1. College Board Conversation and Update
EducationUSA Triennial Workshop 2010
Europe and Eurasia
Prague
March 24, 2010

2. The College Board
Not for profit membership organization of over 5600 schools, colleges, universities, and education associations
Our mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity
Committed to excellence and equity in education

3. The Path to College Readiness
SpringBoard® ELA and Mathematics
PSAT/NMSQT®
AP Potential™
College Visits
Take the SAT®
Take AP® Courses
College Admissions
ReadiStep™
CollegeEd®
6th Grade
The Path to College Readiness
Our goal is to create college readiness systems that enable all young people in our country to be fully prepared for college, with a special focus on serving those young people who have been and continue to be underserved.

4. PSAT/NMSQT Overview
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
2010 Test Fee: $13
Test Dates: Wednesday, October 13
Saturday, October 16
Approximately 3.5 million students in more than 140 countries take the test each year
45% are 11th grade students; 55% are 10th grade and younger students
Prepare for the SAT
The PSAT/NMSQT and SAT have the same format, directions, sample questions, and question types. On average, students who take the PSAT/NMSQT earn higher scores on the SAT than those who do not.
Plan for College and Careers
Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive access to My College QuickStart™, a personalized online college planning kit powered by their test results. They also receive access to MyRoad™, a comprehensive major and career exploration tool that includes a personality profiler.
Earn Scholarships and Recognition
Eleventh-graders who take the test may be eligible to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions, as well as programs that give special recognition to high-achieving Hispanic and African American students.
The PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus gives students comprehensive, personalized feedback on their test performance, including suggestions on how to improve specific academic skills.
Understand Their Strengths and Weaknesses
Connect with Colleges and Universities
Through the Student Search Service® (SSS®), PSAT/NMSQT participants can receive free admissions and financial aid information from colleges, universities, and scholarship programs.
The online AP Potential™ tool uses correlations between PSAT/NMSQT scores and Advanced Placement Program® Exam results to identify students who may be successful in specific AP® courses. This tool is designed to supplement a school’s current identification processes and expand access to AP courses.
Increase Access to AP® Courses
Identify Skill Strengths and Weaknesses
The Summary of Answers and Skills (SOAS) report provides an analysis of aggregate test question information and skills feedback, helping educators identify specific areas where their students are struggling. The SOAS report is provided free to all schools that test at least 25 students in one grade level.
Collect and Utilize Valuable Data
Summary Reports provide an at-a-glance look at participation and performance, while the Roster of Student Scores and Plans provides specific information about each participating student. The electronic Student Data File (an optional report available for $50) includes each student’s scores, percentiles, answers to each test question, and more. It allows educators to manage PSAT/NMSQT data to fit their needs.
Inform Students, Parents, and Colleagues
Free PSAT/NMSQT resources, publications, and tutorials are available at to help educators, students, and families get the most from the PSAT/NMSQT.
Prepare Students for the SAT Essay
ScoreWrite™: A Guide to Preparing for the SAT Essay, complements the PSAT/NMSQT writing skills section by providing everything schools need to administer a practice essay session, including an SAT essay prompt. ScoreWrite also trains teachers to score essays holistically using the SAT Scoring Guide.
FYI/Reference for presenter:
Test has five sections:
Testing time: 2 hours and 10 minutes (plus ~35 min for administrative activities)
Two 25-minute critical reading sections
Two 25-minute math sections
One 30-minute writing skills section
Co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Scores for each content area—critical reading, math, and writing—are on a 20-to-80 point scale
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing Skills
Scores and percentiles
Schools receive two copies of the score report—one for the student and one for the school.
Scores, score ranges, and percentiles for Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing Skills
Juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive percentiles that compare their scores with those of all eleventh-graders taking the test. Tenth-graders and younger students are compared to all tenth-graders.
Information about performance on every test question
Shows the correct answer, the student’s response, and the difficulty level of the question. (Mathematics questions also indicate the math area covered in the question.)
Personalized skills feedback
Provides personalized critical reading, math, and writing skills feedback based on a student's pattern of responses across test questions. The skills listed are those that have the best chance of improvement. The How to Improve tips, keyed to pertinent test questions, are provided to help students strengthen skills.
Information about NMSC programs
The Selection Index is in the NMSC section of the PSAT/NMSQT score report. This index is used by National Merit Scholarship Corporation to designate groups to be recognized in its scholarship programs. If an asterisk appears next to the Selection Index, it would mean the student does not meet entry requirements for the programs.
Self-reported grade average and college major of interest
Student access code for My College QuickStart
FPO

