To Test or Not to TestWhat you need to know about

standardized testing and test optional policies.

MINI-CAMP COLLEGEWORKSHOPS

What Are Colleges Considering For Admission Transcript:

Course levels & rigor Grades

Scores ACT SAT

Essay – Personal Statement Extracurricular Activities

Positions & Leadership Letter of Recommendation

Relationship to Applicant Qualities of Applicant

Why Take A Standardized Test?Colleges use tests like the SAT and the ACT for: Admission – to compare you to other

candidates in their application pool Placement – to choose the most appropriate

courses for you Advisement – to help guide you in making

course or career decisions And many other reasons…

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790What Does a Score Mean?

Nothing.

Until it’s interpreted

and used

What is ACT?

Since its inception in 1959, the ACT has stayed true to its founders’ beliefs – that the best way to measure preparedness for college is to measure those skills deemed necessary for college success in the context of the curriculum to which students were exposed.

The ACT is and continues to be a curriculum-based, achievement test, but it has become so much more than simply a college admissions & placement test

The ACT consists of…

ACT English Test (75 questions, 45 minutes)

ACT Math Test (60 questions, 60 minutes)

ACT Reading Test (40 questions, 35 minutes)

ACT Science Test (40 questions, 35 minutes)

ACT Writing Test (1 question, 30 minutes)

English (1-36) Mathematics (1-36) Reading (1-36) Science (1-36)

Composite (1-36)

Composite not affected by *optional* Writing Test

ACT Assessment

What Scores Will Be Reported?

Composite not affected by *optional* Writing Test

What Scores Will Be Reported?ACT Assessment + Writing

Combined English & Writing Score (1-36)

Writing Test Subscore (2-12)

Narrative interpretation of Writing Test Subscore

What is College Board? Not-for-profit membership organization whose

mission it is to connect students to college success and opportunity

Committed to excellence and equity in education Develops, with input from members, programs

and services related to college preparation, college admission, and financial aid

Our best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and Advanced Placement® (AP®)

The SAT consists of…

10 Separately Timed Sections One 25-minute essay Six other 25-minute sections (5

sections will be scored; 1 section is an “equating” or “variable” section)

Two 20-minute sections One 10-minute section

How is the SAT Scored?

Critical Reading Section 200-800Math Section 200-800Writing Section 200-800

Multiple Choice = 70%Essay = 30%

Total SAT Score Range 600-2400

Which Are the Major Tests? ACT ACT + Writing SAT SAT Subject Tests

Test Optional Policies

www.fairtest.org

Which is the Best Option?

The better question is:

Which is the best option for you?

Work with your school counselor, independent counselor or college admission counselor to determine which choice best fits your situation.

How Do I find Out?

Check the College’s Website

Ultimately . . .

You have to do the research and find out your college’s requirements

You have to make the decision which admission path is best for you

You have to succeed once you get in to college

We hope that you learned a lot today!