SAT & ACT PSAT & PLAN Heritage High School College Planning Series

What do you already know? 1. What is the full name for SAT? 2. What is the full name for ACT? 3. What is the highest possible SAT score? 4. What is the highest possible ACT score? 5. All colleges require an SAT/ACT score for admissions. (T/F) 6. When is the SAT changing?

The Name SAT Scholastic Aptitude Test ACT American College Test

Content SAT Critical Reading (reading passages, sentence completion Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Probability) Essay ACT Reading (comprehension) English (grammar, sentence structure Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Trig) Science (Data representation, research, viewpoints) Optional Essay

Scoring SAT 800 points per section 2400 point possibility Deductions for incorrect answers ACT 36 points per section 36 composite (average) possibility No deductions for incorrect answers

Comparison of SAT and ACT score SAT CR+M (Score Range) ACT Composite ScoreSAT CR+M (Single Score) – – – – – – – – – –

The Cost SAT $52.50 Late fees Waitlist Fees Score reporting fees Fee waivers ACT $54.50 (plus writing) Late fees Standby fees Score reporting fees Fee waivers

Testing Time SAT 3h45 ACT 3h25

Registration SAT Need to upload photo to register Testing site codes, test dates, college codes Admission slip Photo ID ACT Need to upload photo to register Testing site codes, test dates, college codes Admission slip Photo ID

Sending Scores to Colleges SAT Choose 4 colleges to receive score reports free All scores are sent after each test unless you make special request Fees to send scores later or to send scores to more than 4 colleges ACT Choose 4 colleges to receive score reports free Only scores from one test date are sent to the colleges you request Fees to send scores later or to send scores to more than 4 colleges

Where? SAT Heritage High School ACT Heritage High School

SAT Subject Tests Tests in specific subjects Used by some colleges and university for admission or placement Check with the colleges you are considering to see if they are required Can be taken to correspond with the completion of the subject in school.

When to Test Freshman Year: Not expected Sophomore Year: Taking advanced level courses in Math and English; pursuing admission to NCSSM or other program that requires a score Junior Year: Everyone who is college bound, taking appropriate courses, at least once. Senior Year: Take in the fall.

Need Accommodations? If you have a 504 or IEP, fill out form to request accommodations. Accommodations at school are not automatic with SAT or ACT.

ACT Test Date for Juniors All juniors will be taking the ACT on March 4 for free. Juniors can create an account now on

SAT Changes Rollout March 2016  Will affect current 9 th and 10 th graders  Visit this website for more information: /pdf//sat-presentation-k-12-students-parents- fall-update.pdf /pdf//sat-presentation-k-12-students-parents- fall-update.pdf

ACT Changes

TEST PREP How do you prepare for the SAT and /or the ACT? Natural knowledge gain School prep courses PSAT/PLAN Workshops Test prep courses ***Do your homework! ***Know your needs!

UNDERSTANDING YOUR PSAT/NMSQT RESULTS

4 Major Parts of Your PSAT/NMSQT Results Your Scores Your Skills Your Answers Next Steps 3 Test Sections Critical Reading Mathematics Writing Skills

Score You can see your projected SAT score online in My College QuickStart ( Your Scores

Percentile If you are a junior, your scores are compared to those of other juniors. If you are a sophomore or younger student, your scores are compared to those of sophomores. Your Scores (cont.)

National Merit Scholarship Corporation Information (cont.) The Selection Index is the sum of your critical reading, mathematics and writing skills scores. If it has an asterisk, you do not meet all of the eligibility requirements for the competition.

Your Skills (cont.) See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT. You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online in My College QuickStart (

Your Answers (cont.) You will get your test book back with your PSAT/NMSQT results, so that you can review the questions. You can also review each test question in My College QuickStart.

Next Steps (cont.) What’s next? Use the access code on your report to log in to My College QuickStart, a personalized college and career planning kit. There you can: Search for colleges Get a personalized SAT study plan Take a personality test to find majors and careers that fit you See your AP Potential

My College QuickStart My AP Potential Courses you’re likely to succeed in Courses that match majors you’re interested in Courses that were offered at your school last year

My College QuickStart Log in to your personalized account at

Slide 30 PLAN shows your strengths and weaknesses in English, mathematics, reading, and science. PLAN lets you know if you’re on target for college. PLAN helps you find careers that match your interests. PLAN helps you prepare for the ACT. Why Take PLAN?

Slide 31 Using Your PLAN Results Student Guide to PLAN

Slide 32 What is the Student Score Report? This individualized report details scores received on the assessment and the career plans and needs indicated by the student. What does the Student Score Report provide? ➡ Suggestions for improving student academic skills ➡ Careers that match student interests ➡ Indicators of college readiness Student Score Report

Slide 33 PLAN Score Report Side 2

Slide 34

Slide 35 What Do I Do Now? When using your PLAN Score Report, ask yourself some questions: Am I on target for college? What skills do I need to improve to be ready for college? Am I taking a rigorous core curriculum What careers interest me most?