1. Junior Workshop Senior year and Beyond
NSHS Counseling Dept.

2. What are College Entrance Exams?
College entrance exams are assessments that colleges and/or universities use such as SAT or ACT along with your GPA, extracurricular activities, and high school involvement to determine if you are accepted into their institution of higher learning.

3. SAT 101
The SAT is a multiple- choice pencil and paper test used as a college entrance exam
Nearly every college or university in U.S. uses SAT scores to measure a student’s college readiness skills.
The SAT takes approximately 3 hours
and 45 minutes to complete, including three short breaks.

4. SAT Scoring SAT scores range from 400 to 1600 points
The lowest possible score you can get is 400
The highest possible score is 1600
The score that says you are college ready is 1000 and above!!!!!!

5. When should I take the SAT?
According to College Board, "Most students take the SAT during the spring of their junior year of high school. Many students choose to take the SAT a second time in the fall of their senior year after becoming familiar with the test day experience.”
Junior Year
& Senior Year

6. SAT Registration Dates- Register on or before the following
2017 SAT Test Dates
SAT Registration Dates- Register on or before the following
April 7th , 2017
May 9th , 2017
SAT Test Dates *
May 6th ,2017
June 3rd ,2017

7. SAT Prep & Sample questions

8. ACT 101
The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests.
The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions
The test takes 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)
3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)

9. ACT Scoring
Your overall score and each individual test score (English, Math, Reading, Science) range from 1 (low) to 36 (high).
The overall score is the average of your four test scores, rounded to the nearest number.

10. ACT Registration Dates- Register on or before the following
2017 ACT Test Dates
ACT Registration Dates- Register on or before the following
May 19th,
2017
ACT Test Dates
June 10th ,

11. Side by Side Comparison
SAT
ACT
When is it administered?
Seven times per year
Six times per year
Is there a penalty for wrong answers? No
How is the test scored?
per section, added together for a combined score.
1-36 for each test, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score.
What is the test structure?
Math, reading, writing and language. Essay is optional. (Many school require the essay).
Four-test exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly labeled experimental; the Writing Test (essay) is optional.
What is the test content?
Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II.
Science: none. Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension. Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice.
Math: up to trigonometry.
Science: charts, experiments.
Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science. English: stresses grammar; an optional essay.
Need more information?
Educational Testing Service (ETS) (609) The College Board
ACT, Inc. (319)

12. ACT Prep & Sample questions

13. Graduation Plans: Foundation PLUS Endorsement(s)-26 credits
4 credits in English
4 credits in Math
4 credits in Science
4 credits in Social Studies
2 credits in World Language or Computer Programming
1 credit in Physical Education
1 credit in Fine Art
.5 credit in Health
5.5 credits in Electives

14. Graduation Plans: Distinguished Level Of Achievement- 26 Credits
4 credits in English
4 credits in Math- Algebra 2 must be one of the math credits
4 credits in Science
4 credits in Social Studies
2 credits in World Language or Computer Programming
1 credit in Physical Education
1 credit in Fine Art
.5 credit in Health
5.5 credits in Electives

15. 5 Endorsements Students can graduate with one or more
STEM- Science, technology, engineering and math
Business/Industry- Arts, Business, Hospitality and Tourism
Public Services- Education and Training, Health Science, Human Services
Arts/Humanities- Social Studies, World Languages, Fine Arts
Multidisciplinary Studies- Allows a student to select courses from the curriculum of each endorsement area and earn credits in a variety of advanced courses from multiple content areas.

16. Senior Profile
Available from Ms. Langley in the counselor’s office or online: Senior Profile used for recommendation letters (college and scholarship letters)
Parent and student portions need to be completed

17. Applying to College: www.applytexas.org www.commonapp.org

18. Dual Credit/AP Scores:
Send scores to colleges

19. Paying for College: Fafsa
The FAFSA must be filled out for Financial Aid.
Register for pin numbers NOW! One for parent and student required.
Home - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid
Keep all logins and passwords in an organized place.
FAFSA needed for 4 year schools, Community Colleges and sports scholarships.

20. fafsa Apply starting October 1st-- Taxes from prior year are accepted.
Deadline for FAFSA: March 1st
Applicable for many larger Universities
Check your school’s FAFSA deadlines
Must be done as early possible for sports scholarships
All Colleges/Community Colleges have Financial Aid offices that can help you and your family fill out the FAFSA forms (no matter what school you plan to attend

21. TASFA The financial aid website for students who are not US Citizens
AIE - TASFA Application
Student I-20 number will be needed for registration.
All students can register for financial aid.
All Colleges/Community Colleges have Financial Aid offices that can help you and your family fill out the TAFSA forms (no matter what school you plan to attend).

22. Scholarships- Free Money!!
Download App- Scholly

23. asvab Military Interest/Career Inventory Sign up to test
Testing Date: October 19th
ASVAB Career Exploration Program ::
See Mrs. Schneider

24. Military Army- www.goarmy.com Navy- www.navy.com
National Guard-
Marines-
Airforce-

25. Unsure about College or Military
Unsure about College or Military? Companies that will hire high school graduates:
Austin Bridge & Road- and-road
Aire Dynamics-
TD Industries-

26. Questions?????
All contents from this power point was retrieved from The College Board Resource Guide, ACT Resource Manual and “ Official ACT to SAT (New 1600 and old 2400) conversion charts,” 2016
Educational Planning Guide