January 2016

Final administration

of old SAT * Details about the changes to the PSAT not yet released

PSAT

SAT

SAT Test Changes

New Test Overview

Category Features

Scoring

No wrong-answer penalty

Scored on a scale of 1600 800 points for Math 800 points for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

Test, Cross-, and Sub-scores reported

Optional Essay scored separately

Timing 3 hours + 50-minute optional essay

SAT Test Changes

New Test Overview

Category Features

Structure

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test 65-minute Reading section 35-minute Language and Writing section All multiple-choice questions have only 4 answer choices

Math Test 55-minute section with calculator 25-minute section with no calculator Includes grid-ins and multiple choice questions All multiple-choice questions have only 4 answer choices

Essay Optional 50-minutes long

Strategies for Success

Strategies (Without Prepping) • Slow down and answer fewer questions. You

don’t have to finish to get a good score • Different difficulty = same amount of points • Most sections go from easy to hard • Spend more time on the easy questions • Easy question have easy answers, hard

questions have hard answers

College Prep Timeline

• Extracurricular activities

• Prep for AP/Honors

4 3

2

1

Freshman Year

• PSAT in October

• Aspire in the Spring

• Take AP and SAT Subject Tests after completing courses

• Summer prep for PSAT

3 2

1

Sophomore Year

College Prep Timeline

4

• PSAT in October for National Merit

• Focus on academics—this is the critical year!

• Research admissions requirements for chosen schools

• Prepare for SAT and/or ACT

• Take required SAT Subject Tests

Junior Year

College Prep Timeline

4

3

1 2

• Take SAT and/or ACT for the last time

• Take required SAT Subject Tests

• Request letters of recommendation

• Fill out FAFSA and research scholarships

• Visit schools

4 3

2 1

Senior Year

College Prep Timeline

Prep Smarter, Not Harder.

It’s All About You!

Consider Your…

• Goals

• Timeline

• Schedule

• Learning preference

For more information please call or visit our website.

1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/college

Emily Holland, 201-803-1449, emily.holland@kaplan.com