the abc’s about the sat…. and what about the act? · writing strategy, organization, style ......

The ABC’s about the SAT….

And what about the ACT?

Welcome and Introductions

Ms. Colleen Desmond, B-CC Resource Counselor

Ms. Tammy Mayo-Blake, B-CC Counselor

*Thank you to the PTSA and CAC for organizing this event!

OutcomesBy the end of the meeting participants will have:

Deepened their understanding of the format and content of the ACT, SAT, and Accuplacer assessments.

Received tools for helping students match their college readiness test of best fit.

A little SAT history…..

First SAT developed in 1901 as a means of determining intelligence

SAT originally stood for “Scholastic Achievement Test”

In 1941, College Board changed name to “Scholastic Aptitude Test”

In 1994, the test mean was re-centered and test re-named to simply SAT (SAT doesn’t stand for anything!!)

SAT History continued…..

In 2005, SAT was modified with new writing section, including an essay

Added extended reading and math section

No more analogies – replaced with sentence completion to test knowledge of vocabulary in context.

Highest score went from 1600 to 2400 (includes 800 on reading, math, writing)

ACT History ….

First administered in 1959Used to be more popular in mid-West

but now taken by students in all states Accepted by all collegesCurriculum based – directly related to

what students learn in school

SAT and ACT

Let’s look at a “pre-assessment”

ACT and SAT

1. Content based on nation-wide HS curriculum survey

ACT “measures academic achievement in the areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science.”

SAT “measures critical reading, writing, and mathematical reasoningskills.”

ACT

ACT and SAT

2. Highest Score is 36

ACT One point for every correct

item Each section converted to a

36-point scale

* Highest score possible for SAT is 2400, 800 points per section (reading, math, writing)

ACT

ACT and SAT

3. 10 sections ACT – 4 sections English, Math, Reading,

Science Reasoning

SAT – 10 sections Critical Reading (3), Writing

(3), Math (3), Experimental (1)

SAT

ACT and SAT

4. Assesses content from Algebra II

ACT SAT

ACT and SAT

5. Assesses content from Pre Calculus

ACT Math

Includes trigonometry

Pre-AlgebraElementary AlgebraIntermediate AlgebraCoordinate Geometry

Plane GeometryTrigonometry

1st Quarter,

Pre Calculus

ACT

ACT and SAT

6. Assesses grammar

ACT English Usage/Mechanics

Punctuation, grammar & usage, sentence structure

Rhetorical Skills Writing strategy,

organization, style SAT Writing

Grammar Usage Word choice Essay

ACT SAT

ACT and SAT

7. Reading Section consists of four 1-1½ page passages

ACT Reading (35 minutes) Reading comprehension Four passages

Social science, humanities, prose fiction, and natural sciences

SAT Critical Reading (aka verbal) (70 minutes) Reading comprehension Sentence completion Short and long passages

ACT

ACT and SAT

8. Directly assesses vocabulary in context

SAT Vocabulary directly assessed

in critical reading section

ACT Vocabulary is not directly

assessed, but aids reading comprehension SAT

ACT and SAT

9. Assesses science reasoning

ACT Science

Readings, charts, experiments

Subjects: Biology Chemistry Earth/Space Sciences Physics

ACT

ACT and SAT

10. Essay is required

ACT – Optional essay Topics “intended to reflect the

interests and experiences of HS students”

SAT – Essay Range of topics include

literature, art, sports, politics, technology, science, history, current events

SAT

ACT and SAT

11. Essay requires student to take a position

Sample prompts attached to back of packet.

ACT SAT

ACT and SAT

12. Includes student-response (grid-in) math questions

SAT

ACT and SAT

13. ¼ point deduction for each incorrect answer

This is known as the “penalty for guessing.” It is designed on the SAT to discourage random guessing.

On SAT, students receive a 0 point deduction for blank answers.

SAT

The SAT might be the test of best fit if…..o You did great on the PSAT.o You have a killer vocabulary. (You are

comfortable with words like "didactic," "sedulous," and "esoteric.")

o You prefer starts and stops when taking tests. There are nine sections and an essay on the SAT. (Total test time = 3 hrs. 45 min.

o You can ace grammar. For example, you are comfortable with the sentence, "On the table, there ARE a pencil and some paper.“

o You consider yourself "quick-thinking." o You enjoy brain teasers and are good at

reasoning and logic. o You don’t have to study to pass tests.o You are strong in math – 1/3 of test

The ACT might be the test of best fit if…..o Your PSAT or SAT score is inconsistent with your

academic performance in school.o Your vocabulary is not as strong as your reading. o You read relatively quickly.o You are more academic than test savvy. (The ACT

test is more like a test you would take in school.)o You prefer four longer sections (English, Math,

Reading, and Science) to having interruptions and breaks during the test. (Total test time = 2 hrs. 55 min.)

o You are great at writing papers but do not have formal grammar instruction.

o You are “book smart”

SAT Subject TestsRequired by some colleges – check

each college’s website Subject tests cover knowledge of

material in areas including science, history, literature, advanced math, foreign languages

Each test graded on 800 point scaleOne hour in length ACT can sometimes substitute for SAT

subject tests – again, check with college

SAT Test Dates:Date Regular Registration DeadlineNovember 3, 2012 October 4, 2012December 1, 2012 November 1, 2012January 26, 2013 December 28, 2012March 9, 2013 February 8, 2013May 4, 2013 April 5, 2013June 1, 2013 May 2, 2013

ACT Test Dates:Date Regular Registration DeadlineDecember 8, 2012 November 2, 2012February 9, 2013 January 11, 2013April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013

**B-CC High School Code: 210-250

o Full-lengthpractice ACT test offered by B-CC PTSA/CAC on November 17th in B-CC cafeteriao Follow-upsession: Dec. 4th

o Full-length practice SAT test offered by B-CC PTSA/CAC on January 5th in

B-CC cafeteriao Follow-up

session: Jan. 12th

Test Prep and Practice:

Accuplacer A computer adaptive placement test

Questions given are based on previous answers

Test is not timedOffered at B-CC and at Montgomery

College: Students who do not earn a 550 on each

section of the SAT or 24 on the ACT must take the Accuplacer for course placement.

Used at MD community colleges and a very limited number of 4-year schools

Students with a disability

Must apply through College Board or ACT testing service for accommodations

Can now apply on-line or download forms

Can take up to 3 months to process

Online Resources ACT

ACT site http://www.act.org

SAT College Board site http:www.collegeboard.com

Accuplacer College Board site for students:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/index.html

Montgomery College: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/AssessCtr/assessment-placement.html

There are some colleges that don’t require a standardized test for admission. Go to www.Fairtest.org to see a list of these colleges

So what do colleges look for in a student?

1) Types of courses student takes in high school -rigorous courses are important (Honors, AP, IB)

2) Grades in these courses

3) SAT/ACT scores

4) Activities in which a student is involved

5) Essay

6) Recommendations

A standardized test is only one key to open up the many doors

to your future…….