College Admissions Testing

Dublin City Schools Parent ProgramSeptember 13, 2012

Agenda

Why test?

A closer look at each test

How to register for these tests

How all this pertains to college readiness

Wrap up –questions and answers

Why Test?

o Guide the academic preparation while in high school (course selection)

o Level the playing field – an “A” varies from class to class, school to school, district to district

o Assessing critical thinking vs. knowledge

Why Test?

College recruitment

Scholarship opportunities

College readiness (benchmark score vs. composite scores)

“The Big Picture” Dublin City Schools is committed to providing practice & tools needed to be successful on

high-stakes tests.

8th grade – Explore Test

10th grade – PLAN Test

11th grade – ACT Practice

11th grade – ACT Test

9th grade – PSAT (optional)

10th grade – PSAT (optional)

11th grade – PSAT Test

11th grade – SAT Test

ACT Sequence SAT Sequence

PSAT/NMSQT Practice for the SAT test

Critical Reading, Math & Writing Skills

Scored on a 20-80 scale

Assessment of strengths and weaknesses

Top scores from Junior year only can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship (9th and 10th practice)

Scores are also used for National Achievement & National Hispanic Recognition programs

SAT Reasoning Testo Sections• Math• Critical Reading

(Vocabulary & Reading Comprehension)

• Writing (Grammar & Required Essay)

o Scoring• 200-800 per

section• Perfect score is

now 2400

SAT Subject Tests

Measures knowledge in a specific subject area

Required by top tier schools

Consult application & school requirements

Register and sit for these exams at the completion of the highest level of coursework

AP ExamsCreated by the College Board

College level curriculum

Administered on national dates in May

Scored on a scale of 1 to 5. No penalty for incorrect answers

Students earning a 3 or higher may earn college credit at the university level

PLAN TestPractice test for ACT

Administered to ALL sophomore students

Career Assessment Inventory

Measures achievement in four areas: English MathReading Science Reasoning

ACTSections

EnglishMath ReadingScience ReasoningOptional EssayRecommended

all students take at least once.

Scoring1-36Average of four required sectionsScore is good predictor of college readiness

ACT College Readiness

Benchmarks50% Likelihood of obtaining a B or higher

College Course ACT Test Score

English Composition 18 ACT English Test

Algebra 22 ACT Math Test

Social Science 21 ACT Reading Test

Biology 24 ACT Science Test

September 26, 2012

8th grade EXPLORE

10th grade PLAN

11th grade ACT Practice Test (seniors welcome too)

What’s a Good Score?

SAT - National average is 1500

ACT - National average is 21

OSU – Around 1250 for SAT (CR/M) & 28 for ACT

CSCC – does not require scores, but students are encouraged to take the test regardless

See scores required for merit scholarships

Super Scoring

Super Scoring involves taking the highest section scores from multiple SAT Test sittings and creating a composite.

Although the College Board itself does not take on this practice, it has become commonplace in the college admissions process.

Dublin City Schools: SAT/ACT

Based on 2011 Graduation Year:AVERAGE SAT SCORES:

Critical Reading: 559 out of 800Mathematics: 589 out of 800

Writing: 546 out of 800

AVERAGE ACT SCORES: English: 24.8 out of 36 Mathematics: 24.7 out of 36 Reading: 24.8 out of 36 Science: 24.7 out of 36 Composite: 24.9 out of 36

Source: J. Meade “ Dublin City Schools 5 Year Trends SAT/ACT”

o Guessing Penalty

o Easy to Hard

o Vocab is emphasized

o Essay required

o No Guessing Penalty

o Mixture of difficulty

o Science, Trigonometry

o Essay optional

SAT ACT

Differences Between Tests

Which Test is Best for my Child?

Utilize pre-administered tests

PLAN, PSAT, Practice ACT

What is the purpose? College ReadinessCollege Admission

When to take the ACT/SAT:

Recommend for Juniors to sign up NOW for test in the late winter and spring

Ideally seniors should enter fall with at least one test score

Most colleges will not accept scores sent after December test date of senior year

Test Dates in Dublin

ACT

October 27, 2012 (DCHS)

December 8, 2012 (DJHS)

April 13, 2013 (DSHS)

SAT

November 3, 2012 (DSHS)

January 26, 2013 (DCHS)

May 4, 2012 (DJHS)

How to RegisterOn line (must use a credit card)

Fee Waiver available for students who qualify (see your counselor)

Set aside 1 hour to complete

Utilize PSAT and PLAN to set up an account early. Pre-populates application and reduces amount of time needed to complete from.

October 2012 and or a later test date - photo identification required

While Registering…

ACT

Register for Writing Test

Select colleges to report scores

SAT

Essay included

Select colleges to report scores

Sending Scores

o Dublin City Schools does NOT report test scores nor are scores included on a student’s transcript

o You have the option of having scores sent when you register

Free Preparation: Read, write & problem solve as much as possible

Course Selection/Rigor (ACT/SAT Test Prep Class)

Test Prep Courses offered by district

Build vocabulary

Naviance

Take practice testsACT.orgCollegeboard.org

Questions for Colleges:

“When is the last day I can submit test scores to be considered for admission?”

“When is the last day I can submit test scores for scholarship consideration?”

“Do you ‘Super-Score’?” For scholarships and/or admissions?

Admittance is More than Test Scores

Colleges look at GPA, Course Selection/Rigor and Test Scores as top three criteria

Top tier schools frequently turn away students who earn perfect SAT and/or ACT scores

Leadership, community service, student essays and extracurricular activities are all evaluated

Upcoming Parent Meetings

October 2, 2012 – “College Fair for Students with Learning Disabilities”

October 4, 2012 – “Scholarships / Financial Aid”

November 7, 2012 – “ Information for College Bound Students with IEPs”

January 9, 2012 – “FAFSA Workshop”

January 15, 2013 – “AP / IB Meeting”

Thank You!

Please complete the feedback survey and return it to the table outside the theatre.