1. Junior College & Career Planning Parent Forum December 7, 2016 Student Sessions

2. Junior Year Activities
PSAT/NMSQT October
SAT January-June
ACT February 28
Search for College or Other Opportunities
Build a Strong Academic Record
Build a Plan for Senior Year
Engage, Serve and Lead in Activities

3. Mount Tabor School Counselors
A-D Ms. Corey Daniel
E-K Ms. Lowana Wade
L-M Mrs. Colleen Santos-Roberts
N-R Mr. Stan Huck
S-Z Mr. Jake McBride

4. What Information do Colleges Use in Making Admissions Decisions?
Grades = GPA
Course Rigor
Class Rank
Activities
Service
Interests
Leadership
Accomplishments
Talents
Recommendations
Essays/Personal Statements
Career Plans
Test Scores

5. College Entrance Exams
SAT
ACT
Community College Placement Testing
Measure Reading and Math Preparation
Most colleges/universities require the SAT or ACT
Most colleges/universities will accept either the SAT or ACT
MTHS juniors will take the ACT and may register for the SAT
Some colleges/universities allow students to apply without SAT/ACT
ACT or SAT scores may be submitted to community colleges in place of other placement tests.

6. Why Do Most Colleges Require the SAT or ACT ?
Measures critical thinking skills necessary for college success
Measures current levels of educational development
Compares applicants on a standardized measure
Indicates College Readiness
Predicts academic success in college or a particular major (along with high school grades in rigorous academic courses)
Placement into appropriate beginning courses or course levels
Identification for scholarship opportunities

7. Second Semester Test Dates
SAT
ACT
January 21 (Dec 21 deadline)
March 11
May 6
June 3
Fall 2017-September, October, November & December
February 28 (school test)
April 8
June 10
Fall 2017-September, October & December

8. Class of 2018 SAT Test Date Change
Addition of early September 2017 date
Summer registration deadline
Elimination of the January 2018 date
Benefit to Early Action applicants
Weather has caused change/delay of January test

9. PSAT/NMSQT Score Report
Paper Score Report
Full Report Online
Studentscores.collegeboard.org
Access Code

10. Online Score Report Features
Scores
College Readiness Benchmarks
Skills Insight
National Merit Scholarship Score Index
AP Potential
Practice on Khan Academy

11. Redesigned PSAT Scores
Total Score
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Score
Math
Test Scores
Cross-Test Scores
Subscores
NMSC Selection Index

12. PSAT Score Report College & Career Readiness Benchmarks
Your Scores: Next Steps
Your Question-Level Feedback
Next Steps online at studentscores.collegeboard.org
Free SAT Practice through Khan Academy
AP Course Connection
Register for the SAT

13. Redesigned SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Math Essay
Reading Test-65 minutes, 52 questions
Writing and Language Test-35 minutes, 44 questions
Math
No Calculator-25 minutes, 20 questions
Calculator-55 minutes, 38 questions
Essay
Read and Comprehend a passage and write an essay analyzing the passage
Optional
Last Test
50 minutes

14. How The SAT Is Scored Total Score (400-1600 scale)
Two Section Scores ( scale)
Three Test Scores (10-40 scale)
Two Cross Test Scores (10-40 scale)
Seven Subscores (1-15 scale)
Essay (optional) Scores (2-8 points)

15. Total Score
Combines Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score with the Math score
score on each section

16. Essay Scores 2-8 points on each of 3 dimensions Reading Analysis
Writing
Based on comprehension, analysis and composition skills
Combined scores of 2 independent raters, each of whom assigns a score of 1-4
Not incorporated into any other scores

17. ACT English Test-45 minutes 1-36 Reading Test-35 minutes 1-36
Mathematics Test-60 minutes 1-36
Science Test-35 minutes
Writing Test-30 minutes
Essay Subscore 2-12
Composite
Average of 4 test scores-does not include writing

18. English Test One 75-question, 45 minute test
Measures understanding of conventions of standard written English (punctuation, grammar, usage, sentence structure and rhetorical skills)
Five essays or passages with multiple choice questions
Total Score of 1-36 (benchmark=18)
Usage/Mechanics Subscore
Rhetorical Skills Subscore

