College Entrance Exams – What College Entrance Exams – What You Need to KnowYou Need to Know

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College & Career ReadinessCollege & Career Readiness

What is a college entrance exam?What is a college entrance exam?

A standardized test – compares students A standardized test – compares students across the state, country and internationally.across the state, country and internationally.

Offered on several dates throughout the Offered on several dates throughout the school year (not during summer vacation).school year (not during summer vacation).

Required by most four-year and some two-Required by most four-year and some two-year colleges.year colleges.

Should I plan to take a college Should I plan to take a college entrance exam?entrance exam?

Yes… if you plan to apply to a four-year Yes… if you plan to apply to a four-year college.college.

Yes… if you plan to apply to select two-Yes… if you plan to apply to select two-year colleges.year colleges.

Maybe… if you plan to apply ONLY to Maybe… if you plan to apply ONLY to community colleges that do not require community colleges that do not require college entrance exams for admission.college entrance exams for admission.

No… if you do not plan to attend college.No… if you do not plan to attend college.

How many college entrance How many college entrance exams are there?exams are there?

There areThere are 2 2 exams - exams -

thethe ACT ACT andand thethe SAT SAT

Which exam should I take?Which exam should I take?

Take both exams.Take both exams.Why?Why?Most colleges will accept the higher score Most colleges will accept the higher score from either exam.from either exam.The two tests are significantly different.The two tests are significantly different.

What are the differences?What are the differences?

ACTACTIncludes 1 section each of: Includes 1 section each of:

EnglishEnglish

MathematicsMathematics

ReadingReading

ScienceScience

Writing (optional)Writing (optional)

SATSATIncludes 2 sections each of:Includes 2 sections each of:

Critical ReadingCritical Reading

MathematicsMathematics

Includes 1 section of:Includes 1 section of:

WritingWriting

When should I take a college When should I take a college entrance exam?entrance exam?

Before the end of your junior year.Before the end of your junior year.

Again, if needed, at the beginning of your Again, if needed, at the beginning of your senior year. senior year.

G. Ray Bodley High School is a test center G. Ray Bodley High School is a test center for ACTs in June, October and December; for ACTs in June, October and December; for SATs in June and December.for SATs in June and December.

Is there a cost? Yes!Is there a cost? Yes!

Registration Fee: Both exams require a Registration Fee: Both exams require a registration fee to sign up.registration fee to sign up.

Late Fees: Deadlines are strictly enforced, Late Fees: Deadlines are strictly enforced, and late fees are substantial.and late fees are substantial.

Change Fees: Any change (date, location, Change Fees: Any change (date, location, etc.) to the original registration incurs a fee.etc.) to the original registration incurs a fee.

Fee Waivers: Students who meet certain Fee Waivers: Students who meet certain income guidelines may be eligible for a fee income guidelines may be eligible for a fee waiver to take the exam at no cost to them.waiver to take the exam at no cost to them.

How do I register for a college How do I register for a college entrance exam?entrance exam?

Online: Both testing agencies recommend Online: Both testing agencies recommend online registration.online registration.

Link through us: Link to both exams Link through us: Link to both exams through the GRB Guidance website.through the GRB Guidance website.

Go directly to the College Board or ACT Go directly to the College Board or ACT websites.websites.

Can I get test accommodations if Can I get test accommodations if I have an IEP?I have an IEP?

Students with an Individual Education Plan Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may get test accommodations.(IEP) may get test accommodations.

Approval must first be granted by the Approval must first be granted by the testing agency.testing agency.

A request for approval must be submitted A request for approval must be submitted well in advance of the testing date. See well in advance of the testing date. See Mrs. Hallatt or your Program Service Mrs. Hallatt or your Program Service Provider.Provider.

Should I take the ACT “Plus Should I take the ACT “Plus Writing?”Writing?”

The ACT exam offers two options: “no The ACT exam offers two options: “no writing” and “plus writing.”writing” and “plus writing.”

Take the ACT “plus writing” Take the ACT “plus writing” if it is the onlyif it is the only college entrance exam you are taking.college entrance exam you are taking.

