The ABC’s of

PSAT

SAT

ACT

AP Exams

MME

Exam Information and Exam Information and Exam Information ResourcesExam Information Resources

PHS Morning Announcements Teachers Counselors PTSO Newsletter Ms. Joyce Williams, Director, External

Testing, PHS Career Center, 994-2116 www.collegeboard.com (SAT) www.act.org (ACT) www.michigan.gov/mme (MME)

PSATPSATPSAT/NMSQT

Preliminary SAT/

National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

PSATPSATWhat is the PSAT?What is the PSAT?

Co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)

PSAT/NMSQT measures verbal reasoning, critical reading, mathematics problem-solving, and writing skills. The PSAT/NMSQT includes five sections:– Two verbal sections– Two math sections– One writing skills section

PSATPSATWho should take the PSAT?Who should take the PSAT?

The PSAT/NMSQT should be taken in your student’s junior year.

Many students benefit from taking it earlier, typically in their sophomore year.

PSAT PSAT Why take the PSAT?Why take the PSAT?

Help prepare for SAT Program tests Forecast SAT scores Opportunity to qualify to enter competitions for

scholarships and participate in recognition programs such as: – National Merit Scholarship Program– National Hispanic Recognition Program– National Scholarship Service and Fund for Negro Students– Telluride Association

Participate in the Student Search Service to get educational and financial information from colleges

Compare yourself with other students

PSATPSATRegistrationRegistration

Fee Students register for the PSAT/NMSQT at the

General Office at Pioneer High School Registration begins in mid-September On-line registration is not available Fee waivers available, by request, for juniors

from low-income families. The student should consult a PHS counselor.

Provisions for students with disabilities

PSATPSATTest DayTest Day

Test administered at Pioneer High School, usually on the third Saturday in October

Test location will change if there is a U-M football game on the testing day

Plan to arrive at the testing center at 7:45 AM Students should have:

– Admission Ticket– No. 2 pencils with erasers– Approved calculator– Acceptable Identification which would include a school ID, driver’s

license, or passport

Testing begins at 8:00 AM and ends about 11:30 AM. The actual test requires 2 hours,10 minutes.

PSATPSATTest ResultsTest Results

PSAT/NMSQT score reports are mailed to the High School at the end of November.

Each school decides how and when to distribute the scores to students.

At Pioneer, results are sent to PHS and distributed to students by the counselors.

Score reports are not mailed home.

PSATPSATScore Reports and ScoringScore Reports and Scoring

SCORE REPORT– Scores reported on a scale from 20 to 80

Three scores: Verbal, Mathematics, Writing Raw scores are calculated as follows:

– Questions answered correctly receive one point– Unanswered questions receive no points– A fraction of a point is subtracted for incorrect answers to multiple-choice

questions.– Each incorrect answer to a student-produced response question receives no

points

– Selection Index - sum of Verbal, Mathematics, and Writing scores– Percentiles allow comparison to scores of other juniors. A student with a

percentile of 53 has earned a score better than 53 out of every 100 juniors who took the test.

Score Report will show the correct answers and the student’s answers and the difficulty level of each question.

To convert to a comparable SAT I score, add a zero to the PSAT/NMSQT score (verbal and mathematics, only). For example, a PSAT/NMSQT score of 56 is similar to an SAT I score of 560.

PSATPSATTest Preparation AvailableTest Preparation Available

PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin available when registering to take the PSAT

Tips and practice questions available at www.collegeboard.com

National Merit Scholarship ProgramNational Merit Scholarship Program

Enter the Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the junior year of high school.

NMSC will provide scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools in the fall of the student’s senior year

To qualify as a finalist:– Complete NMSC scholarship application

includes essay about contributions to school and community, personal characteristics, activities, plans, and goals

– Take the SAT I and earn qualifying scores– Notify NMSC of plans to enroll in college

8,000 National Merit Scholarships of $2,500 are awarded

National Merit Scholarship ProgramNational Merit Scholarship Program

Other Scholarship AwardsOther Scholarship Awards

Corporate-sponsored Merit and Special Scholarships Awards – Provided by corporate sponsors in the National Merit

Scholarship Program– A list of corporate organizations that sponsor both Merit and

Special Scholarships is given in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin.

