Transcript Standardized Testing - St.Mary's Parish Annapolis

Standardized Testing
PRESENTED BY:
MRS. MEGAN BOWERS
MR. MICHAEL STALLINGS
MRS. RACHEL STECHSCHULTE
JANUARY 10, 2015
Agenda
 Understanding PSAT Scores
 SAT Information
 ACT Information
 SAT Subject Tests
 AP Testing
 Prep Programs
 Frequently Asked Questions
SAT Test Structure
 Ten sections
 Three Critical Reading
 Three Math
 Three Writing (essay is at beginning of exam, 25 minutes to
complete)
 One Experimental
SAT Test Content
 Reading

 Math
◦
Up to basic geometry and
algebra II
Sentence completion;
short and long critical
reading passages; reading
comprehension
 Writing

An Essay, questions
testing grammar, usage
and word choice
SAT Scoring
 200-800 for each subject, added together for a combined
score-2400 is the highest possible combined score.
 Essay- two graders each assign a score 1-6. Scores are
then added together for a final score of 2-12.
 There is a penalty for wrong answers.
 Unless you enroll in Score Choice, all of your scores will
be reported to colleges.
Redesigned SAT
 Key Changes in content
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
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



Relevant words in context
Command of evidence
Essay analyzing a source
Math focused on three key
areas
Problems grounded in
real-world context
Analysis in science and
social studies
Founding documents
 Key changes in scoring

Scored out of 1600 point
2 sections Critical reading
and Math
 Optional Writing section


No wrong answer penalty
Redesigned Timeline
 Practice problems available- January, 2015
 Full practice test available - March, 2015
 Free study tools through The Khan Academy- May,
2015.
 Last test date with the current SAT- January, 2016
 First redesigned test- March, 2016
 First redesigned test scores returned- May, 2016
Which scores will a college use?
SAT Scores From
Student B
SAT Scores From
Student A
Date
(Jr) April
CR
M
600 650
W
500
Date
(Jr) April
CR
M
700 750
W
730
(Jr) June
580 700
500
(Jr) June
700 780 700
(Sr) October
600 680
550
(Sr) October
720 760 700
SAT Dates
 January
 March
 May
 June
 October
 November
 December
Take the SAT at least once
during spring or
summer of Junior year
Cost $50
Register min. 4 weeks
ahead of test date.
*We do not recommend
taking the SAT before
Spring of Junior Year
ACT Test Structure
 Four Test Exams
 English
 Math
 Reading
 Science Reasoning
 An optional Writing Test (at end of exam, time limit is 30
minutes.)
ACT Test Content
 Math


Arithmetic, Algebra,
Geometry,
Trigonometry
 Science

Charts, graphs,
experiments
 Reading

Four passages, one each
of prose fiction, social
science, humanities, and
natural sciences
 English

Grammar, usage,
punctuation, sentence
structure
 Writing

Essay (optional)
ACT Scoring
 1-36 for each test, averaged together for a composite
score- 36 is the highest possible composite score.
 Essay- two graders each assign a score 1-6. Scores are
then added together for a final score of 2-12.
 There is no penalty for wrong answers.
 You can choose which composite scores get sent to
colleges.
ACT Dates
 February
 April*
 June*
 September
 October
 December
Junior Year is the optimal
year to take the test.
Cost $35 (no writing)
$50.50 (writing)
Register min. 3 weeks
ahead of test date.
SAT Subject Tests
 One hour long content
 Literature
based tests that are give
students an opportunity
to highlight their
academic background
and interests in a
specific subject.
 Cost $23
 Recommend student
take as soon as
completed the course.
 Biology
 Chemistry
 Physics
 Mathematics I – II
 U.S. History
 World History
 Languages-French,
Spanish, German,
Hebrew, Latin, Italian
AP Tests
 AP provides students the
 AP tests are mandatory
opportunity to study and
learn at the college level.
for any SMHS students
who take the course.
 To take an AP course at
 AP tests can be taken in a
SMHS, students must
meet specific criteria.
subject even without
having taken the course.
AP Test, cont.
 27.9% of Maryland residents scored a 3+ on an AP
Exam in High School
 An overwhelming majority of students who apply to
selective colleges take at least 1 AP Class and score a
3 or better on the exam, 75% of Georgetown
Freshman use at least 1 AP Exam Score to validate a
class.
 BUT, just taking an AP Class is not more important
than the grade.
Prep Programs
 Dr. Gagnon- Two Day Course, approximate cost
$225, SHMS
 Kaplan- Two days a week (Tues/Sat) for multiple
weeks $599, SMHS
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We offer an ACT/ SAT combination practice test in November.
 E-Academy- Online course over several weeks,
approximate cost $350
 Princeton Review- similar to Kaplan but not offered
at SMHS.
Frequently Asked Questions
 What is a good score on the SAT/ACT?
 National SAT average- CR- 498, Math-514, Writing- 488
University of Maryland- 50%, 1260-140 (CR and Math),
 Georgetown University- 50%, CR- 700-770, Math-690-770
 Towson- 50% 1600 (CR, Math, Writing)


Maryland ACT average- 22
University of Maryland- 50%, 28-32
 Georgetown University- 50%, 31
 Towson- 50%, 23

FAQs, cont.
Which test should I take?
Can I choose which scores
are sent?
 ACT is a test on “what
 Not always. Some
you know” and SAT is a
test on “how you think”
 Take the combination
test or take a practice
test in each area.
Which test do you feel
most comfortable with?
colleges, like
Georgetown, require
ALL SAT scores to be
sent as part of your
application. Check
with the college that
you are applying to for
their policy.
FAQs, cont.
Are standardized test the
most important part of my
application?
I can’t afford test prep
 No! Grades are the
 Buy an ACT/ SAT
most important part.


If you are worried about
doing well, practice,
practice, practice.
Focus on developing an
academic interest or a
talent that shows who you
are outside the classroom
practice book (usually
about $30).
 Use the free resources
on The Khan Academy
website
 Look at Fair Test
Colleges