The ABC’s about the SAT….

…and what about the ACT?

Welcome! Ms. Colleen Desmond, B-CC Resource CounselorOctober 24, 2013 @ 7:00 PM

*Thank you to the PTSA and CAC for organizing this event!

A little SAT history…..• First SAT developed in 1901 as a

means of determining intelligence• SAT originally stood for “Scholastic

Achievement Test”• In 1941, College Board changed

name to “Scholastic Aptitude Test”• In 1994, the test mean was re-

centered and test re-named to simply SAT (SAT doesn’t stand for anything!!)

SAT

SAT History continued…..• In 2005, SAT was modified with new

writing section, including an essay• Added extended reading and math

section• No more analogies – replaced with

sentence completion to test knowledge of vocabulary in context.

• Highest score went from 1600 to 2400 (includes 800 on reading, math, writing)

SAT

ACT History….• First administered in 1959• Used to be more popular in

mid-West but now taken by students in all states

• Accepted by all colleges• Curriculum based – directly

related to what students learn in school

ACT

ACT and SATContent based on nation-wide HS curriculum survey

• ACT “measures academic achievement in the areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science.”

• SAT “measures critical reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning skills.”

ACT

Highest Score is 36

• ACT–One point for

every correct item

–Each section converted to a 36-point scale

* Highest score possible for SAT is 2400, 800 points per section (reading, math, writing)

ACT

ACT and SAT

10 sections

• ACT – 4 sections–English, Math,

Reading, Science Reasoning

• SAT – 10 sections–Critical Reading

(3), Writing (3), Math (3), Experimental (1)

SAT

ACT and SAT

Assesses content from Algebra II

ACT SAT

ACT and SAT

Assesses content from Pre Calculus

ACT• Math

• Includes trigonometry

Pre-AlgebraElementary

AlgebraIntermediate

AlgebraCoordinate Geometry

Plane GeometryTrigonometry

1st Quarter, Pre Calculus

ACT

ACT and SAT

Assesses grammar

• ACT English– Usage/Mechanics

• Punctuation, grammar & usage, sentence structure

– Rhetorical Skills• Writing strategy,

organization, style• SAT Writing

– Grammar– Usage– Word choice– Essay

ACT SAT

ACT and SAT

Reading Section consists of four 1-1½ page passages

• ACT Reading (35 minutes)– Reading

comprehension– Four passages

• Social science, humanities, prose fiction, and natural sciences

• SAT Critical Reading (aka verbal) (70 minutes)– Reading

comprehension– Sentence

completion– Short and long

passages

ACT

ACT and SAT

Directly assesses vocabulary in context

• SAT– Vocabulary directly

assessed in critical reading section

• ACT– Vocabulary is not

directly assessed, but aids reading comprehension

SAT

ACT and SAT

Assesses science reasoning

ACT• Science

–Readings, charts, experiments

–Subjects:• Biology• Chemistry• Earth/Space • Physics

ACT

ACT and SAT

Essay is required

• ACT – Optional essay– Topics “intended to

reflect the interests and experiences of HS students”

• SAT – Essay– Range of topics

include literature, art, sports, politics, technology, science, history, current events

SAT

ACT and SAT

Essay requires student to take a position

ACT SAT

ACT and SAT

Includes student-response (grid-in) math questions

SAT

ACT and SAT

ACT and SAT

¼ point deduction for each incorrect answer

• This is known as the “penalty for guessing.” It is designed on the SAT to discourage random guessing.

• On SAT, students receive a 0 point deduction for blank answers.

SAT

The SAT might be the test of best fit if…..

• You did great on the PSAT.• You have a killer vocabulary. (You are

comfortable with words like "didactic," "sedulous," and "esoteric.")

• You prefer starts and stops when taking tests. There are nine sections and an essay on the SAT. (Total test time = 3 hrs. 45 min.

• You can ace grammar. For example, you are comfortable with the sentence, "On the table, there ARE a pencil and some paper.“

• You consider yourself "quick-thinking."

• You enjoy brain teasers and are good at reasoning and logic.

• You don’t have to study to pass tests.• You are strong in math – 1/3 of test

The ACT might be the test of best fit if…

• Your PSAT or SAT score is inconsistent with your academic performance in school.

• Your vocabulary is not as strong as your reading.

• You read relatively quickly.• You are more academic than

test savvy. (The ACT test is more like a test you would take in school.)

• You prefer four longer sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) to having interruptions and breaks during the test. (Total test time = 2 hrs. 55 min.)

• You are great at writing papers but do not have formal grammar instruction.

• You are “book smart”

SAT Subject Tests• Required by some colleges –

check each college’s website• Subject tests cover knowledge

of material in areas including science, history, literature, advanced math, foreign languages

• Each test graded on 800 point scale

• One hour in length• ACT can sometimes substitute

for SAT subject tests – again, check with college

SAT:Date Regular Registration DeadlineNovember 2, 2013 closedDecember 7, 2013 November 8, 2013January 25, 2014 December 27, 2013March 8, 2014 February 7, 2014May 3, 2014 April 4, 2014June 7, 2014 May 9, 2014ACT:Date Regular Registration DeadlineOctober 26, 2013 closedDecember 14, 2013 November 8, 2013February 8, 2014 January 10, 2014April 12, 2014 March 7, 2014June 14, 2014 May 9, 2014**B-CC High School Code: 210-250

Test Dates

Additional Information• Photo needs to be uploaded

when registering• Four free score reports sent

when registering• For SAT, you can sign up for

Score Choice by test date• SAT Subject tests available

on: Nov 2, Dec 7, Jan 25, March 8, May 3, June 7

• Think before you sign up for “student search service”.

• Do sign up for SAT Question of the Day

Practice Tests offered by PTSA/CAC:

• Full-length practice ACT on November 16th in B-CC cafeteria

• Follow-up session: Dec. 5th, 7 pm in B-CC Choral room.

• Full-length practice SAT on January 11th in B-CC cafeteria

• Follow-up session: Jan. 23rd at 7 pm in B-CC Choral Room

Sample Time table – grade 11 2013-2014

October 16, 2013

November 16, 2013

January 11, 2014

March 8, 2014

April 12, 2014

May 3, 2014

June 7 or 14, 2014

PSAT Practice ACT

Practice SAT

SAT I ACT SAT Subject tests

2nd SAT or 2nd ACT

January to Prep course

March:

Accuplacer• A computer adaptive placement

test– Questions given are based on

previous answers• Test is not timed• Offered at B-CC and at

Montgomery College:– Students who do not earn a 550 on

each section of the SAT or 24 on the ACT must take the Accuplacer for course placement.

• Used at MD community colleges and a very limited number of 4-year schools

Students with a disability• Must apply through College

Board or ACT testing service for accommodations

• Can now apply on-line or download forms

• Can take up to 3 months to process

Online Resources• ACT

– ACT site – http://www.actstudent.org

• SAT– College Board site – http:www.collegeboard.com

• Accuplacer– College Board site for students:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/index.html

– Montgomery College: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/AssessCtr/assessment-placement.html

There are some colleges that don’t

require a standardized test for

admission. Go to www.Fairtest.org to

see a list of these colleges

1.Types of courses student takes in high school - rigorous courses are important (Honors, AP, IB)

2.Grades in these courses

3.SAT/ACT scores 4.Activities in which a

student is involved5.Essay6.Recommendations

So what do colleges look for in a student?

A standardized test is only one key to open up the many doors to your

future…….