Sophomore Night Thinking Ahead

Transcription

1 Sophomore Night Thinking Ahead NAVIGATING WITH LESS STRESS AND MORE SUCCESS! MAY 20, 2015

2 TODAY S AGENDA 1. Junior Year 2. Standardized Tests 3. Review Timeline 4. Online Resources 5. Devise Final Summer Plans 6. Q&A

3 Deep breath! We ve got you covered Don t worry about taking copious notes. This slide deck will be available at: www. FJA website

4 Junior Year Grades, Grades, Grades Keep Rigorous Schedule Improve Study Skills Get assistance if needed Colleges look at grade trends- work toward upward trend! 11th grade is more important than 9th grade

5 Scheduling for Junior Year Reviewed current course requests Schedules worked on now & throughout summer Final schedules given out first day of school August 25 th AP Class- All AP students will meet with department to obtain summer assignments and pick up textbooks by June 1.

6 How To Be Successful Push yourself with rigorous classes Don t wait for problem to happen Be Proactive Develop strong study skills and time management techniques Begin preparing for standardized exams

7 Get Involved...Get Involved... Find your passion, then follow it! Develop as a leader in that area Select school activities that demonstrate your passion or leadership Find what is available; community, synagogue, local groups, recreational sports Volunteer...FJA requirement

8 Standardized Tests ASPIRE TEST PSAT SAT SAT SUBJECT TEST ACT

9 PSAT- 10 th and 11 th Grade What is it? PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) Test is important as practice SAT Next PSAT/NMSQT: October 14, 2015 Not used in the college admission process Based on redesigned SAT Review scores online PSAT scores not sent to colleges Go over answers, identify areas of strength and weakness

10 Collegeboard: PSAT Scores

11 College Admissions Tests: SAT and ACT Nearly all colleges require ACT or SAT with writing Some top tier schools will require at least 2 SAT Subject Tests Most colleges accept either test

12 SAT and ACT Register at least one month in advance Test administered Sunday/Saturday Late registration available for increased fee Accommodations needed- talk to Mrs. Morais

13 Tests? PSAT-OCT.14, 2015 ACT WITH WRITING Used most often by students at FJA Curriculum based, 6x a year SAT WITH WRITING Critical thinking test, 7 x a year SAT II SUBJECT TESTS Check which colleges require them Show your strength in subject matter 7 x a year AP EXAMS Some colleges may use to substitute for SAT II s, once a year

14 The New New SAT: A History Lesson The SAT was a 1600 point exam for many, many years. In 2005, the 1600 SAT became the 2400 SAT. This has been referred to by many as the new SAT. In March 2016, the current 2400 SAT is being replaced by a new 1600 SAT which will look nothing like the original 1600 SAT.

15 How is the SAT changing? College Board has announced it will be making 8 key changes to the SAT. 8 Key Changes 1. Relevant Words in Context 2. Command of Evidence 3. Essay Analyzing a Source 4. Focus on Math that Matters Most 5. Problems Grounded in Real-World Contexts 6. Analysis in Science and in History/Social Science 7. Founding Documents & Great Global Conversations 8. No Penalty for Wrong Answers To learn more about the questions associated with these changes, visit

16 How will the new SAT be scored? 2400 SAT Available until January Section Scores ( ) Reading Math Writing* *Writing score is a composite of a student s grammar and essay subscores SAT Available starting March Section Scores ( ) Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Math 3 Test Scores (10-40) Reading Writing & Language Math 2 Cross-Test Scores (10-40) Analysis in Science Analysis in History/Social Science

17 But wait! Michigan schools now use SAT! Starting March ACT used in MEAP high school exam Became a major piece of the state's testing system 2016 SAT replaces ACT in MEAP Exam for public schools State Decision DOES NOT IMPACT FJA STUDENTS Colleges and universities accept scores from both exams ACT has been the more popular exam M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress), will replace the 44-year-old MEAP The College Board's SAT test is respected and used around the country

