[Am I ready for college?]

Clarity W.

IntroductionO There are many post-secondary

education options

O How do you know when you are ready for college?

O How do you get into college?O How can you prepare for college

tests?

When am I ready?O You need to be

regularly attending English 400 or higher.

O Teachers in the community recommend that you are reading above a 9th grade level. This means you need to be taking the TABE D or A test and scoring 567+

When am I ready?O Required :

O High school diploma or GEDO Testing: each school has

individual policies for which tests are needed

O Required skills:O Study independentlyO Dedicate 2-3 hours of time

outside of class for each hour spent in class

O Needed:O Note-taking skillsO Typing skillsO E-mail & Internet basics

O Each school has its own testing policy

O Usually community colleges only require a “placement test” (commonly the ACCUPLACER)

O 4-year schools require an English proficiency test (TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS)

Entrance TestingWhat tests am I required to

take when applying for college?

What do the results mean?

O English Proficiency Tests:O Schools require a certain minimum

score, but each school has its own requirements

O Computer-Based Placement Tests:O There is no “pass” or “fail” for these

tests. However, if you do not score high enough, you will have to take developmental classes that do not count for your degree credit – you will still have to pay for these classes.

What do I do if I’m not happy with my test score?

O Continue to study for free (or much cheaper than college) at a place like Lincoln

O Do more studying outside of class (this is an important skill for college!)

O Retake the test after more preparation

How can I prepare for the test?

O Use the libraryO Test prep books for TOEFL O Free, online practiceO Paper copies of sample ACCUPLACER

tests are available from ClarityO Study other standardized test prep

books (like for the SAT or ACT)

Test Preparation OnlineO Online Practice Test http://wcb.neit.edu/asc/prctctst.htmO Minnesota Literacy Council’s ACCUPLACER preparation site (You

can sign-in as a “guest”) http://online.themlc.org/course/view.php?id=59

O College Board’s ACCUPLACER site http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/index.html

O Study guides collected by Aims College http://www.aims.edu/student/assessment/studyguides/

O ACCUPLACER online review http://www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm

O MCTC’s page about the ACCUPLACER, including “how to prepare” http://www.minneapolis.edu/Admissions/Accuplacer-Placement-Tests

O Prepare for the math section of the ACCUPLACER http://www.accuplacermath.project.mnscu.edu/

O Sample computer-based test http://php.yccd.edu/assessment/sample.html

O Another sample computer-based test http://demo-test.accuplacer-test.com/

O Videos for ACCUPLACER prep http://www.mclennan.edu/students/testing/accuplacer/prep.html

Are you ready?O Do you think you will be ready for

college within the next year?

O If you are preparing for college, would you participate in a study group focused on placement tests?

Questions?If you have additional questions after this session, please see Clarity in office 111. You can make an

appointment or walk in if the door is open.

Also available by e-mail