college testing overview mary harrison [email protected] 516-792-4123 tom ehlers...
TRANSCRIPT
Agenda
Overview of the SAT and its components
Overview of the ACT and its components
Scoring comparisons
Preparing for the SAT and ACT using Method Test Prep
Simple tips students should keep in mind when taking the exams.
SAT Overview The SAT Reasoning Test is developed by The College Board.
For many years the dominant college admission exam
The test is scored on a 2400 point scale.
Test is 3 hrs. 45 mins. and comprised of 10 sections:
3 Math—(2) 25 minute sections, (1) 20 minute section
3 Critical Reading—(2) 25 minute sections, (1) 20 minute section
3 Writing—(2) 25 minute sections, (1) 10 minute section
1 Experimental
Test is given first Saturday in Nov., Dec., May and June. Second Saturday in Oct. and March. Fourth Saturday in Jan.
SAT Math Multiple Choice 44 Multiple-choice questions covering the following topics:
Numbers and operations Does not include:
Long computations or Matrix Operations
Algebra and functions Does not include:
Solving quadratic equations, complex numbers, logarithms
Geometry and measurement Does not include
Formal geometric proofs, trigonometry, radian measure
Data analysis, statistics and probability Does not include
Computation of standard deviation
Questions have 5 answer choices lettered A-E. ¼ point penalty for wrong answers.
Math Grid-ins10 Student-produced response questions
Same skills tested as multiple choice
No multiple choice answers provided
Students enter answers into grid on answer sheet
No penalty for wrong answers
SAT Critical ReadingSentence Completion:
19 Questions Multiple choice A-E Test vocabulary and ability to understand complex sentences.
Passages: 48 Questions
Multiple choice A-E Short and long passages—Content topics include humanities, literary
fiction, social studies and science
SAT WritingEssay
30% of writing section score 25 Minutes to complete Topics are abstract Scored on a 1-6 scale, 6 being the highest
Scored by two readers, scores added together for total of 12 points.
Multiple Choice 70% of writing section score 49 Questions
Recognize sentence errors Choose best version of a piece of writing (improving sentences) Improving paragraphs
If at least one answer choice can be eliminated, guess. ¼ pt. deducted for wrong answers.
More inferring/reasoningAll sections go from easiest to hardest except reading
passages questionsVocabulary is extremely importantMore intimidating-questions look worse than they arePlugging in numbers almost 20-25 of the 54 math
questionsQuestion and answer service-January, May, and
October
Important Notes About The SAT
ACT OverviewTest is created by ACT, Inc.
Traditionally taken more in Midwest and some areas of the South. No longer the case as every college will accept the SAT or
ACT for admissions. Has become much more prominent
Almost as many students take the ACT as take the SAT.
Scored on a 36 point scale
Test given in Sept., Oct., Dec., Feb., April and June
ACT Structure3 Hours 25 Minutes
4 Sections Plus Optional Writing SectionEnglish: 75 Questions (45 mins)
Math: 60 Questions (60 mins)
Reading: 40 Questions (35 mins)
Science: 40 Questions (35 mins)
Writing (Optional) 30 Minute essay
ACT English75 questions in only 45 minutes
Usage and mechanical skill are tested: Punctuation, grammar and usage and sentence
structure.
Rhetorical skills Strategy, organization and style
Spelling and vocabulary are not tested
5 long essays or passages Multiple Choice often with “No Change” as an option
ACT MathematicsUse of calculator is allowed60 Multiple choice questions in 60 MinutesCovers all math up to the beginning of 12th grade
Pre-AlgebraElementary Algebra Intermediate AlgebraCoordinate GeometryPlane GeometryTrigonometry
ACT Reading40 Questions in 35 Minutes
Comprised of 4 reading passages with multiple choice questions College level prose Topics include
Social Studies Natural Sciences Prose Fiction Humanities
ACT Science40 Multiple Choice Questions in 35 Minutes
Measures interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem solving skills.
7 Question sets including: Data representation (graphs, tables, etc.) Research summaries (descriptions of experiments) Conflicting viewpoints (opposing related hypotheses)
Knowledge of content is not critical to success.
ACT Writing30 Minute timed section
Tests writing skills
Presented with 2 points of view on an issueMust take a stance and present an opinion
Students MUST sign up for ACT w/Writing!
Important Notes About The ACT Answer every question
Sections are longer than SAT—students who work quicker and have better time management tend to do better.
Reading comp—more literal than the SAT, less complicated
4 answer choices on all sections except math
Science looks more intimidating than it is. More a test of reading and reasoning skills.
Biggest challenge of English section is time crunch
Math has a larger range of difficulty than the SAT: covers higher level Algebra and includes Trigonometry
Test information release—December, April and June
Important Notes About The ACTWhat Are Institutions Using as an ACT Composite Score for Students Who Have
Multiple Sets of Test Scores?*
An institution may adopt a "most recent," "single highest," or "combined highest" approach in defining what ACT composite score it considers:
The most recent composite score is simply the composite score obtained from the four test scores on a student's most recent test administration.
The single highest composite score is the highest composite score a student has obtained in any single test administration.
The combined highest composite score is the score obtained for a student who has tested more than once, by using the highest English, highest Mathematics, highest Reading, and highest Science scores to form an average—regardless of the administrations from which each score was obtained.
* from http://act.org/aap/infosys/scores.html
Scoring ComparisonsSAT Score ACT Composite Score
2400 36
2280-2330 34
2160-2210 32
2040-2090 30
1920-1970 28
1800-1850 26
1680-1730 24
1560-1610 22
1440-1490 20
1320-1370 18
1200-1250 16
Preparation“There are no secrets to success. It is the result
of preparation, hard work and learning from failing”
--Colin Powell
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”
--Alexander Graham Bell
Good Preparation Includes Understanding your strengths and weaknesses
Learning basic and useful strategies Plug in numbers Grammar rules Increase reading speed and strategies Improve your vocabulary When to guess and when to omit on the SAT and ACT
Making a Plan Have a plan how to attack each question
Practicing with the material so you can execute your plan Recognition is key Stamina is very important
MTP Program Highlights “Raising Your Score” checklist
15 Minute segments of work
Program keeps track of all the student’s work
Vocabulary builder with “Words Mastered” and “Words Missed” lists
Timer on all questions
Immediate feedback
2 Full length SAT’s and 2 Full length ACT’s
Grammar rules, math cram packets and sample essays
Strengths and WeaknessesIt is essential that students understand where
they excel and where they need help.
While prepping, attention should be given to areas of deficiency
Use the test structure to make the most of the knowledge you have
Essential Keys To Performing On Test Day
Information—Being informed is key. Students who are well prepared will NEVER be surprised by the test.
Confidence—If students have a strong belief that they have done all they need to in order to be ready, they will do better.
Competitive fire—Pit the students not only against the test but against others in the room
Relax—Overcoming anxiety is crucial to success.
Simple Tips We Take For Granted Get to bed early Make sure you have a good meal before leaving
home—a piece of toast is not sufficient Get to the test site early Make sure you bring a snack Make sure you bring an acceptable calculator
Graphing calculators Scientific calculators Four-function calculators (not recommended)