Take the ACT “no writing” Take the ACT “no writing” if you will be if you will be taking the bothtaking the both the ACT and the SAT. the ACT and the SAT.

The SAT Reasoning Test has a mandatory The SAT Reasoning Test has a mandatory writing section, so colleges will have a writing section, so colleges will have a writing sample from that exam.writing sample from that exam.

SAT Reasoning Test or the SAT SAT Reasoning Test or the SAT Subject Tests – which one?Subject Tests – which one?

Take the SAT Reasoning Test – it is the test Take the SAT Reasoning Test – it is the test most colleges will use to determine most colleges will use to determine acceptance.acceptance.

SAT Subject Tests are required by some SAT Subject Tests are required by some elite colleges and universities.elite colleges and universities.

Subject tests are one hour long tests in Subject tests are one hour long tests in specific subjects such as history or biology.specific subjects such as history or biology.

If your college requires Subject Tests, you If your college requires Subject Tests, you must also take the SAT Reasoning Test.must also take the SAT Reasoning Test.

What should I do to prepare for What should I do to prepare for the exams?the exams?

Choose challenging course work each year in Choose challenging course work each year in high school.high school.

Work continuously to improve reading, writing Work continuously to improve reading, writing and math skills.and math skills.

Use free online sources to become familiar Use free online sources to become familiar with the test directions, test format and the with the test directions, test format and the types of questions asked.types of questions asked.

Take timed practice tests.Take timed practice tests. Take advantage of test prep options.Take advantage of test prep options.

Test Day - What to remember…Test Day - What to remember…

Current Photo ID – REQUIREDCurrent Photo ID – REQUIRED Admission ticket with photo - REQUIRED.Admission ticket with photo - REQUIRED. An approved calculator with fresh batteries.An approved calculator with fresh batteries. Two, no. 2 lead pencils and a soft eraser.Two, no. 2 lead pencils and a soft eraser. If you bring a cell phone, turn it off and put it If you bring a cell phone, turn it off and put it

away – use of your cell may result in dismissal.away – use of your cell may result in dismissal. Get a good night’s rest and eat a normal breakfast Get a good night’s rest and eat a normal breakfast

before testing.before testing. Arrive Arrive at leastat least 15 minutes early. 15 minutes early.

What your photo should look likeWhat your photo should look like

Once I take the exams, how do Once I take the exams, how do colleges get my scores?colleges get my scores?

2 ways:2 ways:First, when you register, you can send your score First, when you register, you can send your score results to 4 colleges or universities for no additional results to 4 colleges or universities for no additional cost – it’s included with your registration fee! You cost – it’s included with your registration fee! You will pay to send scores later.will pay to send scores later.Second, when you register, indicate that GRB is Second, when you register, indicate that GRB is your home school by filling in the appropriate code your home school by filling in the appropriate code number. Your scores will be added to your number. Your scores will be added to your transcript which many colleges will treat as transcript which many colleges will treat as “official.”“official.”

What should I do when I leave What should I do when I leave today?today?

Select the exam(s) you will be taking, Select the exam(s) you will be taking, including and the date(s) and location(s) including and the date(s) and location(s) where you want to take the exams.where you want to take the exams.

Check your calendar so there are no Check your calendar so there are no conflicts with other important dates.conflicts with other important dates.

Register online.Register online. Print your admission ticket.Print your admission ticket. Prepare for the exam.Prepare for the exam.

Dates, Deadlines and CostsDates, Deadlines and CostsExamExam Exam DateExam Date DeadlineDeadline CostCost

ACT @ GRBACT @ GRB June 13June 13 May 8May 8 $38.00 No $38.00 No WritingWriting

$54.50 Plus $54.50 Plus Writing Writing

SAT @ GRBSAT @ GRB June 6June 6 May 8May 8 $52.50$52.50

SAT @ a testing SAT @ a testing site other than site other than GRBGRB

May 2May 2 Apr 6Apr 6 $52.50$52.50

What if I get stuck or have What if I get stuck or have questions?questions?

Your school counselor stands ready to assist Your school counselor stands ready to assist you.you.