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The ABC’s about the SAT….
And what about the ACT?
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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!
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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.
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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!!)
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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)
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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
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SAT and ACT
Let’s look at a “pre-assessment”
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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
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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
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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
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ACT and SAT
4. Assesses content from Algebra II
ACT SAT
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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
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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
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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
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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
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ACT and SAT
9. Assesses science reasoning
ACT Science
Readings, charts, experiments
Subjects: Biology Chemistry Earth/Space Sciences Physics
ACT
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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
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ACT and SAT
11. Essay requires student to take a position
Sample prompts attached to back of packet.
ACT SAT
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ACT and SAT
12. Includes student-response (grid-in) math questions
SAT
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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
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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
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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”
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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
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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
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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:
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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A standardized test is only one key to open up the many doors
to your future…….