COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS OVERVIEWATS Junior Workshop, Fall 2018

Urjita Parekh

The Tests

� PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 –� 10TH (Fall or Spring) and 11th (Fall)� Grade appropriate content knowledge + “what you need to succeed in

college”� $16

� SAT –� 11th grade (Spring) and 12th grade (Fall)� Grade appropriate content knowledge + “what you need to succeed in

college”� $47.50/$64.50 (w/essay) & additional fees for late registration, etc.

Fee waivers available through ATS.

� SAT Subject Tests –� 11th/12th grade, only if needed� $26 ($22 for each additional)

� ACT –� 11th grade (Spring) and 12th grade (Fall)� $50.50/$67.50 (w/essay) & additional fees for late registration, etc.

Fee waivers available through ATS.

PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10(The College Board)

Total Testing Time

2 hours and 45 minutes

Components 1.Evidence-Based Reading and Writing1. Reading Test (47 questions/tasks)2. Writing and Language Test (44 questions/tasks)

2.Math (48 questions/tasks)Score Reporting

Scores will be reported on a shared common score scale with the SAT: The scale ranges for the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 scores are 320–1520 for the total score, 160–760 for each of two section scores, and 8–38 for test scores.

Subscore Reporting

Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, educators, and counselors

Who sees the scores?

Other than you, National Merit Scholarship Program and a few other national scholarship programs.

Colleges do not see individual scores. Student Search Service (opt in) allows colleges to access some of the information you provide during the registration process to send you information about their programs, and will provide them with students who fall into a range of scores.

SAT(The College Board)

Testing Time 3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay [optional])Components 1.Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

1. Reading Test2. Writing and Language Test

2.Math 3.Essay (optional)

Important Features

•Rights-only scoring (no penalty for guessing)

Essay*** •Optional and given at the end of the SAT; postsecondary institutions determine whether they will require the Essay for admission•50 minutes to write the essay•Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written analysis of a provided source text

Score Reporting

•Scale ranging from 400 to 1600•Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three dimensions for Essay•Essay results reported separately

Subscore Reporting

Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators, and counselors

SAT Test Length and Timing

New SAT

Component Time Allotted(min.)

Number of Questions/Tasks

Reading 65 52

Writing and Language 35 44

Essay (optional) 50 1

Math 80 58

Total 180 (230 with Essay) 154 (155 with Essay)

SAT Reading Test

Quick Facts

� All Reading Test questions are multiple choice and based on passages.

� Some passages are paired with other passages.

� Informational graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts, accompany some passages—but no math is required.

� Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested.

� The Reading Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.

SAT Writing and Language Test

Quick Facts

� All questions are multiple choice and based on passages.

� Some passages are accompanied by informational graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts—but no math is required.

� Prior topic knowledge is never tested.

� The Writing and Language Test is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.

SAT Math Test

Quick Facts

� Most math questions will be multiple choice, but some—called grid-ins—ask you to come up with the answer rather than select the answer.

� The Math Test is divided into two portions: Math Test–Calculator and Math Test–No Calculator.

� Some parts of the test include several questions about a single scenario.

Focus

The Math Test will focus in depth on the three areas of math that play the biggest role in a wide range of college majors and careers:

� Heart of Algebra, which focuses on the mastery of linear equations and systems.

� Problem Solving and Data Analysis, which is about being quantitatively literate.

� Passport to Advanced Math, which features questions that require the manipulation of complex equations.

� The Math Test also draws on Additional Topics in Math, including the geometry and trigonometry most relevant to college and career readiness.

SAT Essay

The Topic

� You can count on seeing the same prompt no matter when you take the SAT with Essay, but the passage will be different every time.

� All passages have these things in common:� Written for a broad audience� Argue a point� Express subtle views on complex subjects� Use logical reasoning and evidence to support claims� Examine ideas, debates, or trends in the arts and sciences, or civic, cultural, or

political life� Always taken from published works� All the information you need to write your essay will be included in the passage

or in notes about it.

SAT Essay

The Essay Prompt

� The prompt (question) shown below, or a nearly identical one, is used every time the SAT is given.

� As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.

� evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.� reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.� stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to

add power to the ideas expressed.

� Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience that [author’s claim]. In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [his/her] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author’s] claims, but rather explain how the author builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience.

SAT Essay

What the SAT Essay Measures

The SAT Essay shows how well you understand the passage and use it as the basis for a well-written, thought-out discussion. The two people who score your essay will each award between 1 and 4 points in each of these three categories:

� Reading: A successful essay shows that you understood the passage, including the interplay of central ideas and important details. It also shows an effective use of textual evidence.

� Analysis: A successful essay shows your understanding of how the author builds an argument by:

� Examining the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and other stylistic and persuasive techniques

� Supporting and developing claims with well-chosen evidence from the passage

� Writing: A successful essay is focused, organized, and precise, with an appropriate style and tone that varies sentence structure and follows the conventions of standard written English.

SAT Score Structures

� Total score: 400–1600

� Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section: 200–800

� Math Section: 200–800

� SAT Essay: Three scores ranging from 2–8

What you will see on your score report:

� Score Ranges

� Mean (Average) Scores

� College and Career Readiness Benchmarks

� Percentile Ranks

Calculating Your Score

� Because there’s no penalty for guessing, your raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly. Raw scores are converted to scores on a scale of 160 to 760 using a process called equating. Equating adjusts for slight differences in difficulty between various versions of the test (such as versions taken on different days).