5. PSAT Score Report Plus Scores and percentiles
Information about performance on every test question
Personalized skills feedback
Information about NMSC programs
Self-reported grade average and college major of interest
Access code for My College QuickStart™
Schools receive two copies of each student score report—one for the student and one for the school.
What’s provided on the score report:
Scores and percentiles
Scores, score ranges, and percentiles for Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing Skills
Juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive percentiles that compare their scores with those of all eleventh-graders taking the test. Tenth-graders and younger students are compared to all tenth-graders.
Information about performance on every test question
Shows the correct answer, the student’s response, and the difficulty level of the question.
Mathematics questions also indicate the math area covered in the question (i.e., geometry, algebra, etc).
Personalized skills feedback
Personalized critical reading, math, and writing skills feedback based on a student's responses across test questions.
“Improve your skills” tips to help students strengthen skills.
Information about NMSC programs
The Selection Index (sum of the scores for critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills) is used by National Merit Scholarship Corporation to designate groups to be recognized in its scholarship programs.
If an asterisk appears next to the Selection Index, it means the student does not meet program entry requirements.
Self-reported grade average and college major of interest
Includes a description and additional info about the major a student selects
Student access code for My College QuickStart

6. College and Career Planning Tools
My College QuickStart™
Personalized online college planning kit powered by students’ test results
My Online Score Report
Review test questions, answers and explanations
My SAT Study Plan™
Highlights skills for review and practice
My College Matches
Based on the student’s home state and selected major
My Major & Career Matches
Based on the major chosen when students take the test. Provides access to MyRoad™
[Refer to Fact Sheet in folder]
Included in the low $13 PSAT/NMSQT fee is access to two online college and career planning tools.
My College QuickStart: A personalized online college planning kit powered by students’ test results
• My Online Score Report—an enhanced score report that allows students to review each test question, their answers, and the correct answer with answer explanations
• My SAT Study Plan—a customized SAT study plan based on student PSAT/NMSQT performance, highlighting skills for review and practice
• My College Matches—a starter list of colleges based on the student’s home state and selected major
• My Major and Career Matches—a list of majors and careers based on the major students choose when they take the test. Through the major and career section, students can also access MyRoad.
MyRoad: A comprehensive major and career exploration tool
• ORA Personality Profiler: An assessment tool that students can take to learn about their personality types and receive additional major and career suggestions
• 69 profiles of academic fields—from aeronautics to zoology, representing 175 instructional programs
• The latest information on more than 3,500 four-year and two-year colleges and universities
• My Plan: Students can record their interests, track their activities on the site, and build a résumé
• And more

7. College and Career Planning Tips
Arrange for a computer lab session to introduce students to My College QuickStart
Use free lesson plans to guide students through structured My College QuickStart and MyRoad activities
My College QuickStart is available starting in mid-December.
Students can use My College QuickStart until they graduate from high school.
Lesson plans and other My College QuickStart resources are available at
My College QuickStart reference sheet is included in participants’ materials

8. SAT Program Updates

9. What’s New With the SAT at Collegeboard.com
The College Board Web site is a top resource for students and educators.
What’s New
A completely redesigned online registration process that lets students see and choose their test center in real time.
A more intuitive score-reporting process that guides students through score sending. See how it works by visiting the online Score Choice tutorial.
A tour of SAT® Skills Insight™, a tool that helps students understand the skills tested on the SAT and how they can improve those skills.
My SAT Online Score Report is now the primary way for students to receive scores. (During registration, students are still given the opportunity to select a paper score report if needed.)

