Presented by the Ridge High School Counseling Department

December 1, 2015

The College Admissions Process for Parents:

Standardized Testing

Ridge High SchoolCounseling Department

Mr. Francis T. Howlett, Jr., Principal

Mrs. Jillian Shadis, District Supervisor of School Counseling 

School CounselorsMs. Marguerite CahillMrs. Carrie Capozzi

Mrs. Christina Marshall (for Ms. Wu)Ms. Rebecca MuraviewMs. Kimberlee Sweet

Mrs. Jackie TreanorMrs. Katherine Van Der Stad

Mrs. Alexandra Vazquez (for Mrs. Cuccaro)

On Tonight’s Agenda…

➢ SATs: Current and New➢ ACTs➢ SAT Subject Tests➢ TOEFL➢ Test Preparation➢ College Admissions Planning Calendar

Goal

Reduce anxiety!

Current SAT

● Should my child take the current SAT?● Does this version “count” anymore? How?● Can you still superscore the old version?● How much testing is too much?

Last test date: January 23, 2016

SAT/ACT DifferencesRedesigned SAT

(rSAT)(beginning March 2016)

ACT

Type of Assessment? Aptitude Test Achievement Test

Test content?

ReadingWriting & LanguageMathEssay (Optional)

English MathReadingScienceWriting (Optional)

Timing?3 hrs. (w/o Essay)3 hrs. 50 min. (w/ Essay)

2 hrs. 55 min. (w/o Writing)3 hrs. 25 min. (w/ Writing)

Scoring?

Reading & Writing = 200-800Math = 200-800Total = Sum (400 - 1600)

Essay = 2-8 on each of three dimensions; essay results reported separately.

English = 1 to 36Math = 1 to 36Reading = 1 to 36Science = 1 to 36Composite = Average (1 to 36) Writing = 2 to 12 and it counts as 1/3 of the total English score, if taken.

Penalty for wrong answers? No No

Superscoring

To “superscore” is to take the highest score from each test section, regardless of test date.

Superscoring

CR M

March 560 550

May 560 480

June 600 500

Total = 1150 (out of 1600)

rSAT

Superscoring

E M R S

April 24 26 24 21

May 23 27 22 21

June 22 27 22 20

Total = 24 (out of 36)

ACT

Superscoring

Superscoring within the same test

Superscoring across tests

Current SAT/New SAT Concordance

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/college-board-guide-implementing-redesigned-sat-concordance-installment-3.pdf

Information published by College Board in October 2015:

● Timeline:○ “Final concordance tables will be available on the

College Board website in May 2016 to link the current SAT to the redesigned SAT.”

● Concording Scores for the Class of 2017○ “Given that most applicants for the Class of 2017 will

submit redesigned SAT scores only, most colleges will convert current SAT scores to redesigned SAT scores for this cohort.”

SAT/ACT FAQs

● How do students decide between the two tests?

● When should students take the test(s)?● Which score(s) should be sent to colleges?● What is there for students who just aren’t

good test takers?● Should I take the Writing section?

Class of 2015 MeanCR 589Math 611Writing 581

Class of 2015 Average

Composite (Does not include writing)

26.3

English 26.5

Math 26.5

Reading 26.5

Science 25.8

Writing (Optional) 26.3

SATs ACTs

Ridge Testing Trends

Class of 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

SATs 344 341 331 374 372ACTs 292 280 286 287 243

Number of Test-Takers

Test-Optional Schools

www.fairtest.org

“Over 815 four-year colleges and universities across the U.S., acting on the belief that ‘test scores do not equal merit,’ do not use the SAT or ACT to make admissions decisions about a substantial number of their incoming freshmen classes. These institutions range widely in size and mission.” ~ FairTest

SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as the “SAT-II”)

● Some colleges recommend or require them● 20 subject tests available in five general subject areas

(English, Math, Science, SS, WL)● Most are offered on the same dates as the SAT Reasoning

Test● Each test is one hour long● Can take up to 3 in one sitting● Ridge AP (and some honors) classes prepare students for

these exams

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)● Used to demonstrate proficiency in English

● Taken by international students, or by students whose primary language spoken at home is something other than English

● Divided into four sections: listening, structure, reading, and writing

● Internet-based test.

www.ets.org/toefl

Test Preparation● Private classes and/or tutors

● Per district policy, we are unable to make any specific recommendations

● Contacts listed on the counseling website

● Self-instruction with prep books

● Khan Academy

● Method Test Prep 2.0● Free, online test preparation for both the SAT and ACT● Accessed through the student’s Naviance account

(log in; click on the MTP link on the left hand side)

● Highlights: ◦ Both SATs and ACT◦ Breaks practice into 15 minute tasks◦ Audio/video explanations of how to solve every question◦ Listen to a professional tutor explain the concepts and questions

that they are struggling with ◦ Immediate feedback on every question◦ Tracks performance and indicates strengths and weaknesses◦ Practice quizzes and full-length practice tests ◦ Practice questions and test-taking tips 

Method Test Prep 2.0

Method Test Prep 2.0

Method Test Prep 2.0

● Understand the College Application Timeline and Standardized Testing Options (Parent Nights in December/January)

● Take the PSAT

● Consider taking SAT Subject Test(s)

● Sophomore Career Module

● Register for the NCAA, if necessary

Sophomore Year

SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER

● Sign up for and take the PSAT

● Visit College Fairs

● Attend College Representative visits to Ridge

Junior Year – Fall Semester

DECEMBER – JANUARY

● Junior Module:Navigating the College Selection Process

● PSAT results distributed

● Financial Aid Night (December 16th @ Bernards HS)

● Parent Night: College Process for Parents - Part II (January 21st @ Ridge HS)

● Naviance Training for Juniors

Junior Year – Fall Semester

Junior Year – Spring SemesterFEBRUARY – APRIL

● Continue the college search process

● Scheduling for 2016-17

● Consider taking SAT / ACT (consult your counselor)

● Junior Conferences

SPRING BREAK● Visit Colleges● Refine your College

List

Junior Year – Spring Semester

MAY – JUNE

● AP tests

● Take the SAT/ SAT Subject Tests / ACT

● Arrange for letters of recommendation

● College Presentation (May 25th, 7pm @ Ridge)

● Complete Part A of the Senior Packet (due June 1)

Summer Before Senior YearJULY – AUGUST

● Continue visiting colleges● Schedule college interviews (if necessary)● Begin to finalize your list of colleges● Create a Common Application account after

August 1st● Update your Naviance account● Brainstorm/draft essays● Complete Part B of the Senior Packet

(due September 19, 2016)

Next Month...

➢ College Vocabulary➢ Finding the right college➢ Evaluation of the application ➢ Naviance

The College Admissions Process for Parents:

The College Search

January 21, 20167:00 PM

Ridge PAC

Q&A