19. Mathematics Test One 60-question, 60 minute test
Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 (or Integrated Math 1-3 or Math 1-3)
Calculator use is allowed and recommended
Total Score 1-36 (benchmark=22)
Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Subscore
Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Subscore
Geometry/Trigonometry Subscore

20. Reading Test One 40-question, 35 minute test
Measures reading comprehension skills
Four prose passages with multiple choice questions
Total Score 1-36 (benchmark=21)
Social Studies/Science Subscore
Arts/Literature Subscore

21. Science Test One 40-question, 35 minute test
Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in natural science
Content covers biology, chemistry, physics and the earth/space sciences
Emphasizes scientific reasoning skills
Total Score 1-36 (benchmark=24)

22. Writing Test One 30-minute essay
Defines an issue with two points of view
Write in response to a question about your position on the issue
Total Score 1-12
Combined English/Writing Score 1-36
Optional (decide when your register), but included for School-Based Testing in March

23. Spring 2016 ACT Administration
All WS/FCS juniors will take the test
Administered on February 28, 2017
Preadministration date in February
No cost to students/parents
Scores sent to four colleges/universities at no cost
Score Reports are mailed to students

24. ACT Practice ACT Practice Test in your packet
PLAN Test and Score Report Review
ACT Practice Workshop
Saturday, Janury 7, 2017
8 am to 12:05 pm at MTHS
ACT BootCamp with CapEd
Monday, February 6, 2017
4-6 pm in the Media Center

25. Guessing on the ACT & SAT
No points deducted for wrong answers
Eliminating wrong answer choices is a good strategy

26. Student Registration for the SAT
Online Registration at sat.org/register $45.00
With Essay $57.00
Mail Registration $54.00
Unique Situations
Late Registration $ $28.00
Wait List Registration $ $46.00
Registration materials are available in the Mount Tabor Guidance Office.

27. Student Registration for the ACT
Online registration at $42.50
Registration with Writing $58.50
Late registration +$27.50
Standby registration +$51.00
Registration Materials are available in the Mount Tabor Guidance Office.

28. Test Security Measures SAT & ACT
Effective with the test year:
You will be prompted to provide an acceptable photo during registration that will appear on your Admission Ticket.
You must present your admission ticket and acceptable ID to enter the test center.
Standby Testing (Wait List) is only available during a short window of time prior to the test date through online registration.
An approved picture identification is required on test day.
A Student ID Form/Letter is available from the Guidance Office if you have no acceptable picture id.

29. SAT & ACT Score Reporting
Both allow students to send scores to four colleges or universities at registration or soon after the test.
Additional score reports cost $12.00 each
ACT sends individual test date reports
SAT sends all current and previous scores
SAT also provides SCORE CHOICE

30. Fee Waiver Eligibility
SAT
ACT
2 SAT fee waivers
2 SAT Subject Tests
Can be used for late registration
4 additional score reports
4 college application fee waivers made available in your college board account
2 ACT fee waivers
Cannot be used for late registration

31. Disability Services SAT ACT
Online Request made through your school counselor
Approval covers all College Board tests
Discuss accommodations with your counselor
Request for Accommodations Form completed with your school counselor
Form submitted when you register for the ACT
Approval covers additional test dates
Discuss accommodations with your counselor

32. SAT SUBJECT TESTS
Designed to measure students’ knowledge in particular subject areas
Twenty tests in 5 general areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science
Hour-long, content-based tests
Some colleges use them for admissions, course placement, and advising students about course selection
Students should review the admissions requirements of each college/university of interest
Up to 3 subject tests can be taken on a test date (except March date)
Fee-$26 per registration + $20 per test

33. Preparation for the SAT
Reading, Writing, and Problem Solving in and out of school
Rigorous Academic Courses
PSAT/NMSQT (review of the Score Report & My College QuickStart)
Getting Ready for the Redesigned SAT (full-length practice test)
CFNC.org (test prep module)
Khan Academy (free full-length SAT & tutorial videos)
College Board Web Site (collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat)
SAT Practice on Khan Academy
Daily Practice App
SAT Practice Tests
SAT Study Groups
Sample Questions
SAT Test Prep Programs
WS/FCS SAT Prep semester course (.50 credit)
Various programs and courses in our community (see your high school counselor)