10. SAT Counselor Resource Center
The Counselor Resource Center (CRC) is an online destination created for counselors. It’s designed to be your one-stop source for all the tools, information and inspiration you need to guide students and parents through the college admissions process.
Current features include:
A college planning presentation with presenter notes
Score Choice materials (including a tutorial and presentation)
Handouts on related topics, such as Advanced Placement® (AP)
Spanish-language materials and presentations
Test dates calendar for planning purposes
To access all these resources and much more, visit

11. SAT Materials For You and For Students

12. Current Program Materials (Students)
This Is Your SAT
The SAT Registration Guide
This brochure is a great introduction to the SAT® and can help students and their parents to learn more about the SAT and SAT Subject Test.
This guide takes the place of the SAT Registration Booklet and is part of a registration packet that includes a registration form and return envelope.
The SAT Practice Booklet
The SAT Practice Test
This new booklet consolidates material from the SAT Preparation Booklet and the SAT Subject Test Preparation Booklet, and shows students who have limited Internet access:
Allows students with limited Internet access to:
Take an official practice test
Use a scoring guide and conversion tables to score the test
How to get ready for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests
Types of questions and content they’ll see on the tests
Sample questions
Listening test questions that go with the practice CD

13. Current SAT Program Materials (Counselors)
The SAT Program Handbook Includes important information about the SAT and SAT Subject Tests, such as registration, testing and scoring policies and practices At Your Fingertips This card is your compact guide to college readiness programs at the College Board. The SAT Code List A new easy-to-use booklet for the career and counseling office hat provides the following to students who register by mail: • Test center code list • College and scholarship program codes • Country codes (international edition) • List of college majors Score Choice™ Poster Displayed in the counseling office or career center, this poster can help answer students’ questions about Score Choice™. The Official SAT Online Course™ Brochure Find out how your school and your students can use this low-cost tool to get ready for the SAT. Practice CD The practice CD for SAT Language with Listening Subject Tests allows students using the SAT Practice Booklet to hear sample listening test questions. (Keep this in your office for students to use.)

14. SAT Practice Tools

15. Preparing for the SAT: Myth vs. Reality
MYTH: Short-term prep courses are the best way to prepare for the SAT.
REALITY: The best way to get ready for the SAT is to take a challenging course load and study hard. Students can also take a practice test to get familiar with the format.
MYTH: Good SAT preparation has to be expensive.
REALITY: The College Board offers a number of free and low-cost practice resources that can be used to build skill levels and familiarize students with the test.
MYTH: Students need to figure out the “tricks” to do well on the SAT.
REALITY: The SAT is not designed to trick students. Questions are based on high school subjects. Students who do well in the classroom are often the same ones who do well on the test.
The truth is: a little practice goes a long way.

16. SAT Practice Tools SAT Question of the Day – free, online
The College Board provides a number of free and low-cost practice resources that can also help students get ready for the SAT:
SAT Question of the Day – free, online
SAT Practice Test – free, online
The Official SAT Study Guide: 2nd Edition – new edition includes 10 real practice tests
The Official SAT Online Course™
– includes 18 interactive lessons
(SAT Program presenter)

17. More Free Tools
Used together, these tools can help students understand their scores and gain insight into the academic skills they need to do better in the classroom, on the test and in college.
Skills Insight ™
Skills Insight uses real SAT questions and answers to show students the skills they need to be successful on the test.
It helps students to recognize that these skills are the same ones learned in the classroom, thus boosting test-day confidence and familiarity with the SAT.
My SAT Online Score Report
My SAT ® Online Score Report gives students the meaning behind their score and insight into skill strengths and weaknesses.
It offers a detailed review of student performance by question type and difficulty level; national, state and high school percentiles; each student’s essay question and scanned response; and career and major searches.
(SAT Program presenter)

18.
(Test Dev. presenter)

19. “score bands” between 200 and 800.
SAT scores
are grouped
into six
“score bands” between 200 and 800.
For each score band, academic skills are categorized by skill group.
“Academic Skills” are skills typical
of students who score within the selected score band.
“Suggestions for Improvement” help students advance to a higher score band.
(Test Dev. presenter)
“Skill Examples” are actual SAT questions that illustrate the meaning of
each skill.

20. SAT® Subject Tests™

21. What are the SAT Subject Tests™?
The SAT Subject Tests measure students’ knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, and their ability to apply that knowledge.
SAT Subject Tests are a great way for students to show colleges the subjects in which they are interested and excel.
Like the SAT, Subject Tests™ are a reliable measure of academic success and a good predictor of college performance.

22. How do Colleges Use the SAT Subject Tests™?
Colleges use the SAT Subject Tests™ for admissions, course placement, and to advise students about course selection.
Subject Tests scores – along with high school grades, SAT scores, personal statements, teacher recommendations, etc. – give colleges a more completed picture of a student.
Colleges have different policies regarding SAT Subject Tests™. Students should find out how the colleges that they’re considering use Subject Tests scores.