� The College Board uses equating to make sure there’s no advantage in taking the test on a particular day. A score of 400, for instance, on one day’s test means the same thing as a 400 on a test taken on a different day—even though the questions are different.

Making Sense of the Numbers

Score Ranges

� Tests can’t measure exactly what you know, and many factors can affect your score. After all, no two days are the same, and if you were to take the SAT three times in a week or once a week for a month, your scores would vary.

� That’s why it’s helpful to think of each score as a range that extends from a few points below to a few points above the score earned. Score ranges show how much your score might change with repeated testing, assuming that your skill level remains the same.

� Usually, section scores for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and for Math fall in a range of roughly 30 to 40 points above or below your true ability. Colleges know this, and they receive the score ranges along with your scores to consider that single snapshot in context.

Making Sense of the Numbers

Mean (Average) Scores

� Your score report will show you the mean, or average, scores earned by typical U.S. test-takers per grade. Unless your score is much lower than average, you’re probably developing the kinds of reading, writing and language, and math skills you’ll need in college.

Making Sense of the Numbers

Percentile Ranks

� A percentile rank is a number between 1 and 99 that shows how you scored compared to other students. It represents the percentage of students whose scores fall at or below your score. For example, a test-taker in the 57th percentile scored higher than or equal to 57 percent of test-takers.

� You'll see two percentiles:

� The Nationally Representative Sample percentile compares your score to the scores of typical 11th- and 12th-grade U.S. students.

� The User Percentile compares your score to the actual scores of recent graduates who took the new SAT during high school.

SAT Score Ranges

SAT Score Reported Details Score RangeTotal score Sum of the two section scores. 400–1600

Section scores (2) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. 200–800

Test scores (3) Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. 10–40

SAT Essay scores (3)The SAT Essay is optional.

Reading, Analysis, and Writing. 2–8

Cross-test scores (2) Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. Based on selected questions in the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests.These scores show how well you use your skills to analyze texts and solve problems in these subject areas.

10–40

Subscores (7) Reading and Writing and Language: Command of Evidence and Words in Context. Writing and Language: Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions. Math: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math.

1–15

SAT Subject Tests

The Basics

� There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science.

� Each Subject Test is an hour long. They are all multiple-choice and scored on a 200–800 scale.

� Subject Tests test you on your knowledge of subjects on a high school level. The best way to prepare is to take the relevant courses and work hard in them.

SAT Subject Tests

When, Where, and How

� SAT Subject Tests are generally given six times in any given school year, on the same days and in the same test centers as the SAT —but not all 20 tests are offered on every SAT date. The Language with Listening tests are only offered in November.

� You can take one, two, or three Subject Tests on any test date.

� You can’t take the SAT and an SAT Subject Test on the same day.

� Some SAT Subject Tests require you to bring special equipment —for example, CD players for Language with Listening tests.

� You choose what tests to take when you register, but on test day, you can add, subtract, or switch tests — with some limitations.

SAT Subject Tests

Subject Test Areas

Mathematics• Math Level 1• Math Level 2

Science• Biology E/M• Chemistry• Physics

English• Literature

History• U.S. History• World History

Languages• Spanish• Spanish with Listening• French• French with Listening• Chinese with Listening• Italian• German• German with Listening• Modern Hebrew• Latin• Japanese with Listening• Korean with Listening

ACTact.org

English•75 multiple–choice questions•45 minutes•Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical skills

Math•60 multiple–choice questions•60 minutes•Algebra I and II, geometry, and some trigonometry

Reading

•40 multiple–choice questions•35 minutes•Four passages (prose fiction, social studies, humanities, and natural sciences) with 10 questions per passage

Science

•40 multiple–choice questions•35 minutes•Questions on science-based passages presented with graphs, charts, tables and research summaries

Writing

•Writing test is optional*

•1 essay•40 minutes*

We recommend taking the ACT Writing Test because some schools require it.

Understanding your ACT Scores

How ACT Figures the Multiple-Choice and Composite Scores

� First we counted the number of questions on each test that you answered correctly. We did not deduct any points for incorrect answers. (There is no penalty for guessing.)

� Then we converted your raw scores (number of correct answers on each test) to "scale scores." Scale scores have the same meaning for all the different forms of the ACT® test, no matter which date a test was taken.

� Your Composite score and each test score (English, mathematics, reading, science) range from 1 (low) to 36 (high). The Composite score is the average of your four test scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. Fractions less than one-half are rounded down; fractions one-half or more are rounded up.

� Each reporting category includes the total number of questions in that category, the total number of questions in that category you answered correctly, and the percentage of questions correct. ACT reporting categories are aligned with ACT College and Career Readiness Standards and other standards that target college and career readiness.

“What’s a good score?”

UC Freshman Admissions Profiles:

� http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/profiles/index.html

CSU Eligibility Index Table:

� https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility-index/Documents/eligibility-index.pdf

BigFuture:

� https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

Important things to keep in mind

� Take both the SAT and ACT and see which one works better for you� Sections are weighted relatively differently� They are testing different things

� Test scores are not the only factor that colleges are considering

� Most schools are not going to hold multiple takes/scores against you but don’t make test-taking your extracurricular activity

� Ranges that you see online are generally the 25th – 75th percentile

� Don’t freak out about test scores! However, one strategy can be to work towards a specific score range (especially for the SAT) and then keep practicing!