2. The ABC’s of SAT PSAT ACT AP Exams M-Step/MME

3. Exam Information and Exam Information Resources PHS Morning Announcements Teachers Counselors PTSO Newsletter Ms. Joyce Williams, Director, External Testing 994-2116 www.collegeboard.com (SAT) www.collegeboard.com www.act.org (ACT) www.act.org www.meritaward.state.mi.us/ (MEAP) www.meritaward.state.mi.us/

4. SAT II Scholastic Assessment Test II Subject Tests

5. SAT II What is the SAT II? Test in a specific subject One hour, primarily multiple-choice Some colleges recommend or require applicants to take 1 to 3 of these subject tests Students should be aware of the college admission requirements

6. SAT II Subject Tests Biology Ecological/Molecular Chemistry Physics English Literature US History World History Mathematics Level IC Mathematics Level IIC French-reading German-reading Modern Hebrew-reading Italian-reading Latin-reading Spanish-reading Chinese-with listening French-with listening German-with listening Japanese-with listening Korean-with listening Spanish-with listening

7. SAT II When is the SAT II given? Registration for SAT II same as for SAT I Given most dates that the SAT I is given Some SAT II tests are not available on every testing date “With listening” language tests are only offered in November at specified centers – Portable CD player with earphones required. SAT II should be taken when content is fresh in the student’s mind, at the end of a recently completed course like chemistry and world history SAT II tests can be retaken

8. PSAT PSAT/NMSQT Preliminary SAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

9. PSAT What is the PSAT? Co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) PSAT/NMSQT measures verbal reasoning, critical reading, mathematics problem-solving, and writing skills. The PSAT/NMSQT includes three sections- Reading Writing and Language Math

10. PSAT Who should take the PSAT? The PSAT/NMSQT was administered to all juniors 10/14

11. PSAT Why take the PSAT? Help prepare for SAT Program tests Forecast SAT scores Opportunity to qualify to enter competitions for scholarships and participate in recognition programs such as: – National Merit Scholarship Program – National Hispanic Recognition Program – National Scholarship Service and Fund for Negro Students – Telluride Association Participate in the Student Search Service to get educational and financial information from colleges Compare yourself with other students

12. PSAT Registration For the last 4 years Pioneer has been providing the PSAT to all Juniors to give them an opportunity to compete for the various scholarships and also practice a standardized test. This year both 9 th and 10 th graders will take the PSAT in April Provisions for students with disabilities

13. PSAT Test Results PSAT/NMSQT score reports are mailed to the High School at the end of November. Each school decides how and when to distribute the scores to students. At Pioneer, results are sent to PHS and distributed to students by the counselors. Score reports are not mailed home.

14. National Merit Scholarship Program National Merit Scholarship Program Enter the Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the JUNIOR year of high school. NMSC will provide scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools in the fall of the student’s senior year To qualify as a finalist: – Complete NMSC scholarship application includes essay about contributions to school and community, personal characteristics, activities, plans, and goals – Take the SAT I and earn qualifying scores – Notify NMSC of plans to enroll in college 8,000 National Merit Scholarships of $2,500 are awarded

15. National Merit Scholarship Program Other Scholarship Awards Corporate-sponsored Merit and Special Scholarships Awards – Provided by corporate sponsors in the National Merit Scholarship Program – A list of corporate organizations that sponsor both Merit and Special Scholarships is given in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin. College-sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards – Officials of a NMSC sponsored institution choose award recipients from among finalists who have applied for admission and have informed NMSC that the sponsor college is their first choice

16. ACT American College Testing Assessment

17. ACT What is the ACT? National college admissions examination Measures knowledge, understanding, and skills acquired throughout student’s education Tests cover four skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning, and optional Writing (beginning 2005) 215 multiple choice questions

18. ACT Who should take the ACT? ACT scores may be required for admission to college Many colleges recommend taking the ACT during the second half of the student’s junior year of high school. Many students take the ACT once as a junior and then may retake it as a senior.

19. ACT When is the ACT given? Administered on five national test dates: - September – October – December – February – April – June Testing takes place on a Saturday Sunday and Monday testing is available for students whose religious faith prohibits testing on Saturday.

20. ACT Test Locations Ann Arbor test sites include : – Pioneer High School – Huron High School – Washtenaw Community College – Concordia University – Skyline High School

21. ACT Registration Fee Online Registration is available and encouraged – www.act.org – use major credit card for payment of fee – certain circumstances where online registration cannot be used Fee waivers are available – see a counselor to receive a form

22. ACT Registration Registration deadline is approximately five weeks prior to the test date Additional cost for late registration Provisions for: – changing the test date – missing the test – changing the test center – students with disabilities Students can register to take the ACT at any testing center.