College-sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards– Officials of a NMSC sponsored institution choose award

recipients from among finalists who have applied for admission and have informed NMSC that the sponsor college is their first choice

SAT ISAT I

Scholastic Assessment Test I

Reasoning Tests

SAT ISAT I What is the SAT I? What is the SAT I?

National college admissions test Considered a standard way of measuring a

student’s ability to do college-level work Assesses verbal and math reasoning abilities Ten sections

– Three critical reading sections– Three mathematical sections– Three writing sections including one 25 minute

essay– One non-scored “equating” section which can be

verbal or math. This section is used to try out new questions or set the scoring scale.

SAT ISAT IWho should take the SAT I?Who should take the SAT I?

SAT I scores may be required for admission to a college

Many students choose to take the SAT I in their junior year, particularly if they plan on applying for early admission to a college in the fall of their senior year.

If the SAT I scores are a college admission requirement, a student should plan on taking the test no later than December of his/her senior year.

SAT ISAT IWhen is the SAT I given?When is the SAT I given?

Administered on seven national test dates throughout the year: – October– November – December – January – March or April – May – June

Testing takes place on Saturday Sunday testing is available for students whose

religious faith prohibits testing on Saturday.

SAT ISAT IRegistrationRegistration

Fee Mail

– Registration Bulletin available at PHS career center

Online registration is available and encouraged by the College Board– www.collegeboard.com– use major credit card for payment of fee– certain circumstances where online registration

cannot be used Fee waivers available

– apply through counselor

SAT ISAT IRegistrationRegistration

Registration deadline is approximately five weeks prior to the test date

Additional cost for late registration Provisions for:

– changing the test date– changing the test center– changing the test (SAT I/SAT II)– students with disabilities

Students can register to take the SAT I at any testing center.

SAT I SAT I Test Day Test Day

Most PHS students will take the SAT I at Pioneer Students should plan to arrive between 7:45 and

8:00 AM Test room numbers will be posted on a list at the

clock tower entrance Student should have:

– Admission Ticket– Acceptable Identification which would include a school ID,

driver’s license, or passport – No. 2 pencils with erasers– permitted calculator which is almost any four-function,

scientific, or graphing calculator Testing starts about 8:30 AM and will end

about 12:45 PM. Breaks are scheduled between tests.

SAT I SAT I ScoringScoring

SAT I Scores– reported on a scale from 200 to 800– Three scores: Verbal, Mathematics, and Writing

– Raw scores are calculated as follows: Questions answered correctly receive one point Unanswered questions receive no points A fraction of a point is subtracted for incorrect answers to multiple-choice

questions. No points are subtracted for incorrect answers to the SAT I math

questions requiring student-produced responses

Score Range – reflects how a student’s score might vary if the test was taken a number of times, +/- 30 to 40 points

Percentile – compares score to other students’ scores who took the test the same day. Percentiles are given for the nation and the state. A 62% would mean that the student did better that 62% of the group.

Score ReportsScore Reports

Score Reports available about three weeks after the test– View scores online– Receive scores by e-mail– Scores available by telephone

SAT ISAT ISending Score ReportsSending Score Reports

When registering, you can request scores be sent to colleges and/or scholarship programs.– Scores sent include the current and all previous

SAT I scores For a fee, additional score reports may be

sent to colleges and/or scholarship programs:– Online using SAT Score Sender– By Telephone at 1-800-SAT-SCORE

SAT ISAT ITest Preparation AvailableTest Preparation Available

Students can familiarize themselves with the SAT I format by taking the PSAT.

Practice tests are available online and in the career center.– Free copy of “Taking the SAT I” available at the career center

SAT Prep Center at www.collegeboard.com– List of publications and software for sale– Practice questions– Mini-SAT – SAT question of the day– Test taking tips

SAT IISAT II

Scholastic Assessment Test II

Subject Tests

SAT IISAT IIWhat is the SAT II?What is the SAT II?

