Career and College Standardized Testing

Objectives

Objectives: Students will acquire knowledge regarding

the proper preparation that is essential in choosing from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.

Students will be provided with information

and materials that will enable them to employ strategies to achieve future career success and satisfaction.

PA Career Education and Work Standards 13.1.11.B, C, F ASCA National Standards I.B, II.A

Starting at the Beginning …with YOU!

Each of you are individuals with your own thoughts, goals, and dreams. It is now time to consider some very big questions such as: •  What are your personal goals? •  What steps are needed to reach these? •  What tests might you need to take to gain

admittance into this options?

Post Secondary Choices: The Options

After graduation, you will have many options to consider. Think about your goals and what you need to reach them.

•  College/University •  Community College •  Vocational, Technical, or Career

Training (including apprenticeships/internships)

•  Armed Services •  Entering the Work Force

Hint: Each of these will likely to have a required

standardized test of some sort.

Standardized Tests for the World of Work

Even if you are going right to the world of work after high school, you may be asked to take some tests. Be sure to be ready in case you have to take: •  Math competency tests (often used to measure

readiness for a cash register) •  Reading tests (can be used to measure ability to

follow directions) •  Drug tests (used to ensure safe work environments)

Standardized Tests for the Union Employment

If you are interested in a trade, be sure to be ready in case you have to take: •  Math competency tests (often used to measure

readiness for medicine doses, measurements of liquid, and angles)

•  Reading tests (can be used to measure ability to read plans, directions, instructions, or schematics)

•  Drug tests (used to ensure safe work environments)

Sometimes the person who gets the highest scores gets the jobs and those with lower scores do not!

•  The SAT and ACT are globally recognized college admission tests that let you show colleges, including community colleges, what you know and how well you can apply that knowledge.

•  Most students take the SAT or ACT during the spring of their junior or fall of their senior year of high school

•  Almost all colleges and universities accept either the SAT or ACT to make admission decisions.

•  The SAT and ACT scores are one of the most important factors that colleges consider when making their admission decisions. Data indicates that combination of high school grades and SAT/ACT scores is the best predictor of your academic success in college.

Standardized Tests for Formal Post-Secondary Study (College)

Practicing with the PSAT

The PSAT is practice for the SAT. Try to think of the PSAT score reports as a roadmap. Its shows where you’re doing well and what you should work on . •  Get summaries of your performance on each test and

content area •  Filter results to see how you performed on specific

questions •  Percentiles help show you how you did compared to

your peers and how you might align with admissions criteria at post-secondary schools

Your PSAT Report

There is a lot of information on your score report. Let’s examine it in detail with the help of this video. Interpreting Your Score Report video

How To Improve Your Scores

Your PSAT score report can help to create an individualized plan that has you work on what YOU need to work on. Linking Your PSAT score report to Khan Academy

“New” SAT showcases in March

•  The redesigned SAT will feature 2 required sections – Evidence-Based Reading & Writing AND Math and will be scored on a 400 to 1600 point scale. –  Scores for each section will be reported separately and will each be

scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. •  Another important change is the move to rights-only scoring:

There will no longer be a penalty for wrong answers. •  They will also introduce an enriched score report that provides

more insight into students’ strengths and areas for improvement, helping teachers and students focus.

•  Register online at www.collegeboard.com.

New Optional Essay

•  The Essay section will no longer be required by the College Board. However, many colleges may still require students to complete the Essay.

•  The editing work students do in the multiple-choice Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section is deeply predictive of college success.

•  Feedback from college admission officers was split; some of them found the essay useful while many did not.

When in doubt, give it a shot! Don’t close any doors.

Summary of the Changes

SAT Subject Tests

SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)

•  Subject tests fall into 5 general subject areas: English, History/Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and Languages.

•  Measure your knowledge and skills as well as your ability to apply that knowledge.

•  Some colleges specify the subject tests they require for admissions or placement; others allow applicants to choose which to take.

•  All subject tests are one hour-multiple choice formats, however, some tests have unique formats.

•  Students should find out if the school to which he/she is applying requires subject tests for admissions, how many tests, and what subject areas are required.

SAT I & II Registration Fees

•  SAT I (no essay) $43 •  SAT I (w/ essay) $54.50 •  Late registration add $28 •  Change test/date/center fee add $28 •  Waitlist fee add $46 •  SAT II Subject Tests:

–  Basic Subject Test fee $26 –  Language Test with Listening add $26 –  All other Subject Tests add $18 each

New SAT Prep

•  What’s the best way for students to prepare for the redesigned SAT? –  Rigorous course work will be, more than ever, the best

preparation for the SAT. –  As test day approaches, students can use free College

Board resources to get to know the exam and to build on their preparation with targeted review and authentic practice.

Standardized Testing: ACT

The ACT) is another standardized test that institutions also use for admissions purposes. ACT is a test of knowledge, similar to your chapter tests. If we were in the middle of the USA, we would be talking about the ACT first instead of the SAT! Students register at www.actstudent.org.

It differs from the SAT in the following ways: •  4 sections on the ACT (Science is #4) •  Scores range from 1-36. (A 36 is equal to a 2400 SAT.) •  The way to “study” for the ACTs is to do your best in your

classes at NH. The ACT is similar to mid-term or final exams that you would take at school here.

ACT Format

ACT Prep

ACT Registration Fees

•  ACT (no writing) $39.50 •  ACT (w/ writing) $56.50 •  Late registration add $25 •  Standby add $49 •  Test date change $24 •  Test center change $24 •  Score reports for colleges 5 and 6 $12.50

Test Dates Test Month Registration Deadline ACT September Mid-August SAT-I and II October Early September ACT October Mid September SAT-I and II November Early October ACT December Early November SAT-I and II December Early November SAT-I and II January Late December ACT February Late December SAT-I March Early February ACT April Early March SAT-I and II May Early April ACT June Early May SAT-I and II June Early May

Offered at North Hills

Questions

No matter what path you pursue, it is likely that you may have to take a standardized test of some sort. Let us please answer your questions a this time.