Irvine High School College Testing

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1 Irvine High School College Testing Racquel Reber Director of Outreach The Princeton Review (949)

2 Agenda SAT & ACT Quick Facts & Misconceptions The Princeton Review + Testing Timeline Q & A 2

3 SAT vs. ACT SAT Frequency? Seven times per year Six times per year What is tested? What is the test structure? Length (w/o breaks) Penalty for wrong answers? Math, Reading, Writing, Essay Ten sections with a masked experimental ACT Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Optional Essay Four sections. Optional experimental clearly marked 3 hours, 45 minutes 3 hours, 25 minutes (With Essay) Yes How is it scored? 800 per section, 2400 total Average Scores Math: 516 Critical Reading: 501 Writing: 492 No 36 per section, 36 total English: 20.5 Math: 21.1 Reading: 21.3 Science: 20.9

4 What s on the SAT? 4

5 What s on the ACT? Essay technically optional, but YOU SHOULD DO THE ESSAY! 5

6 What s a good score? A good score is the score that helps YOU get into AND PAY FOR your top-choice college. National Average SAT 1500 (500 per section) ACT 21 Solid High Score Highly Selective

7 SAT v. ACT: What s the difference? SAT ACT Length 3 hours, 45 minutes 3 and ½ hours (with essay) Timing Overall Structure Scoring Penalty for Wrong Answer 10 sections, shorter timing for each: 10, 20 and 25 minutes Less content, but trickier language Sections are in various orders per section and then added together Deducts ¼ point for every wrongmultiple choice answer 4 subjects, longer timing for each: 35, 45 and 60 minutes; pacing is crucial Harder content, but more straightforward Subjects are always in the same order: English, Math, Reading, Science 1-36 per test and then averaged for a Composite No penalty for wrong answers Fee $51 $36.50 or $52.50 with Writing 7

8 SAT v. ACT: What s the difference? Math Vocabulary SAT Arithmetic, Algebra I, Geometry, a little Algebra II Specifically tested in Sentence Completions ACT Reading Short, long and dual passages 4 long passages Same as SAT, but also includes 4 Trigonometry questions Not tested outside reading passages Grammar Punctuation not tested Punctuation is tested Science Essay Not tested Mandatory always 1 st section Science Reasoning test (not actual science content) Technically optional but you should do it 8

9 What about the other tests? PSAT SAT Subject Tests AP Tests Shorter, easier version of the SAT Not used for admissions Qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship competition when taken in 11 th grade Administered in schools once a year in October One-hour subject specific tests required by some schools (some want 1 and some want 2) Multiple-choice, scored on a scale (with a penalty for wrong answers) You can take up to three tests in one sitting (recommend no more than two) Not required by schools but impressive: shows rigor Tests have multiple choice and essay components Scoring scale is 1-5 No penalty for wrong answers Many colleges will give credit for AP scores of 4 or 5 9

10 Timeline Considerations When should I take my SAT/ACT? Time to prep properly. Summer before Jr year ideal, if not before end of Jr How many times will you take the SAT and/or ACT? Prep for one, Plan for two, Leave time for three How much prep do you need? Depends on your goal so however much is right FOR YOU! What extra-curricular activities do you have that will impact your prep schedule? Are you taking AP tests? Do you need to take SAT Subject Tests? Will you be submitting any early applications?

11 11th Grade Take Official SAT or ACT SAT ACT January February (not in NY) March April May June June September October October November December December Take Official SAT Subject Exams Senior Year is used for backup test dates

12 The College Admissions Tests What are the five major standardized tests geared toward College Admission? The PSAT The SAT The ACT The SAT Subject Tests & AP Exams

13 Now What? Ready to Prep! Last year, The Princeton Review helped more than 3.5 million students realize their college dreams. Over 4 out of 5 Princeton Review graduates who got into college were accepted into at least one of their top choice schools. 99% of Princeton Review graduates who have applied to college have been accepted.

14 College Admissions and Testing Racquel Reber Director of Outreach The Princeton Review (949)