23. ACT Scoring and Score Reports Scores are mailed four to seven weeks after the test date. Scores reported for each of the four tests (English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning) – Scores reported on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest) – To determine scores on each of the four tests, the number of questions answered correctly is counted. – Points are not deducted for incorrect answers – These raw scores are converted to scale scores. The composite score is an average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number. If the ACT is taken more than once, a separate record is maintained for each test date.

24. ACT Sending Score Reports When registering, you can request that score be sent to colleges and scholarship programs. If you do not send scores for free when you register for ACT, then you must go to act.org to send scores. Each score sent costs 12 dollars.

25. AP Advanced Placement Courses Advanced Placement Exams

26. AP Courses Advanced Placement Courses give students a chance to try college level work in specific subjects while in high school. Courses offered by Pioneer High School which would prepare students for AP examinations include: – AP English (preparation for English Literature AP Exam) – AP English (preparation for English Language AP Exam) – BC Calculus – AP Analysis, AB Calculus (preparation for Calculus (AB) AP Exam) – AP U.S. History – AP Biology – AP Chemistry – AP Physics – AP American Government and Politics – AP Computer Science – AP Statistics – AP Latin – AP Spanish – AP French – AP German – Humanities (preparation for AP Exams in Art History, English Literature, World History ) – AP Chinese

27. AP Exams What are AP Exams? AP Exams test a student’s ability to perform at a college level. Exams contain either an essay or problem-solving section and a section of multiple-choice questions. The modern language exams also have a speaking component. “Qualifying” scores on Advanced Placement Exams may entitle a student to credit or advanced placement at college.

28. AP Exams Except where designated, PHS offers courses designed to prepare the student for the AP Exam Art History (PHS: Humanities) Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Computer Science A Computer Science B Economics English Language English Literature Environmental Science (no PHS course) European History French German Language Government and Politics (Comparative) (U.S.) Human Geography (no PHS course) Latin (Virgil) Music Theory Physics (C) Psychology (no PHS course) Spanish Statistics Studio Art U.S. History World History* Chinese

29. AP Exams Who takes the AP Exams? Any student can register to take an AP exam. A student does not have to take an AP course to take an AP exam. AP courses and exams typically taken in the junior and senior year. Students can take an exam more than one time. Students taking AP exams will miss class time.

30. AP Exams When are the AP Exams given? Administered on a national schedule in May of each year. – AP Exams are usually scheduled during the first two weeks in May Suggested starting times are 8:00 AM for the morning session and 1:00 PM for the afternoon session. Some exams are scheduled for the same time slot. If your student has a scheduling conflict, contact Joyce Williams. Calendar of exam times available at www.collegeboard.com

31. AP Exams Test Locations Large convention facilities in the Ann Arbor area Local High Schools Buildings and Room Numbers are available from Joyce Williams at PHS Career Center

32. AP AP Exam Registration Fee – approximately $100 Register at Pioneer High School at the General Office Registration for AP Exams begins in February Fee reductions are available for students demonstrating financial need.

33. AP Exams Test Day Most exams take two to three hours to complete Students should have: – No. 2 pencils with erasers – black or dark blue pen – Pioneer code number – Approved calculator for the Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, or Statistics exams – Ruler/Straight edge for Physics Exam – Social Security Number Receive AP Candidate Pack – numbers on pack will be the official AP number for that testing period

34. AP Exams Scoring AP Exams are scored from 1 to 5 as follows: – 5 - Extremely well-qualified – 4 - Well-qualified – 3 - Qualified – 2 - Possibly qualified – 1 - No recommendation For a score of 2 or greater, a student may qualify to receive college credit or advanced placement It is at the discretion of the individual college as to whether or not college credit or advance standing (i.e. sophomore placement in a particular subject area) will be given.

35. AP Exams Grade Reports Grade reports online in July Grade report sent to the college the student designated on the exam answer sheet Grade report sent to PHS Grade reports are cumulative, included are grades on AP Exams taken in the current year and in previous years unless a request has been made to withhold previous grades For a fee, additional grade reports can be sent: – Complete second part of AP Grade Report – Telephone or e-mail request to send AP Transcripts

36. AP Exams Withholding a Grade Canceling a Grade A written request can be made to withhold an AP grade from a report. To permanently cancel an AP grade, complete an AP Cancellation Form and return it to AP Services no later than June 15 following the exam.

37. MME MME MME/M - Step Spring 2016

38. MME What is the MME? The Michigan Merit Exam is the revised state assessment program for the high school level. Full implementation of the program started in the Spring of 2007. Revised 2016 to include SAT

39. MME Timeline The full MME will be administered in Spring 2016 to high school juniors – April 12-14 The SAT will be administered April 12 at Pioneer On April 13 the Work Keys and Michigan Science and Social Studies assessment will be administered PSAT will be given to 9 th and 10 th graders on Wednesday, April 13 th.

40. Produced by Pioneer High School PTSO and Joyce Williams, Director, External Testing & Pioneer High School Counselors e