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
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