34. Preparation for the ACT
Reading, Writing, and Problem Solving in and out of school
Rigorous Academic Courses
PLAN (comprehensive score report & test booklet)
Preparing for the ACT Test (full-length practice test)
CFNC.org (test prep module)
ACT Free Practice Resources at
ACT Question of the Day
Sample Test Questions
Test Tips & Test Descriptions
ACT Affordable Practice Resources
ACT Online Prep
ACT Kaplan Online Prep

35. Test Day Preparation Be well-rested. Eat breakfast.
Bring acceptable photo ID and admission ticket.
Bring several #2 pencils with good erasers.
Bring an acceptable calculator with fresh batteries.
Bring healthy snacks.
Arrive at the test center by 7:45 am (for February 28th ACT, arrive at school well before 8:55 and find your test room).
Know you should answer all questions because points are not deducted for guessing.
Believe that you will do your best.

36. Scoring the SAT Test Score 400-1600 Section Scores 200-800
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Math
Essay Scores 2-8 points on each area
Reading
Analysis
Writing
Percentiles for each Score

37. Scoring the ACT
Students receive a score for each part of the test and a Composite Score
For example: Score Nat’l %ile State %ile
English
Mathematics
Reading
Science
English/Wriitng
Writing(2-12) 10
COMPOSITE

38. SAT Score Reports Only mailed to home if requested
Available online at College Board Account
Usually 2-3 weeks after test date
Available to student’s high school through online account
Sent Electronically to Colleges/Universities
Select up to 4 schools for regular fee
Additional cost for each school beyond 4
Score Choice services
Most colleges/universities require that scores are received directly from the College Board

39. ACT Score Reports Available online at ACT Web Account
About 2 weeks after test date
Multiple Choice scores available first
March Score Report Mailed to Home
Set up ACT Web Account with ACT ID
Mailed to Students’ High School
Sent Electronically to Colleges/Universities
Select for up to 4 schools for regular fee
Additional cost for each school beyond 4
Most colleges/universities require that scores are received directly from ACT

40. How Do Colleges/Universities Use SAT/ACT Scores
Admissions Decisions
Scholarship Decisions
Course Placement
Program Placement
Course Exemption

41. Comparison of Colleges/Universities Middle 50%
ERW M
Appalachian State
Winston-Salem State
UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC-Greensboro
North Carolina Central
Wake Forest
Davidson College
Shaw University

42. Comparison of Colleges/Universities Middle 50%
Composite Range
Appalachian State
Winston-Salem State
UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC-Greensboro
North Carolina Central
Davidson College
Shaw University

43. UNC Minimum Admissions Requirements
English, Math, Science, Social Studies
Foreign Language (2 units)
2.5 weighted Grade Point Average
SAT = 880 or ACT = 17
Information at collegeboard.org/bigfuture or the institution web site helps understand how competitive they will be for admissions

44. Community College Admission Requirements
High School Graduation (transcript)
SAT or ACT scores welcomed for placement
Placement Testing
Allied Health/Nursing
Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nursing (RIBN)-FTCC & WSSU

45. Applying to College College or University Web Sites
College Foundation of North Carolina
Common Application
Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success

46. College Planning during Junior Year
Take rigorous courses and earn good grades
Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT
Involve yourself in school activities
Involve yourself in community service activities
Seek opportunities to be a leader
Seek enrichment opportunities now and during the summer

47. College Planning During Junior Year
Explore Colleges & Universities
College & University Web Sites
Admission Information
Application Process
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Student Life
Athletics-Arts-Activities

48. Visit Colleges & Universities
Attend Spring Visit Days or Weekends
Schedule Visit with Admissions
Prepare with Online Resources
Engage
Ask Questions

49. Learn About Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities
Merit-Based Scholarships
Need-Based Financial Aid
Understand College Expenses
Compare College Costs
FAFSA
CSS/Profile
Net Price Calculators

50. Learn About Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Information Sources
Mount Tabor Scholarship Update at web site
College & University web sites
Financial Aid Information Sources

51. Upcoming Events Spartan Showcase January 30th
Career Center Open House January 26th
6-8 pm
Enrichment Info Session March 2nd
Ready, Set…..Seniors April 20th
Senior Parent Meeting August
WSFCS College Fair October
Financial Aid Meetings October
All MT Forum meetings start at 6:30pm