College Entrance Tests SRJC, PSAT, SAT, ACT, CLEP, AP

College Entrance Tests SRJC, PSAT, SAT, ACT, CLEP, AP

College Entrance Tests SRJC : Math and English Placement tests which can be taken more than once. These indicate which level Math/English students will take. Goal: To qualify to take College level Math and English classes right away which are transferable and meet the GE requirements for completion of AA or transfer to a 4 year university. Students can take these tests in high school to qualify for taking JC courses in high school. Taking these tests in high school has no impact on their grades at RVCS. They are designed for use by the JC only.

Register Online For Tests SAT: www.collegeboard.com ACT: www.actstudent.org RVCS s school code: 053324 The Collegeboard s mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. They are a not-forprofit membership organization committed to excellence and equity in education. The goal for SAT (and RVCS) is to ready students to handle college without mediation when they arrive.

Online Student Score Reports- SAT *Scores are released 16 days after each administration. hnew scores maximum is 800 x 3. Private schools still using 800 x 2. CSU doesn t use writing for admission but uses it for enrollment (English/Math placement) (If SAT/ACT scores are high enough CSU applicants do not have to take the Early Start program. Average score is now 500 x 3 if they add the writing section. hfor UC purposes a good score is 600 x 3 (minimum). hfor CSU, due to competitiveness, the higher the better. Scores should be looked at separately. This a better measure of readiness/skill in each area. UC still looks at the best sitting. CSU requires minimum SAT score or students need remedial work before being accepted.

SAT/ACT Security Enhancements: Student photo and high school code required at registration. Changes accepted up to 2 wks prior to test day; wait list status available until 5 days before test day. Photo ID and Admission Ticket required for entry. Staff have photo with name and required ID checks when collecting answer sheets.

ACT Established College Readiness Benchmarks College English Composition: at least an 19 on ACT English Test College Algebra: at least a 22 on ACT Mathematics Test College Biology: at least a 24 on ACT Science Test

PSAT This is not a pass/fail test. It is an actual SAT test that is shortened to give a sampling of all different types of questions students will find on the SAT. Our English and Math departments at RVCS incorporate sample questions and problems within their program but it is still good for student to go through the practice tests they receive when they sign up for the PSAT. This booklet is given to students to help prepare them for the PSAT. They can also go on line to www.collegeboard.com/psat to get additional sample questions, tips on how to prepare, and more.

What does the PSAT cover? A couple questions are hard for everyone in the country for a reason. 90-95% who take the PSAT get 1 or 2 really hard questions wrong. PSAT math doesn t go beyond Geometry (SAT includes a few questions of Alg. II) Those who take the PSAT even once, significantly improve their SAT scores up to 80 points per section. Goal: To Become better readers and problem solvers.

Other advantages to taking the PSAT PSAT enables students to enroll in a free on-line college and career planning tools program called Quickstart which is available to all students who took the PSAT for as long as a student is in high school. But, students must sign up using a code they get with their PSAT scores report. Students get a personalized online college planning kit powered by student s test results. Receive My Online Score Report: Review test questions, answers, and explanations. My College Matches : Based on the student s home state and selected major. My Major and Career Matches : Based on the major chosen when the student took the test. Provides access to a program called My Road.

Advantages to taking the PSAT When taken as a junior, scores are entered into the NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses this test as an initial screening of entrants in its annual academic competitions for recognition and college scholarships. When you take the PSAT you will get a score sheet and your test book returned to you. The score sheet will go over all of the answers to all of the questions and what you put down. You can cross reference each question with the test book and figure out what you did wrong.

Importance Of The PSAT The PSAT/NMSQT lets you: * Practice for the SAT Enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions for recognition and scholarships as a junior. Assess your skills in critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing Through a question-byquestion review of answers students will be able to see which answers they got right or wrong/copy of test book The PSAT lets you: Get specific suggestions on how to improve your skills Compare your academic skills with those of other college bound students Ask colleges to send you information Get information about college majors and careers Access to on-line information from My Road & QuickStart www.collegeboard.com

Who Should Take The PSAT/NMSQT? Typically, students take the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year of high school. Multiple PSAT tests improves chances of doing well on the SAT. Students take the test to get a head start on improving academic skills needed for success in college and to access program helps like My Road and QuickStart which is the new SAT Study Plan. It offers personalized list of colleges, majors, and careers based on PSAT scores.

QuickStart Online Career, Major, and College Planning Tool Free For All High School PSAT/NMSQT Test-Takers Features include: Personality Profiler: the online assessment students take to learn about their personality type and receive major career suggestions In depth profiles of academic fields/majors Articles covering over 450 occupations Personal planner to chart the path to college. Student uses their ID # (In Gold) from the PSAT score report to access information Student can access Quick Start throughout their entire high school career

BIG FUTURE Collegeboard s new free Step-by Step Guide to College Planning (don t have to take the PSAT to access this program. Go to www.bigfuture.org to create an account. Highlights: videos (> 300), new College Search tool, college profiles, personalized action plan for each students, simple getting started tools

What about the SAT Subject Tests? The UC will no longer be requiring them after 2012. However, some may be highly recommended, like Biology, for a biology major and used as a placement or entrance test to a specific major.

More SAT helps Sign up for the Question of the Day to be emailed to you. A questions from each of the three categories (Critical Reasoning, Math, Writing) is emailed to you every day. You can choose to answer it or delete it. If you work the problem or click on the answer it will tell you if you got it right/wrong and the percentage of students who have answered that question that day and the % of who got it right and who got it wrong.

Conclusion The best way to get ready for the SAT or ACT is to take a challenging course load and study. Be a good reader. Taking the practice tests just helps you to become more familiar with the format. But remember, a little practice goes a long way.

Advanced Placement (AP) RVCS students can and have taken AP exams (cost is approximately $85 per test). Students must register on line at www.collegeboard.com for spring testing. Payment for exams are in the spring so you can back out closer to the test date and it won t cost you. AP courses are intended to create an academic environment for students to be able to study and learn study skills so they will have the best chance to finish college. RVCS already has the academic level and environment for students who wish to work to succeed in college. We had a student take two AP exams without using any on line material provided at their website and passed with scores acceptable to universities. Taking these tests, or UC/CSU transferable courses at the JC also weigh more at UC for ELC eligibility. Colleges/universities weight courses and refigure GPA s based on level of courses taken. RVCS doesn t. RVCS has an unweighted GPA. (4.0 is highest GPA possible)

CLEP (College Level Examination Program) Information is available at www.collegeboard.com but this program offers 33 exams in 5 subject areas for a cost of $80. (There may be an additional coverage tacked on by the institution giving the test to cover other expenses). If a student passes a test a student can earn 3-12 lower division GE college units toward graduation. Also available at this website is the list of colleges that accept CLEP (not all do UC does not), what courses they accept, what score they require in order to accept it, and what colleges are Open campus that will test any student (including high school students). Some colleges that accept CLEP will also be a testing center but will only give the test to their enrolled students. Thos are L or Limited test centers. The closest O or Open center to Sonoma County is Pacific University in Angwin. If a student s school accepts CLEP, then this is something worth looking into, especially if the student is a good test taker. Study guides are also available at the website some PDF s can be downloaded and some books are for a cost.