23. When Should Students Take Subject Tests™?
Most students take SAT Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year or at the beginning of their senior year.
Students are advised to take the SAT Subject Tests as soon as possible after completing that subject’s course, while the material is still fresh in their mind.
For foreign language tests, students tend to do better after at least two years of study.

24. Score Choice

25. About Score Choice
Score Choice is a score reporting feature that gives students the option to send the test scores they feel best represent their abilities to colleges.
Score Choice is designed to reduce student test anxiety and enable students to feel more comfortable on test day.
Colleges will continue to set their SAT score-use practices. 25

26. How Score Choice Works
Score Choice is optional. The default selection is all scores.
Scores can be selected by test date for SAT and by individual test for Subject Tests.
Any/all scores can be sent to a college on a single report, at no additional charge.
Score Choice applies to college score reports only. All scores will continue to go to students and high schools. 26

27. How Score Choice Works
The College Board has partnered with colleges, universities, high school counselors, financial aid, and admissions advisors to help them establish and communicate their test score-use practices.
Since Score Choice launched, counselors can view a comprehensive list of participating institutions’ score-use practices posted on our Web site.
A new reminder service is in place for students who take the SAT but don’t send their score report by designated application deadlines. 27

28. Score Choice Tutorial
A tutorial of the Score Choice website is available on collegeboard.com 28

29. Additional Processing Fees (add to test fees)
SAT Fees
Test
Fees
SAT
$45
SAT Subject Tests™ Basic registration fee
$20
Language Tests with Listening (add to basic reg. fee)
add $20
All other SAT Subject Tests (add per test to basic reg. fee)
add $9
Additional Processing Fees (add to test fees)
Register by phone (available only if you have registered before)
$12.50
Change fee (test type, center or date change)
$22
Late fee
$23
Standby fee
$38
International processing fee (for students testing in countries other than the United States, U.S. territories and U.S. commonwealths)
$26
Additional surcharge for testing in India and Pakistan
Important Information Regarding SAT Fees:
there were no fee increases for the SAT or SAT Subject Tests

30. The Advanced Placement An International Program,
Program®(AP®):
An International Program,
A Global Credential

31. How Colleges and Universities Use AP
More than 3,800 colleges and universities annually receive AP Exam scores.
Over 90% of 4-year colleges in the U.S. provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying scores
85% of selective colleges and universities indicate that a student’s AP experience “favorably impacts admissions decisions.”
Overall, 75% of college faculty favor or strongly favor allowing AP credit/placement in their department, but this differs significantly by discipline
31% of colleges and universities factor a student’s AP experience into decisions about which students will receive scholarships.
Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research, Inc. March – Independent researchers

32. AP®: The Most Widely Used Academic Program in the World
May 2009
1.7 million students took 2.9 million AP Exams.
AP Exams were administered by more than 17,300 schools in 114 countries.
Outside the United States:
34,801 students
More than 69,000 AP Exams
1,026 schools
CB has members from 58 countries
Programs administered in 180 countries - Advanced Placement Program® (AP®), PSAT/NMSQT®, SAT®, and SpringBoard® among others

33. Value of AP for Students
Experience university-level coursework and exams
Gain advantages in university admission
Earn university credit and fulfill requirements
Place into higher-level coursework
Gain a global perspective and global competencies
Gain confidence in the ability to take on challenges
Qualify for scholarships
Save time and money
Increase options

34. Benefits of AP for Schools
AP: High Academic Standards
Anchored to the best practices of leading higher education institutions
University-level standard in secondary schools
Valid and reliable assessment
Promotes global skills and competencies
Recognized by leading universities worldwide
AP: Curricular Autonomy
Discretion and freedom for schools to execute their own curricula and teaching practices

35. Benefits of AP for Schools
AP: Flexibility
AP is modular – Schools offer and students take the AP courses and exams they want.
AP is flexible – Internationally mobile students take AP courses and exams at schools around the world.
Community service component – can be added, and many schools do
The AP International Diploma (APID) - available to all students and optional

36. AP International Diploma (APID)
Requirements:
Scores of 3 or higher on required combination of five AP Exams
Two AP Exams from English and/or world languages
One AP Exam designated as offering a global perspective (Government and Politics: Comparative, Human Geography, World History)
One exam from science or mathematics
One (or two) additional exam(s) from among any content areas except English and world languages
More information:

