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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING
MAMARONECK HIGH SCHOOLSEPTEMBER 2015
Jill SteinbergDirector of Business DevelopmentApplerouth [email protected]
Cathy QuackenbushHead of Guidance DeptMamaroneck High School
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How important are the tests?
• Grades in college preparatory classes• Strength of curriculum/academic rigor• Test scores• Essays
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Why are these tests important to admissions?
• Standardized- easy to compare across geographic and demographic lines
• Huge boom in the # of applicants• Efficient way to make big cuts• Moderately useful predictor of success in college
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Today the SAT and ACT are universally accepted
Any college will take either the SAT or ACT without prejudice
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Quick Intro to the Assessments
Aptitude Achievement
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A Quick anatomy of 2 tests
• Abstract• Foreign• Easier to coach • Learn the language of, solve the mysteries of the test
• Concrete• Familiar• Comparatively less coachable • Practice, get more familiar with the test
ACTSAT
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SAT ACTSection Score 200-800 1-36
Total Score 600-2400 1-36
Timing 3h 45m 2h 55m
# of sections 10 short 4 long
Math tricky wording tougher concepts
Grammar required essay optional essay
Reading vocabulary no vocabulary
Science no science science section
Guessing Penalty –0.25 points per no penalty for
missed question missed questions
Basic Differences: SAT vs ACT
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Which test should I try first?• Ideally, take a full-length diagnostic of all
3, to establish baselines (ok to use PSAT). Many places offer for free.
• Three-Step Analysis:– 1. Start with your STRENGTH. If none,– 2. Prep to your PREFERENCE. If still none,– 3. Choose the more STABLE test, the ACT.
• If you are worried about the SAT change, prep for the ACT.
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What about the PSAT?
• Wednesday October 14 (given in school) and
• Saturday February 27
• October PSAT is a preliminary for the NEW SAT
• Prepare only if you are a junior on the cusp of the National Merit Scholarship. Otherwise, the PSAT is practice.
• 2014 National Merit Selection Index for NY: 218Example: 73CR + 73M + 72W=218 (equivalent to 2180 of 2400 on SAT)
This is a very competitive score! Roughly top 0.5% of students in the state will be eligible for scholarship.
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The “new” SAT- March 2016CURRENT SAT
•Reading Comprehension– Vocabulary– Reading passages
•Math– Helpful tips and tricks to work
around problems (pick numbers)•Writing
– Correct separate sentences•Essay
– Factored into Writing score•Guess penalty•No science
NEW SAT•Align with Common Core standards•Reading Comprehension
• vocabulary in context• “Founding documents”
featured in passages•Math
• Less opportunity for tips and tricks
• Higher-level math (pre-calc/trig)
•Writing• Grammar and rhetorical
questions within context of passage
•Essay• Optional; schools may still
require•No penalty for guessing•Science-type questions added to math and verbal sections
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TRENDS
• Super-scoring the SAT and ACT Cherry Picking scores: rewards multiple iterations No prejudice against multiple sittings
• Sending all scores (elite schools only)• Students taking (and sending) both SAT and
ACT
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SAT Subject Tests• Of the 3,000 + US colleges, only roughly 100 use
Subject Tests for admissions • How many to take? check college websites• Timing: May and June are ideal, aligned with APs• Some schools accept the ACT as a replacement
for the SAT+ SAT subject tests:• UC Systems dropped Subject Tests for class of
2012 and beyond. • Proves the point that every school is different: UC says: “You
will not be penalized for failing to take the SAT Subject Tests. On the other hand, submission of these test scores may add positively to the review of your application “
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Suggested Timelines
How do I do the right things at the right time?
Caveat! Each student has his or her own schedule, activities, and requirements to work around. This is a general timeline.
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Sophomore Year Timeline
• Oct: Take the PSAT. It’s practice this year, but if you score high, you’ll probably want to do some prep before next year.
• Feb – May: Take your first mock SAT/ACT exams to determine which test you prefer.
Oct Jan
PSAT
Feb Mar Apr May
First mock SAT/ACT exams
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Juniors: SAT options with SAT change
Fall 2015, 4 tests given before it changes
There is still time
New PSAT for Class of 2017
and 2018
Final Old SAT “Burn your flashcards.”
New SAT released!
October 2015
January 2016
March 2016
November 2015
December 2015
Juniors will straddle the old and new SAT
May 2016
June 2016
Scores for March and May will be held until June, to be used for calibrating the curve
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Juniors: ACT remains constant
September 2015
February 2016
April 2016
October 2015
December 2015
June 2016
ACT administrations
February test is NOT given in New York. Sign
up in CT or NJ
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Junior Year Timeline
• January - February: Register for spring AP exams. Meet with guidance counselor to discuss college list, school visits, explore financial aid/ scholarships/ grants for college. Visit some schools.
• May – June: Take APs, SAT subject tests, ACT, SAT: prep courses as needed.
• June - AugustMake a college list and collect applications Begin applications/essays Set up interviews and college visits
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Senior Year Timeline
• Summer: Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
• August: Strong academic schedule. APs are ideal. Keep grades solid.
• September-NovemberSAT/ACT final push if neededMeet with your guidance counselor for
application advice Finish early applications
October: ED deadlines
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Test Prep at MHS
MOCK TESTS:
SAT – Sept 12, Oct 24
ACT – Nov 21
CLASSES:SAT Class: Begins September 12 DEADLINE TOMORROW!
(Leads up to Nov SAT)
ACT Class: Begins September 26
(Leads up to Dec ACT)
(Sign up info on handout)