18 ACT American College Test The ACT consists of five parts: 1. English 2. Mathematics 3. Reading 4. Science 5. Writing The entire ACT test is scored from 16 to 36. Perfect score = 36

19 The New ACT The shift in the ACT began in Spring o o Math has become more difficult. Emphasis on more challenging statistics and probability questions. The reading section now includes a dual reading passage. More changes coming in Fall o o An enhanced writing test will be implemented beginning this fall with new scoring. New scoring goes into effect. New scores include: STEM Score Career Readiness Indicator Test Complexity Indicator English Language Arts Score (ELA)

20 ACT American College Test

21 Testing Best Practices 1. Usually do not take an official exam as practice test. o Very few students are happy with their first efforts. 2. Select the test carefully. o Choose the test that is right for the student. o If your families need help, get tutoring. o Try free test online, visit counseling office for help. 3. Select the test dates carefully. o Students should have a game plan for testing by end of sophomore year.

22 Testing Best Practices 4. Prepare diligently. o o o Set a time frame (no more than 2 months) and a study schedule (2-3 sessions per week). Use official test materials whenever possible. Take full-length practice tests as a part of practice. 5. Take the selected exam on 2 back-to-back test dates with a 3 rd date in reserve. o o Students will remember the strategies they learned during preparation and can build upon them between test dates. If students are diligent, they can be done with testing as quickly as possible. 6. Don t forget to factor in SAT Subject Exams. (May & June test dates for Soph. & Jr.) o Some schools still require or strongly recommend SAT subject exams.

23 Timeline for Resources + Testing Changes Resources Available Now - Practice questions for PSAT July Khan Academy s Prep goes live July College Board s Official Study Guide is released Changes to the Tests October 2015 Class of 2017 takes the new PSAT/NMSQT January 2016 Final administration of the current (2400) SAT March 2016 First administration of the new (1600) SAT

24 Considerations for the Class of 2017 Most colleges will accept 3 tests for the Class of 2017: - Current (2400) SAT - New (1600) SAT - ACT Keys to Success 1. Get started early 2. Create Testing Calendar

25 Test Prep! Many companies are taking advantage of the stress and anxiety around the new SAT to make a quick buck. Avoid all third-party SAT test materials until January Check which tests they are using for practice. Brown Reading Systems works well, offered this summer at Cranbrook. Great for enhancing test skills and reading skills.

26 Beware of faulty test prep products. Unfortunately, there s very little real NEW ACT prep material available. Many current ACT books are outdated, but hopefully you can get a new book this summer! Until then, I recommend McGraw-Hill s 10 Practice ACTs to supplement the official materials.

27 Testing Resources Kahn Academy- Free, Online Schmoop- On FJA Website, Online, Free BRS Summer Study Skills ACT/SAT Program- August Cranbrook Schools

28 Timeline for the Class of 2017 Review Important Dates

29 Naviance and Career Cruising Key Resources for FJA Students and Parents

30 FJA Resources: Naviance and Career Cruising #1: Naviance: Online College Planning Tool #2: Facilitates and manages: college research, college visits, college applications, career search #3: Students have Naviance Account #4Parents have own unique Naviance Account

31 Where to find Naviance link?

32 Naviance Link

33 College Planning Tools Research colleges.

34 Comparison of old/new PSAT/SAT Career Cruising Interests Majors Colleges Careers

35 Finalize Summer Plans Job Shadow College Visits Internship- Part Time Job Volunteer Summer Opportunities: take class at OCC, tutor students, learn sign language, raise seeing eye dog, learn CPR, read at least 5 books, build an iphone app, help at sport camp, train for marathon, take photography class, raise money for nonprofit, take online class, volunteer at mobile medical clinic, learn musical instrument, read about NTA activities.

36 Q & A Please complete and hand in the evaluation form. Thank you for coming. Presentation will be available on FJA website College Bound Tab Sophomore CheckList