37. Benefits of AP for Schools
AP is Affordable
There is no cost for schools to offer AP Courses.
The AP Exam fee is $86 of which schools retain $8.
AP provides free and low-cost resources for all schools.
AP provides free and low cost resources for teachers and schools to increase participation in AP and to help enhance instruction.
AP Course Descriptions – No cost, downloadable from the AP Course Home Pages on AP Central: apcentral.collegeboard.com
AP Teachers’ Guides – No cost, downloadable from the AP Course Home Pages on AP Central: apcentral.collegeboard.com
AP Course Syllabi – No cost, downloadable from the AP Course Home Pages on AP Central: apcentral.collegeboard.com
AP Course Audit Syllabus Review by university faculty – free for all accredited schools
AP Sample Test – free for teachers; available within their AP Course Audit accounts
AP Instructional Planning Reports – free with schools’ AP Exam results
AP Potential – a free Web-based tool that identifies students who may be prepared for the challenge of AP course work based on their PSAT/NMSQT® results. It provides school with a roster of potential AP students. For more information, visit: appotential.collegeboard.com
Professional Development for Teachers – Affordable online and face-to-face offerings. Visit: apcentral.collegeboard.com/events
Free Resources for Teachers
Instructional resources developed my master teachers and college faculty
Full-length sample exams
Access to electronic discussion groups with teachers and faculty worldwide
Etc.

38. Universities Recognize and Value AP
Is a standard, reliable assessment of university-level concepts and skills
Helps universities identify students
Attracts motivated students
Is supported by research
Involves university faculty in significant ways
“Completing AP Courses is one way applicants demonstrate a willingness to accept academic challenges. Strong grades and high test scores certainly demonstrate preparation for college.”
-- Lori Goldman, Director of Admissions and New Student Enrollment, University of Arizona
“AP Exams affirm the rigor of a student’s course work. Though admissions policies vary, if I were a student, I wouldn’t assume that the college of my dreams didn’t care about AP Exam grades in the admissions process.”
-- Bruce Walker, Vice Provost and Director of Admissions, The University of Texas at Austin

39. Universities Recognize and Value AP
More than 90% of four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. grant advanced placement, credit or both for successful AP Exam scores.
More than 600 universities in 58 countries outside the U.S. recognize AP for credit, placement and/or when making admission decisions.
More than 90% of four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. grant advanced placement, credit or both for successful AP Exam scores, and 85% of selective institutions report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.*
* Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research, Inc. March For the purpose of this study, “selective institutions” were defined as those where less than 70 percent of applicants were admitted, the mean SAT® score was 1025 or higher, and the mean ACT score was 22 or higher.

40. International University Recognition of AP
Canada – every university offers advanced placement and/or credit
Country-wide recognition policies also in Austria, Germany, Norway
U.K. - most universities recognize AP for admission
Ex: U. of Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, others
SAT AP Exams with grades of 4 or higher
Netherlands - most universities recognize AP for admission
Ex: U. of Amsterdam, U. of Maastricht, TU Delft
2- 4 AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher
162 universities in 26 Latin America and Caribbean countries recognize AP

41. AP Policies of University Outside the U.S. on collegeboard.org
International university AP policies
are searchable by country and by
Institution.
Provides:
A statement by the college or university about the policy
A link to the university’s own Web page and contact information for university officials
International Universities:

42. U.S. University AP Policies of U.S. universities on collegeboard.org
are searchable by institution.
Provides:
A statement by the college or university about their AP policy
A link to the university’s own Web page that details its AP credit and placement policies
U.S. Universities:

43. AP and the School Community: Strategies that Schools have Shared
Keep parents and board members informed
Involve dynamic staff members as academic leaders
Involve your community – orientations, AP Open House events
Publicize successes of your program online, in local media, and in international education journals and newsletters

44. Resources College Board Web site – www.collegeboard.org
AP Central –
AP University Recognition Directory – print and online
AP: A World Class Academic Experience brochure
AP PPT Presentation for International Schools
AP Course Ledger
AP Data and Research
Online Score Reports available in 2010
AP Potential
AP Professional Development

45. Questions? Carol Blythe cblythe@collegeboard.org
Janine Farhat
Jennifer Russell
Stephanie Trainor
Christina Hum