Testing and Senior Testing and Senior SchedulesSchedules

PSAT: PSAT:

Students received results in December Students received results in December

Good diagnostic of strengths and weaknessesGood diagnostic of strengths and weaknesses

Good guide for SAT preparationGood guide for SAT preparation

National Merit Qualifying Exam as a junior National Merit Qualifying Exam as a junior

SAT or ACT SAT or ACT

Required by most collegesRequired by most colleges

Colleges will use best scoresColleges will use best scores

UC takes best score from ONE sittingUC takes best score from ONE sitting

Others may use best individual math, writing, Others may use best individual math, writing, and critical reading scores from different sittings and critical reading scores from different sittings for a total highest scorefor a total highest score

SAT SUBJECT TESTSSAT SUBJECT TESTSUC no longer requires them, but certain UC no longer requires them, but certain majors may recommend for admissionmajors may recommend for admission

CSU does not require subject testsCSU does not require subject tests

Several colleges may require or strongly Several colleges may require or strongly recommend – check policyrecommend – check policy

Offered in Math, Foreign Language, History, Offered in Math, Foreign Language, History, Literature and ScienceLiterature and Science

SAT vs. ACTSAT vs. ACT

What are the major What are the major differences?differences?

What is the test structure?What is the test structure?

SAT: 10 section exam SAT: 10 section exam 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, and one 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, and one

Experimental. The Experimental section is Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section & is masked to look like a regular section & is unscoredunscored

ACT: 4 section exam: English, Math, Reading, ACT: 4 section exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. Writing optional and Science Reasoning. Writing optional Experimental section added only to certain dates Experimental section added only to certain dates and is clearly noted.and is clearly noted.

What is the test content?What is the test content?

SATSATMath: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II. Math: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II. Reading: Sentence completion, short and long critical Reading: Sentence completion, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension. reading passages, reading comprehension. Writing: Essay, questions testing grammar, usage, and Writing: Essay, questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice.word choice.

ACTACTMath: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, TrigMath: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, TrigScience: Charts, experiments. Science: Charts, experiments. Reading: Reading comprehension, grammar usage.Reading: Reading comprehension, grammar usage.Writing option - essayWriting option - essay

How is the test scored?How is the test scored?

SAT: 200-800 per section, added together for a SAT: 200-800 per section, added together for a combined score. 2400 is the highest possible combined score. 2400 is the highest possible combined score.combined score.

*Penalty for wrong answers *Penalty for wrong answers

ACT: 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a ACT: 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score.composite score.

*No wrong answer penalty*No wrong answer penalty

Are all scores sent to schools?Are all scores sent to schools?

SAT: YES and NO. Score Choice is option. SAT: YES and NO. Score Choice is option. However, many schools still want all scores However, many schools still want all scores sent. Students need to check individual college sent. Students need to check individual college policy.policy.

ACT: NO. There has always been a “Score ACT: NO. There has always been a “Score Choice” option. Students can choose which Choice” option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see.scores the schools will see.

When is each test administered?When is each test administered?

SATSATSeven times per yearSeven times per yearOffered 4 times per year at each district Offered 4 times per year at each district school.school.

ACTACT Six times per yearSix times per year Not offered in our district.Not offered in our district.

Planning for the exams:Planning for the exams:

Sign up for exams at www.collegeboard.com or Sign up for exams at www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org

Plan to take SAT or ACT in spring of junior year.Plan to take SAT or ACT in spring of junior year.

Plan to take SAT Subject tests in spring of junior Plan to take SAT Subject tests in spring of junior year, if needed.year, if needed.

Additional SAT test dates in October, November Additional SAT test dates in October, November and December of senior year.and December of senior year.

ACT in June or September.ACT in June or September.

Test PreparationTest Preparation

Many different ways to prepareMany different ways to prepare

Best method depends on how student learns Best method depends on how student learns

““Independent” learners can prepare very Independent” learners can prepare very effectively on their owneffectively on their own

Some students may need structure of a specific Some students may need structure of a specific program and scheduleprogram and schedule

Can help with “test anxiety”.Can help with “test anxiety”.

Test Preparation ProgramsTest Preparation Programs

Individual, small group, and regular Individual, small group, and regular classroom sized courses.classroom sized courses.

Compare costs; compare programs - Compare costs; compare programs - many to choose from!many to choose from!

Extra workload with homeworkExtra workload with homework

How do colleges use these test How do colleges use these test scores for scores for Eligibility?Eligibility?

UC uses the SAT or the ACT scores and UC uses the SAT or the ACT scores and GPA in college prep classes GPA in college prep classes

CSU uses just the Math and Reading CSU uses just the Math and Reading scores from SAT or just the scores from SAT or just the compositecomposite score from the ACT, and GPA in college score from the ACT, and GPA in college prep classesprep classes

CSU Eligibility FormulasCSU Eligibility Formulas

Using SAT scores: Using SAT scores: GPA x 800 + SAT CR + Math totalGPA x 800 + SAT CR + Math total

Using ACT scores: Using ACT scores: GPA x 200 + 10 x ACT CompositeGPA x 200 + 10 x ACT Composite

Score must be 2900 or above for eligibilityScore must be 2900 or above for eligibility

Automatic eligibility if GPA is 3.0 and above.Automatic eligibility if GPA is 3.0 and above.

UC EligibilityUC Eligibility

Earn a minimum 3.0 GPA Earn a minimum 3.0 GPA (with grades of C (with grades of C

or better)or better) in 15 courses, with 11 completed in 15 courses, with 11 completed before senior year:before senior year:

a. History/Social sciencea. History/Social science 2 years2 years

b. Englishb. English 4 years4 years

c. Mathc. Math 3 years3 years

d. Lab science d. Lab science 2 years2 years

e. Foreign Languagee. Foreign Language 2 years2 years

f. Visual/performing artsf. Visual/performing arts 1 year1 year

g. College prep electiveg. College prep elective 1 year1 year

SAT or ACT test scoresSAT or ACT test scores

Does Does eligibilityeligibility mean mean admissionadmission??

