Transcript SAT vs. ACT - Orinda Aquatics

Testing and Senior
Schedules
PSAT:
Students received results in December
Good diagnostic of strengths and weaknesses
Good guide for SAT preparation
National Merit Qualifying Exam as a junior
SAT or ACT
Required by most colleges
Colleges will use best scores
UC takes best score from ONE sitting
Others may use best individual math, writing,
and critical reading scores from different sittings
for a total highest score
SAT SUBJECT TESTS
UC no longer requires them, but certain
majors may recommend for admission
CSU does not require subject tests
Several colleges may require or strongly
recommend – check policy
Offered in Math, Foreign Language,
History, Literature and Science
SAT vs. ACT
What are the major
differences?
What is the test structure?
SAT: 10 section exam
3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, and one
Experimental. The Experimental section is
masked to look like a regular section & is
unscored
ACT: 4 section exam: English, Math, Reading,
and Science Reasoning. Writing optional
Experimental section added only to certain dates
and is clearly noted.
What is the test content?
SAT
Math: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II.
Reading: Sentence completion, short and long critical
reading passages, reading comprehension.
Writing: Essay, questions testing grammar, usage, and
word choice.
ACT
Math: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Trig
Science: Charts, experiments.
Reading: Reading comprehension, grammar usage.
Writing option - essay
How is the test scored?
SAT: 200-800 per section, added together for a
combined score. 2400 is the highest possible
combined score.
*Penalty for wrong answers
ACT: 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a
composite score. A 36 is the highest possible
composite score.
*No wrong answer penalty
Are all scores sent to schools?
SAT: YES and NO. Score Choice is option.
However, many schools still want all scores
sent. Students need to check individual college
policy.
ACT: NO. There has always been a “Score
Choice” option. Students can choose which
schools will receive their scores AND which
scores the schools will see.
When is each test administered?
SAT
Seven times per year
Offered 4 times per year at each district
school.
ACT
Six times per year
Not offered in our district.
Planning for the exams:
Sign up for exams at www.collegeboard.com or
www.actstudent.org
Plan to take SAT or ACT in spring of junior year.
Plan to take SAT Subject tests in spring of junior
year, if needed.
Additional SAT test dates in October, November
and December of senior year.
ACT in June or September.
Test Preparation
Many different ways to prepare
Best method depends on how student learns
“Independent” learners can prepare very
effectively on their own
Some students may need structure of a specific
program and schedule
Can help with “test anxiety”.
Test Preparation Programs
Individual, small group, and regular
classroom sized courses.
Compare costs; compare programs many to choose from!
Extra workload with homework
How do colleges use these test
scores for Eligibility?
UC uses the SAT or the ACT scores and
GPA in college prep classes
CSU uses just the Math and Reading
scores from SAT or just the composite
score from the ACT, and GPA in college
prep classes
CSU Eligibility Formulas
Using SAT scores:
GPA x 800 + SAT CR + Math total
Using ACT scores:
GPA x 200 + 10 x ACT Composite
Score must be 2900 or above for eligibility
Automatic eligibility if GPA is 3.0 and above.
UC Eligibility
Earn a minimum 3.0 GPA (with grades of C
or better) in 15 courses, with 11 completed
before senior year:
a. History/Social science
b. English
c. Math
d. Lab science
e. Foreign Language
f. Visual/performing arts
g. College prep elective
2 years
4 years
3 years
2 years
2 years
1 year
1 year
SAT or ACT test scores
Does eligibility mean admission?
Distinction between “eligibility” for the system
and “admission” to a specific campus.
Eligibility also assumes students have all a-g
course requirements completed.
The more competitive campuses set different,
higher scores for admission.
Impacted campuses vs. Impacted majors
UC Comprehensive Review
If student meets eligibility requirements,
application will be reviewed
comprehensively, emphasizing academic
achievement as well as a wide range of
personal accomplishments
Student’s chances of admission varies by
selectivity of different campuses – choose
carefully and broadly
Admission Websites:
UC: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions
CSU: www.csumentor.edu
All California colleges:
www.californiacolleges.edu
Many private and other public colleges may use:
www.commonapp.org
Planning Senior
Schedules
An Important Process
Individual student conference (s) with
counselors will begin in February
Opportunity to make sure students have
all graduation and college admission
requirements in place
Strengthen record in elective areas
Make plans to makeup “D” grades
Course requirements for Admission
UC and CSU course requirements are “aligned”.
Both systems use the same a-g list.
Other college course requirements may vary!
Research other college requirements in the next
few months
College/Career Center and college websites are
useful in this process
Make changes in Senior courses if necessary!
Tips for Planning Senior Schedules
Rigor of senior year curriculum is important!
Senior year does count!
Many colleges require transcripts from first
semester senior year.
Colleges expect the same level of achievement
as presented in applications
Final Word on Senior Schedules
Choose courses in academic areas that
will challenge you.
Don’t over schedule!
Take courses that make sense given your
interests and previous experiences.
Do well in those classes!
What should Juniors be doing
for the rest of this year?
January and February
Prepare for Spring SAT or ACT
Sign up for SAT I or ACT at:
www.collegeboard.com
www.actstudent.org
March
Students should have seen their
counselors at least once to discuss senior
schedules and their college planning
process.
Plan Spring Break college visit?
April-May
Attend East Bay College Connection/
College Fair at St. Mary’s College, April 14
Take SAT or ACT
For students applying to private colleges –
Think about teacher recommendations!
Who to ask? How to ask? When to ask
June
Take SAT Subject Tests, if needed
Do well on final exams! These are the last
grades UC will see.
Summer
Visit colleges
Take enrichment classes
Do community service
Pursue a special interest
Attend summer school to make up “D”
grades if necessary.
August
Get organized! Use Naviance to:
Update resume
Complete “Student Statement”
Ask parents to complete “Parent Brag Sheet”
Come up with preliminary college list
Begin work on college essays and add to
“journal section” in Naviance file
September
Check list of college visits in Naviance or the
College & Career Center. Sign up to attend via
Naviance!
Talk with your counselor soon if you think you
might be doing Early Action or Early Decision
Counselors make Senior English Class Visits
and begin to check in with ALL their seniors.
Thank you all for coming this
evening!
Please do not hesitate to contact
your student’s counselor with
individual questions.