1. Operation Inform Tests and Testing The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student

2. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Types of Standardized Tests and How They Are Used by SUNY Topics include: PSAT/NMSQT,and SAT PLAN and ACT Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate GED ATB (Ability to Benefit) Placement Testing TOEFL CLEP

3. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Required Tests All Bachelor degree programs require the SAT or ACT Community Colleges may require the SAT or ACT for highly competitive programs

4. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Quick Reference Guides

5. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 About PSAT/NMSQT The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation.National Merit Scholarship Corporation

6. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Students take the PSAT/NMSQT and PLAN to: Help assess skills necessary for college-level work Get an early indication of how competitive their application may be a various institutions. Prepare for the SAT Enter competitions for national scholarships College Search

7. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 What We Know About the 2006 “New” SAT Test Takers Critical Reading mean test scores fell by 5 points in the 2006 cohort Mathematic mean test score fell by 2 points in the 2006 cohort Critical Reading & Mathematics mean combined score dropped 7 points in fall 2006 Mean test score for Writing was 497

8. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 1Year/10 Year SAT Score Comparisons Mean Score199620052006 Critical Reading505508503 Male507513505 Female503505502 Mathematics508520518 Male527538536 Female492504502 Writing497 Male491 Female502 College Board August, 2006

9. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 SUNY News Release, January 25, 2006 “ SAT scores of incoming freshmen have increased from 1098 in the fall of 1999 to 1142 for the fall of 2004. Between 1999 and 2004, every SUNY state-operated campus saw gains in average SAT scores.” “ More than 50 percent of those enrolled at SUNY University Centers in fall 2004 had SAT scores above 1200 and grade point averages of 91.5. This is comparable to admission profiles at top public flagships in California, Michigan, Texas and North Carolina.”

10. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 SAT Scoring Error in the Fall of 2005 Impacted a number of SUNY campus, but affected few (if any) admissions decisions. The College Board was very efficient in notifying campuses of the impacted students.

11. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 New York ACT Scores Up in 2006 Average Composite Score was 22.6 up from 22.4 Highest Composite Score since 1991 New York Average remains higher then the National Average ACT Score of 21.1 which increased this year from 20.9 in 2005 17% of the State’s 2006 graduating class took the exam New York State students who took the writing test earned an average score of 8.2--- National Average is 7.7

12. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 SUNY and the “Writing Component” While SUNY recognizes the importance of writing at both the collegiate and professional levels, we need to look at more data before decisions can be made on how the writing sections can be utilized.

13. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Advanced Placement (AP®)AP The Advanced Placement Program ® is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. Students who participate in the program not only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school. Check with individual SUNY campuses for their credit and placement policies.

14. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 International Baccalaureate (IB) SUNY Colleges and Universities welcome International Baccalaureate Diploma students. If students have not earned the IB diploma, individual courses earned through the IB Program will be considered for advanced standing or college credit. In order to be considered for college-level credit, the individual courses must be at the Higher Level (HL) and usually require a minimum score of 4 or 5. The Admissions Office will need an official score report. Check with individual campuses for their credit and placement policies.

15. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 General Education Diploma (GED) The GED Tests are the five (5) tests of General Educational Development. The GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education makes them available to adults who did not graduate from high school. In New York State, the GED Tests are offered in English, Spanish and French. Most commonly used for 2 year degree options (Please check with each campus regarding policy.)

16. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Ability to Benefit (ATB) Used by Community Colleges Students applying for federal and New York State financial aid must possess a high school diploma or a recognized GED, or must demonstrate the ability to benefit from college level training. Students seeking financial aid who do not possess a high school diploma or GED must pass an entrance exam, an instrument approved by the State Education Department to be a measure of a student's ability to benefit from post-secondary training. SUNY Colleges require various approved tests for students to prove the ability to benefit at the college level.

17. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Placement Testing SUNY campuses may require placement testing for freshmen in English and Mathematics. These tests allow incoming students to demonstrate their proficiency in the basic skills of reading, writing and mathematics. The campuses use various assessment tests to determine if special course work must be taken in English, reading and/or mathematics. Many SUNY colleges have exemption criteria for students who have already demonstrated proficiency in these areas.

18. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 The Test of English as a Foreign Language™ (TOEFL®) The TOEFL measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. The TOEFL test is offered in different formats depending on a test taker's location.

19. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 CLEP ® College-Level Examination Program CLEP CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program in the United States today, helping students of all ages earn college degrees faster by getting credit for what they already know. Offering credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP exams can help attract -- and retain -- highly motivated students. CLEP is most common with transfer and adult students. CLEP provides the opportunity to demonstrate college level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses.

20. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Resources SUNY Viewbook SUNY Web site (www.suny.edu/student) ACT (www.act.org) College Board Web site (www.collegeoard.com): Counselor's Connection College Board Tests Helping Your Students Use the SAT Online Score Report Student Handout: The Day Before the SAT Understanding Disability Guidelines Sharing PSAT/NMSQT Results with Students and Families

21. The State University of New York www.suny.edu/student Operation Inform 06 Questions? Thank you for attending this workshop!