Distinction between “eligibility” for the system Distinction between “eligibility” for the system and “admission” to a specific campus.and “admission” to a specific campus.

Eligibility also assumes students have all a-g Eligibility also assumes students have all a-g course course requirements completed.requirements completed.

The more competitive campuses set different, The more competitive campuses set different, higher scores for admission.higher scores for admission.

Impacted campuses vs. Impacted majors Impacted campuses vs. Impacted majors

UC Comprehensive ReviewUC Comprehensive Review

If student meets eligibility requirements, If student meets eligibility requirements, application will be reviewed application will be reviewed comprehensively, emphasizing academic comprehensively, emphasizing academic achievement as well as a wide range of achievement as well as a wide range of personal accomplishmentspersonal accomplishments

Student’s chances of admission varies by Student’s chances of admission varies by selectivity of different campuses – choose selectivity of different campuses – choose carefully and broadlycarefully and broadly

Admission Websites:Admission Websites:

UC: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions UC: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions

CSU: www.csumentor.edu CSU: www.csumentor.edu

All California colleges: All California colleges: www.californiacolleges.edu www.californiacolleges.edu

Many private and other public colleges may use:Many private and other public colleges may use: www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org

Planning Senior Planning Senior SchedulesSchedules

An Important ProcessAn Important Process

Individual student conference (s) with Individual student conference (s) with counselors will begin in Februarycounselors will begin in February

Opportunity to make sure students have Opportunity to make sure students have all graduation and college admission all graduation and college admission requirements in placerequirements in place

Strengthen record in elective areasStrengthen record in elective areas

Make plans to makeup “D” gradesMake plans to makeup “D” grades

Course requirements for AdmissionCourse requirements for Admission

UC and CSU course requirements are “aligned”. UC and CSU course requirements are “aligned”. Both systems use the same a-g list.Both systems use the same a-g list.

Other college course requirements may vary!Other college course requirements may vary!

Research other college requirements in the next Research other college requirements in the next few monthsfew months

College/Career Center and college websites are College/Career Center and college websites are useful in this processuseful in this process

Make changes in Senior courses if necessary!Make changes in Senior courses if necessary!

Tips for Planning Senior SchedulesTips for Planning Senior Schedules

Rigor of senior year curriculum is important!Rigor of senior year curriculum is important!

Senior year does count!Senior year does count!

Many colleges require transcripts from first Many colleges require transcripts from first semester senior year.semester senior year.

Colleges expect the same level of achievement Colleges expect the same level of achievement as presented in applicationsas presented in applications

Final Word on Senior SchedulesFinal Word on Senior Schedules

Choose courses in academic areas that Choose courses in academic areas that will challenge you.will challenge you.

Don’t over schedule! Don’t over schedule!

Take courses that make sense given your Take courses that make sense given your interests and previous experiences.interests and previous experiences.

Do well in those classes!Do well in those classes!

What should Juniors be doing What should Juniors be doing for the rest of this year?for the rest of this year?

January and FebruaryJanuary and February

Prepare for Spring SAT or ACT Prepare for Spring SAT or ACT

Sign up for SAT I or ACT at:Sign up for SAT I or ACT at:

www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org

MarchMarch

Students should have seen their Students should have seen their counselors at least once to discuss senior counselors at least once to discuss senior schedules and their college planning schedules and their college planning process.process.

Plan Spring Break college visit?Plan Spring Break college visit?

April-MayApril-May

Attend East Bay College Connection/ Attend East Bay College Connection/ College Fair at St. Mary’s College, April 14College Fair at St. Mary’s College, April 14

Take SAT or ACTTake SAT or ACT

For students applying to private colleges –For students applying to private colleges –

Think about teacher recommendations!Think about teacher recommendations!Who to ask? How to ask? When to askWho to ask? How to ask? When to ask

JuneJune

Take SAT Subject Tests, if needed Take SAT Subject Tests, if needed

Do well on final exams! These are the last Do well on final exams! These are the last grades UC will see.grades UC will see.

SummerSummer

Visit collegesVisit colleges

Take enrichment classesTake enrichment classes

Do community serviceDo community service

Pursue a special interestPursue a special interest

Attend summer school to make up “D” Attend summer school to make up “D” grades if necessary.grades if necessary.

AugustAugust

Get organized! Use Naviance to:Get organized! Use Naviance to:

Update resumeUpdate resumeComplete “Student Statement”Complete “Student Statement”Ask parents to complete “Parent Brag Sheet”Ask parents to complete “Parent Brag Sheet”Come up with preliminary college listCome up with preliminary college listBegin work on college essays and add to Begin work on college essays and add to “journal section” in Naviance file“journal section” in Naviance file

SeptemberSeptember

Check list of college visits in Naviance or the Check list of college visits in Naviance or the College & Career Center. Sign up to attend via College & Career Center. Sign up to attend via Naviance!Naviance!

Talk with your counselor Talk with your counselor soon soon if you think you if you think you might be doing Early Action or Early Decisionmight be doing Early Action or Early Decision

Counselors make Senior English Class VisitsCounselors make Senior English Class Visitsand begin to check in with ALL their seniors.and begin to check in with ALL their seniors.

Thank you all for coming this Thank you all for coming this evening!evening!

Please do not hesitate to contact Please do not hesitate to contact your student’s counselor with your student’s counselor with

individual questions.individual questions.