Transcript slides

TEST
PREPARATION
1
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
The Facts
For many colleges test scores are still
the most important criterion following
coursework and GPA and/or rank.
 Rankings and the competition
 Socioeconomic variance in scores
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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DOES TEST PREPARATION WORK?
• Test prep is similar to music and sports; if
you learn the basics and you practice,
your performance will reflect it.
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Goals of this Session
Create low cost prep options
 Enhance test awareness
 Share personal resources
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Important Steps!
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Understand the game!
Assuage test anxiety
Examine earlier tests
Conduct a personal item analysis
Develop personal strategies
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Important Questions!
 What are the four strategies that work
best?
 How do I become a well-informed
consumer?
 Should I take both college entrance tests?
 How do I determine which test is my test
of strength?
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Key Ingredients!
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Sleep
Proper Nutrition
Repetition
Strategy
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The Game
• Limitations
• The 99% rule
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Individual Preparation
Choose your test of strength
Utilize the handouts
Design your own program
Use real practice tests
Buy back your test
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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The Best Test Preparation
 Knowing the test
 Extensive subject review
 Subject specific strategies
 Identifying proper subject timing
 Pacing drills
 Score selection
 Guessing strategies
 The process of elimination
 Prioritization of questions
 Practice, practice, practice……
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Differences Between the SAT and ACT
SAT
ACT
 Essay section is required.
 Essay section is optional.
 Students can choose
which scores the schools
see.
 Students can choose
which scores the schools
see.
 There is a penalty for
most wrong answers.
 There is no penalty for
wrong answers.
 Tests math, reading,
vocabulary and writing.
 Includes a Science
section.
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Determining Your Test of Strength
Concordance Table:
• http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/
Sample Tests:
•
act.org, collegeboard.com, etc.
The PLAN versus the PSAT
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Early Testing
• PLAN
• PSAT
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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ACT
Module 1
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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History
• ACT
• Test Prep
• Recent Changes
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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THE ACT
 A curriculum-based test consisting of real
English, real math that includes arithmetic
through trigonometry, reading comprehension,
science (basically reading as well) and an
essay
 What it measures
 Subtle changes since 1989
 The optional writing
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Actual Test Questions
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ACT.org
The Real ACT Prep Guide
Preparing for the ACT
Retired ACT Sample Test Booklets
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Score Reporting
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1-36 for each subtest and the composite
Round up
Highest composite
Supertest option
FERPA
• Common application
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Score Selection
SAT
2390
2000
1820
1470
SAT I (V+M)
1600
1340
1220
990
ACT
36
30
27
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GPA
4.0+
4.0
3.6
2.8
http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/index.html
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Next Steps
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Conduct a personal item analysis
Identify patterns
Perform an extensive subject review
Develop basic strategies
Avoid overtesting!
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Subject Review
• English: grammar, sentence structure,
punctuation, usage, strategy, organization and
style.
• Math: arithmetic, algebra, geometry and
trigonometry.
• Reading: prose fiction, humanities, social studies
and natural science.
• Science: interpretation, analysis, evaluation,
reasoning, and problem-solving.
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Subject Timing & Pacing
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English
Math
Reading
Science
Essay
45 minutes
60 minutes
35 minutes
35 minutes
30 minutes
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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English Review
Mechanics/Usage
• Accurate, Concise, and Short
• Punctuation!
Rhetorical Skills
• Read less!
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
To make her point and back up her claim, she
asked me if I knew what“Machiavellian”
meant.
(A) No Change
(B) point by backing it up,
(C) point in backing up her claim,
(D) point,
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
Punctuation
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: (colon) list or more to come
; (semi-colon) is less then or equal to a . (period)
, (comma) is less then or equal to a – (dash)
it’s, its’, or its
boy’s, girls’
appositives using – (dash) and , (comma)
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
Everything was created by local talent, including
the robot guarding the exhibits.
(A) talent, including
(B) talent. Including
(C) talent; including
(D) talent, this list included
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Math Facts
Prohibited Calculators
• http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answer
s/calculator.html
Math Downloads
• http://education.ti.com/educationporta
l/downloadcenter/SoftwareList.do?we
bsite=US&tabId=1&paneId=2
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Math Review
• http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/de
scriptions/mathdescript.html
• https://secure.collegeincolorado.org/C
ollege_Planning/Test_Prep/_default.a
spx
• http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/de
scriptions/mathdescript.html
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
Rachel must finish a sculpture by Thursday. If she
completes one-half of the sculpture on Tuesday and onequarter of what’s left on Wednesday, how much does
she still have to sculpt to complete the sculpture on
time?
(A) 1/8
(B) 1/4
(C) 3/8
(D) 1/2
(E) 9/16
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Reading Overview
Four Basic Types:
• Social Studies
• Science
• Arts
• Literature
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
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Prioritization
Timing
Scoring implications
Key words
Use basic conventions of good
writing
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
Passage IV
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from the article “How to Build a Baby’s Brain” by Sharon
Begley (©1997 by Newsweek, Inc.). In this selection, the term neuron refers to a specialized cell of the
nervous system, and tomography refers to a method of producing three-dimensional images of internal
structures.
You cannot see what is going on inside your new-born’s brain.
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That furious pace continues for the child’s first decade of life.
1. The main point of this passage is to:
A. illustrate the importance of genetics in the formation of a baby’s brain.
B. illustrate the importance of stimulation and experience in the formation of a baby’s brain.
C.I indicate the great need for conducting further research on babies’ brains.
D. compare the latest research on babies’ brains with similar research conducted fifteen years ago.
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Science Overview
Three Basic Types:
• Data Representation
• Experimental Review
• Alternative Viewpoints
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
• No subject review necessary
• Identify trends & labels in charts,
graphs and tables
• Read less text & utilize key words
• Practice your timing
• Know the scoring implications
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Passage II
Table 4
Trial
Temperature Time
(sec)
(°C)
Distance of
ring from
HCl swab (c
m)
1
2
3
4
20
30
40
50
4.0
4.1
4.1
4.0
33
30
26
23
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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A.
B.
C.
D.
Based on the results of Experiment 4, which of the following graphs best
shows the relationship between the temperature and the distance of the ring
from the HCl swab?
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Writing Review
Writing test prompt: The College Board
was developed to help students get a good
college education. Do you agree or disagree?
In your essay, take a position on this question.
You specific reasons and examples to support
your position.
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Strategies
• Make an outline
• Use up all the lined paper
• 4 or 5 paragraph approach
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Guessing
23. (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 24. (F) (G) (H) (J) (K)
25. (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) +
26. (F) (G) (H) (J) (K)
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Guessing
There is no penalty for
wrong answers!
Skip questions that are
taking too much time.
Use a guessing strategy.
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Friday Prep
Identification
Scout the location
Pencils
Calculator
Gas
Sleep
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Day
• Breakfast
• Breaks
• Sugar
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Test Optional
Fairtest.org
• 850 colleges have made
standardized tests optional
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Local Resources!
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Rob Rosenthal, 303-830-1811
Dr. Beryl Brasch, 303-756-4443
Melissa Woodvine, 303-875-7954
The Princeton Review, 888-955-4600
Kaplan, 800-527-8378
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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Rusty Haynes
Direct: 719-576-9487
Cell: 719-232-5305
[email protected]
Source: Rusty Haynes, 2003
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