Testing and Senior Schedules

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Testing and Senior Schedules
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PSAT

• Students received results in December
• Good diagnostic of strengths and weaknesses
• Good guide for SAT preparation
• National Merit Qualifying Exam as a junior

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SAT or ACT

• Required by most colleges
• Colleges will use best scores
• UC takes best score from ONE sitting
• Others may use best individual math, writing, and
  critical reading scores from different sittings
  for a total highest score

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SAT SUBJECT TESTS

• UC no longer requires them, but certain majors
  may recommend for admission
• CSU does not require subject tests
• Several colleges may require or strongly
  recommend check policy
• Offered in Math, Foreign Language, History,
  Literature and Science

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SAT vs. ACT

• What are the major differences?

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What is the test structure?

• SAT 10 section exam
• 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, and one
  Experimental. The Experimental section is masked
  to look like a regular section is unscored
• ACT 4 section exam English, Math, Reading,
  and Science Reasoning. Writing optional
  Experimental section added only to certain dates
  and is clearly noted.

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What is the test content?

• SAT
• Math Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II.
  
• Reading Sentence completion, short and long
  critical reading passages, reading comprehension.
  
• Writing Essay, questions testing grammar,
  usage, and word choice.
• ACT
• Math Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II,
  Trig
• Science Charts, experiments.
• Reading Reading comprehension, grammar usage.
• Writing option - essay

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How is the test scored?

• SAT 200-800 per section, added together for a
  combined score. 2400 is the highest possible
  combined score.
• Penalty for wrong answers
• ACT 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a
  composite score. A 36 is the highest possible
  composite score.
• No wrong answer penalty

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Are all scores sent to schools?

• SAT YES and NO. Score Choice is option.
  However, many schools still want all scores sent.
  Students need to check individual college policy.
• ACT NO. There has always been a Score Choice
  option. Students can choose which schools will
  receive their scores AND which scores the schools
  will see.

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When is each test administered?

• SAT
• Seven times per year
• Offered 4 times per year at each district school.
• ACT
• Six times per year
• Not offered in our district.

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Planning for the exams

• Sign up for exams at www.collegeboard.com or
  www.actstudent.org
• Plan to take SAT or ACT in spring of junior year.
• Plan to take SAT Subject tests in spring of
  junior year, if needed.
• Additional SAT test dates in October, November
  and December of senior year.
• ACT in June or September.

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Test Preparation

• Many different ways to prepare
• Best method depends on how student learns
• Independent learners can prepare very
  effectively on their own
• Some students may need structure of a specific
  program and schedule
• Can help with test anxiety.

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Test Preparation Programs

• Individual, small group, and regular classroom
  sized courses.
• Compare costs compare programs - many to choose
  from!
• Extra workload with homework

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How do colleges use these test scores for
Eligibility?

• UC uses the SAT or the ACT scores and GPA in
  college prep classes
• CSU uses just the Math and Reading scores from
  SAT or just the composite score from the ACT, and
  GPA in college prep classes

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CSU Eligibility Formulas

• Using SAT scores
• GPA x 800 SAT CR Math total
• Using ACT scores
• GPA x 200 10 x ACT Composite
• Score must be 2900 or above for eligibility
• Automatic eligibility if GPA is 3.0 and above.

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UC Eligibility

• Earn a minimum 3.0 GPA (with grades of C or
  better) in 15 courses, with 11 completed before
  senior year
• a. History/Social science 2 years
• b. English 4 years
• c. Math 3 years
• d. Lab science 2 years
• e. Foreign Language 2 years
• f. Visual/performing arts 1 year
• g. College prep elective 1 year
• SAT or ACT test scores

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Does eligibility mean admission?

• Distinction between eligibility for the system
  and admission to a specific campus.
• Eligibility also assumes students have all a-g
  course requirements completed.
• The more competitive campuses set different,
  higher scores for admission.
• Impacted campuses vs. Impacted majors

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UC Comprehensive Review

• If student meets eligibility requirements,
  application will be reviewed comprehensively,
  emphasizing academic achievement as well as a
  wide range of personal accomplishments
• Students chances of admission varies by
  selectivity of different campuses choose
  carefully and broadly

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Admission Websites

• UC www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions
• CSU www.csumentor.edu
• All California colleges
• www.californiacolleges.edu
• Many private and other public colleges may use
• www.commonapp.org

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Planning Senior Schedules
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An Important Process

• Individual student conference (s) with counselors
  will begin in February
• Opportunity to make sure students have all
  graduation and college admission requirements in
  place
• Strengthen record in elective areas
• Make plans to makeup D grades

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Course requirements for Admission

• UC and CSU course requirements are aligned.
  Both systems use the same a-g list.
• Other college course requirements may vary!
• Research other college requirements in the next
  few months
• College/Career Center and college websites are
  useful in this process
• Make changes in Senior courses if necessary!

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Tips for Planning Senior Schedules

• Rigor of senior year curriculum is important!
• Senior year does count!
• Many colleges require transcripts from first
  semester senior year.
• Colleges expect the same level of achievement as
  presented in applications

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Final Word on Senior Schedules

• Choose courses in academic areas that will
  challenge you.
• Dont over schedule!
• Take courses that make sense given your interests
  and previous experiences.
• Do well in those classes!

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What should Juniors be doing for the rest of this
year?

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January and February

• Prepare for Spring SAT or ACT
• Sign up for SAT I or ACT at
• www.collegeboard.com
• www.actstudent.org

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March

• Students should have seen their counselors at
  least once to discuss senior schedules and their
  college planning process.
• Plan Spring Break college visit?

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April-May

• Attend East Bay College Connection/ College Fair
  at St. Marys College, April 14
• Take SAT or ACT
• For students applying to private colleges
• Think about teacher recommendations!Who to
  ask? How to ask? When to ask

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June

• Take SAT Subject Tests, if needed
• Do well on final exams! These are the last grades
  UC will see.

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Summer

• Visit colleges
• Take enrichment classes
• Do community service
• Pursue a special interest
• Attend summer school to make up D grades if
  necessary.

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August

• Get organized! Use Naviance to
• Update resume
• Complete Student Statement
• Ask parents to complete Parent Brag Sheet
• Come up with preliminary college list
• Begin work on college essays and add to journal
  section in Naviance file

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September

• Check list of college visits in Naviance or the
  College Career Center. Sign up to attend via
  Naviance!
• Talk with your counselor soon if you think you
  might be doing Early Action or Early Decision
• Counselors make Senior English Class Visits
• and begin to check in with ALL their seniors.

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Thank you all for coming this evening!

• Please do not hesitate to contact your students
  counselor with individual questions.