Test in a specific subject One hour, primarily multiple-choice Some colleges recommend or require

applicants to take 1 to 3 of these subject tests Students should be aware of the college

admission requirements

SAT IISAT IISubject TestsSubject Tests

Biology Ecological/Molecular Chemistry Physics English Literature US History World History Mathematics Level IC Mathematics Level IIC French-reading German-reading Modern Hebrew-reading

Italian-reading Latin-reading Spanish-reading Chinese-with listening French-with listening German-with listening Japanese-with listening Korean-with listening Spanish-with listening

SAT IISAT IIWhen is the SAT II given?When is the SAT II given?

Registration for SAT II same as for SAT I Given most dates that the SAT I is given Some SAT II tests are not available on every

testing date “With listening” language tests are only

offered in November at specified centers– Portable CD player with earphones required.

SAT II should be taken when content is fresh in the student’s mind, at the end of a recently completed course like chemistry and world history

SAT II tests can be retaken

SAT IISAT IIScoring and Score ReportsScoring and Score Reports

Scoring for SAT II is similar to scoring for SAT I

Scores sent to colleges and scholarship programs by designating them on the registration form

Scores can be released:– Online– By telephone request 1-800-SAT-SCORE

SAT IISAT IITest Preparation AvailableTest Preparation Available

Free copy of “Taking the SAT II” available at the Career Center

SAT II Learning Center at www.collegeboard.com

ACTACTAmerican College Testing

Assessment

ACTACTWhat is the ACT?What is the ACT?

National college admissions examination Measures knowledge, understanding, and skills

acquired throughout student’s education Tests cover four skill areas: English, Mathematics,

Reading, Science Reasoning, and optional Writing (beginning 2005)

215 multiple choice questions Students who achieve a qualifying score on the

ACT and demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply to the Michigan Competitive Scholarship Program.

ACTACTWho should take the ACT?Who should take the ACT?

ACT is now part of the Michigan Merit Examination all Juniors will take the ACT in the Spring and the state pays for ACT taken as part of the MME

If qualifying MME scores are not earned the student will be given one free retake paid by the state.

Students are free to register and pay for any of the national test dates.

ACTACTWhen is the ACT given?When is the ACT given?

Administered on six national test dates: - September

– October– December– February– April– June

Testing takes place on a Saturday Sunday and Monday testing is available for

students whose religious faith prohibits testing on Saturday.

ACTACTTest LocationsTest Locations

Ann Arbor test sites include:– Pioneer High School– Huron High School– Washtenaw Community College– Concordia University

ACTACTRegistration Registration

Fee Mail

– Registration packets available at PHS career center

Online Registration is available and encouraged– www.act.org– use major credit card for payment of fee– certain circumstances where online registration

cannot be used Fee waivers are available

– must register using packet– see a counselor and complete a form

ACT ACT RegistrationRegistration

Registration deadline is approximately five weeks prior to the test date

Additional cost for late registration Provisions for:

– changing the test date– missing the test– changing the test center– students with disabilities

Students can register to take the ACT at any testing center.

ACTACTTest DayTest Day

Most PHS students will take the ACT at Pioneer Plan to arrive at 8:00 AM Test room numbers will be posted on a list at the

clock tower entrance Student should have:

– Admission Ticket– Acceptable Identification which would include a school ID,

driver’s license, or passport – No. 2 pencils with erasers– permitted calculator for the math test

(more restrictions than the SAT – see www.act.org)

Actual testing time is 3 hours and 25 minutes Testing starts about 8:30 AM and ends

about 12:30 PM Breaks are scheduled between tests.

ACTACTScoring and Score ReportsScoring and Score Reports

Scores are mailed four to seven weeks after the test date.

View scores online for $8.00 fee Scores reported for each of the four tests (English,

Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning)– Scores reported on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest)– To determine scores on each of the four tests, the number of

questions answered correctly is counted. – Points are not deducted for incorrect answers– These raw scores are converted to scale scores.

The composite score is an average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number.

If the ACT is taken more than once, a separate record is maintained for each test date.

ACTACTSending Score ReportsSending Score Reports

When registering, you can request scores be sent to colleges and scholarship programs.

