College Admissions Testing

Erikka GoffDirector

Georgetown Learning Centers

This evening we will discuss...

Testing Timeline

SAT vs. ACT

Q&A

10th grade: Take the PSAT on Oct. 15th. 11th grade: Take the PSAT on Oct. 15th.

Decide to take SAT or ACT. Sign up for SAT Subject Tests if needed.

12th grade: Retake the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests in early Fall (Sept. or Oct.)

Testing Timeline

SAT and SAT Subject Test Dates

ACT Test Dates

October 11, 2014 September 13, 2014

November 8, 2014 October 25, 2014

December 6, 2014 December 13, 2014

January 24, 2015 February 7, 2015

March 14, 2015 (SAT only) April 18, 2015

May 2, 2015 June 13, 2015

June 6, 2015

SAT & ACT 2014-2015: Test Dates

Courses: Think about your course load. Try to pick a time when you won’t be overwhelmed. Juniors in Alg. 2 should take March test date or later.

Sports: Playing any sports this year? Consider how practice/games might conflict with test prep and the test date.

AP Exams: AP’s are the first two weeks of May. If you are taking a lot of AP’s, the May SAT date might not be the best fit.

SAT Subject Tests: It’s usually a good idea to take these in May or June of your junior year.

When to Take the Test

SAT vs. ACT: OverviewSAT ACT

Ten sections Four sections with optional fifth writing section

3 hours, 45 minutes 2 hours, 55 minutes (without writing)3 hours, 25 minutes (with writing)

Each section graded from 200-800.Total score out of 2400.

Each section graded out of 36 possible points. Overall average (composite) score is out of 36 points.

Math, Critical Reading, and Writing

Math, Reading, Science, English, and Writing**optional

SAT ACT

Correct Answers: 1 point 1 point

Incorrect Answers: ¼ point subtracted from score

No penalty for incorrect answers

Scoring: Each section from 200-800. Total test out of 2400.

Each section from 1-36. Total test composite score from 1-36.

Average scores: Math 515Critical Reading 502Writing 494Overall: 1511

Math: 21Reading: 21.5English: 20.7Science: 21Composite: 21.1

SAT vs. ACT: Scoring

SAT ACT

Math: •Three sections (20-25 min. each)•Covers concepts through Algebra 2

•One 60-minute section•Covers concepts through Trig

Critical Reading:

•Three sections (20-25 min. each)•Reading comprehension and sentence completion

•One 35-minute section •Reading comprehension only

SAT vs. ACT: Content

SAT ACT

English: •Two sections (one 10-minute and one 25-minute)•Tests a wide variety of grammatical errors

•One 45-minute section•Tests grammar, punctuation, and syntax

Science: N/A •One 35-minute section.•Tests interpretive, analytical and problem solving skills•Does not test prior scientific knowledge

SAT vs. ACT: Content (cont.)

SAT ACT

Essay: •One 25-minute essay

•First section of test

•Tests the student’s skills at forming a written argument

•One 30-minute section (optional)

•Last section of test

•Tests the student’s skills at forming a written argument, usually related to a school or education topic

•Essay is technically optional but YOU SHOULD DO THE ESSAY!

SAT v. ACT: Essay

SAT ACT

Guessing: Educated guessing Guess!

Content: •Reasoning and test-taking ability•Typically better for students who are weaker in science

•Content based•Often good for students who are strong in science

Timing: •Several short sections•Generally better for students who struggle with pacing

•Few longer sections•More questions per minute, good for students who work quickly

Strategy and Picking the Right Test

Which format feels right? How long can you sit without fidgeting? Overachiever or underachiever? Girl or boy? Which do you think you’ll do better on?

Picking the Right Test

Rigorous academic courses Extensive, quality outside reading and/or

writing Follow the advice in My SAT Study Plan in

My College QuickStart after the PSAT Take a practice test and become more

familiar with test directions, types of questions, and pacing

How can my student improve his/her score?

Take a free SAT vs. ACT practice test at Georgetown Learning Centers.

Pick a test date, keeping AP’s, course load, sports, etc. in mind.

Register at www.collegeboard.org or www.actstudent.org

Study!

What’s next?