For a fee, additional score reports to colleges and/or scholarship programs may be sent by completing an Additional Score Report (ASR) found on the last page in the student booklet. Only the records from designated test dates will be released.– Online ASR Request Form– Download ASR Request Form– Telephone Express Service– Request a form by mail– Submit a letter of request to ACT

ACTACTTest Preparation AvailableTest Preparation Available

“Preparing for the ACT Assessment”– booklet available at the career center, includes

test-taking tips and a complete practice testACT Preparation Workshops offered

through Ann Arbor Community Education and Recreation

On the Web Site (www.act.org)– Sample questions

Resources listed online include software and books

SAT vs. ACTSAT vs. ACTSAT ACT

Test Structure Seven-section exam:

Three Verbal, three Math, and one Experimental.

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

Four-section exam:

English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning.

An experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly experimental.

Test Content Math: up to trigonometry.

No science section

Reading: one or two passages per section, with roughly one minute to answer each question.

Stresses vocabulary

A test of strategy and ability to take tests.

Math: up to trigonometry.

Science section included.

Reading: four passages with less than one minute to answer each question.

Stresses grammar.

A test of time management and studiousness.

Penalty for Wrong Answers?

Yes No

SAT vs. ACTSAT vs. ACT

SAT ACTHow the test is scored/highest possible score

200-800 for each subject, added together for a combined score.

A 1600 is the highest possible score.

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

Are all scores sent? Yes. A score report will include all of the scores the student received on every SAT taken.

No. Students can choose which scores are to be sent.

For more information Educational Testing Service (ETS)

(609) 771-7600

www.ets.org

The College Board

www.collegeboard.com

ACT, Inc.

(319) 337-1270

www.act.org

APAP

Advanced Placement Courses

Advanced Placement Exams

AP CoursesAP Courses Advanced Placement Courses give students a chance to try

college level work in specific subjects while in high school. Courses offered by Pioneer High School which would

prepare students for AP examinations include:– AP English (preparation for English Literature AP Exam)– AC English (preparation for English Language AP Exam)

– BC Calculus – AB & BC Calculus (preparation for Calculus (AB)(BC) AP Exam) – AP U.S. History– AP Biology– AP Chemistry– AP Physics– AP American Government and Politics– AP Computer Science– AP Statistics– AP Latin– AP Spanish– AP French– AP German– Humanities (preparation for AP Exams in Art History, English Literature,

World History )

AP ExamsAP ExamsWhat are AP Exams?What are AP Exams?

AP Exams test a student’s ability to perform at a college level.

Exams contain either an essay or problem-solving section and a section of multiple-choice questions. The modern language exams also have a speaking component.

“Qualifying” scores on Advanced Placement Exams may entitle a student to credit or advanced placement at college.

AP ExamsAP ExamsExcept where designated, PHS offers courses designed to prepare Except where designated, PHS offers courses designed to prepare

the student for the AP Examthe student for the AP Exam Art History (PHS: Humanities) Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Computer Science A Computer Science B Economics (no PHS course) English Literature

(PHS: AP English) Environmental Science

(no PHS course) European History

(PHS: Humanities) French (Language) (Literature) German Language

Government and Politics (Comparative) (U.S.)

Human Geography (no PHS course)

Latin (Literature) (Vergil) Music Theory* Physics (C) Psychology (no PHS course) Spanish (Language) (Literature) Statistics Studio Art* U.S. History World History*

* help available on an individual basis

AP ExamsAP ExamsWho takes the AP Exams?Who takes the AP Exams?

Any student can register to take an AP exam. A student does not have to take an AP course

to take an AP exam. AP courses and exams typically taken in the

junior and senior year. Students can take an exam more than one

time. Students taking AP exams will miss class

time.

AP ExamsAP ExamsWhen are the AP Exams given?When are the AP Exams given?

Administered on a national schedule in May of each year.– AP Exams are usually scheduled during the first two

weeks in May Suggested starting times are 8:00 AM for the

morning session and 1:00 PM for the afternoon session.

Some exams are scheduled for the same time slot. If your student has a scheduling conflict, contact Joyce Williams.

Calendar of exam times available at www.collegeboard.com

AP ExamsAP ExamsTest LocationsTest Locations

Large convention facilities in the Ann Arbor area

Washtenaw Intermediate School District Local High Schools Buildings and Room Numbers are available

from Joyce Williams at PHS Career Center

APAPAP Exam RegistrationAP Exam Registration

Fee– approximately $90 (2007)

Register at Pioneer High School at the General Office

Registration for AP Exams occurs in February Fee reductions are available for students

demonstrating financial need.

AP ExamsAP ExamsTest DayTest Day

Most exams take two to three hours to complete Students should have:

– No. 2 pencils with erasers– black or dark blue pen– Pioneer code number– Approved calculator for the Calculus, Chemistry,

Physics, or Statistics exams– Ruler/Straight edge for Physics Exam– Social Security Number

Receive AP Candidate Pack– numbers on pack will be the official AP number for

that testing period

AP ExamsAP ExamsScoringScoring

AP Exams are scored from 1 to 5 as follows:– 5 - Extremely well-qualified– 4 - Well-qualified– 3 - Qualified– 2 - Possibly qualified– 1 - No recommendation

For a score of 2 or greater, a student may qualify to receive college credit or advanced placement

It is at the discretion of the individual college as to whether or not college credit or advance standing (i.e. sophomore placement in a particular subject area) will be given.

AP ExamsAP ExamsGrade ReportsGrade Reports

Grade reports mailed in July Grade report sent to the college the student

designated on the exam answer sheet Grade report sent to PHS Grade reports are cumulative, included are

grades on AP Exams taken in the current year and in previous years unless a request has been made to withhold previous grades

For a fee, additional grade reports can be sent:– Complete second part of AP Grade Report– Telephone or e-mail request to send AP

Transcripts

AP ExamsAP ExamsWithholding a GradeWithholding a GradeCanceling a GradeCanceling a Grade

A written request can be made to withhold an AP grade from a report.

To permanently cancel an AP grade, complete an AP Cancellation Form and return it to AP Services no later than June 15 following the exam.

AP ExamsAP ExamsTest Preparation AvailableTest Preparation Available

Enroll in year-long course at PioneerSeek guidance on readiness from

AP course teacherSee www.collegeboard.com

– online reviews– list of publications and videos– tips for taking AP Exams

Release of Test ScoresRelease of Test Scores When students take the SAT I, SAT II, PSAT,

ACT, or AP Exams, scores are sent to PHS. “Release of Test Scores” Form either gives

or does not give authorization to PHS to release test scores along with a student’s transcript

“Release of Test Scores” Form included in summer mailing to seniors

Completed forms should be returned to PHS at registration.

Some colleges may require that scores be sent directly from the testing agency.

MEAP / MMEMEAP / MME

MEAP Fall 2007

MME Spring 2008

MEAPMEAP

Ninth graders take the MEAP Social Studies Exam in the fall.

MMEMMEWhat is the MME?What is the MME?

The Michigan Merit Exam is the revised state assessment program for the high school level.

Full implementation of the program will start in the Spring of 2007 as approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

The MME will be based on the ACT college entrance exam, Work Keys plus several Michigan components developed to assess Michigan curriculum which is not assessed by the ACT.

MMEMMEWhat is the MME High School Test?What is the MME High School Test?

Subject areas tested: Reading, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Social Studies

Seniors who did not qualify for the Michigan Promise Scholarship may retake the MME this fall or spring 2008.

Qualify means receiving 1 or 2 on the math, reading, science and writing tests.

MMEMMETimelineTimeline

The full MME will be administered in Spring 2008 to high school juniors.

The ACT will be administered on one common day statewide

The next day the WorkKeys and Michigan mathematics assessment will be administered

The third day the Michigan science and social studies assessment will be administered

MMEMMEMichigan Promise Michigan Promise

ScholarshipScholarship Scholarship provides up to $4000 to high school

graduates to attend Michigan post secondary institution or military service academy.

Money dispersed after meeting qualifications– Scores of 1 or 2 receive $1000 for each of the first two

years.– GPA of 2.5 after completing 2 years of college receive

the final $2000.– Students without qualifying scores may still qualify for

full amount by successfully completing 2 years of college with a GPA of 2.5.

– More Information: www.Michigan.gov/promise

Produced byProduced by

Pioneer High SchoolPioneer High SchoolPTSO and Joyce Williams, PTSO and Joyce Williams, Director, External TestingDirector, External Testing