1. College Entrance TESTs SAT, ACT, PSAT, PLAN & More
Johnna Cheek
Christina Sawyer

2. College Entrance Tests Use at Community Colleges

3. College Entrance Tests: One piece of the puzzle
ACT/SAT
Scores
Rigor/Grades
Extracurricular Activities
Rank, essay, recommendations, etc.

4. College Entrance Tests
Minimum Admissions Requirements
SAT or ACT required with application to any UNC System School
Beginning with Fall 2013, UNC System Schools will have a requirement of an 800 (R+M) on the SAT or 17 on the ACT (
Test Optional Schools (WFU, Guilford, etc.) – Interview, writing samples instead
Introductory notes.

5. SAT or ACT? Most all colleges accept EITHER or BOTH tests
Majority of schools use the HIGHEST test scores, regardless of when taken
Specific ACT/SAT policies can be found at college websites or on and
Objectives for instruction and expected results and/or skills developed from learning.

6. SAT vs. ACT
SAT
Designed to measure thinking and problem-solving ability
Stronger emphasis on vocabulary
Algebra & Geom – some free response questions
Divided into 9 smaller sections (3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing)
140 questions
Essay first
3 hours, 45 minutes
Scoring - Penalty for wrong answers
ACT
Questions more straightforward; more like a “school” test
More focus on grammar, punctuation, and syntax
Includes some Trig.
Includes Science (tests reading and reasoning skills)
Divided into big “chunks” – English, Math, Reading, & Science
215 questions
Essay last
3 hours, 25 minutes
Beginning course details and/or books/materials needed for a class/project.

7. Scoring SAT ACT Critical Reading – 200-800 Mathematics – 200-800
Writing –
National Averages
Critical Reading – 497 (NC 493)
Mathematics – 514 (NC 508)
Writing – 489 (NC 469)
CR+M top score 1600
(average ~1000)
CR+M+W top score 2400
(average ~1500)
ACT
English – 1-36
Mathematics – 1-36
Reading – 1-36
Science – 1-36
Composite – 1-36
(average of 4 scores rounded)
National Averages
English 20.6 (NC 21.2)
Math 21.1 (NC 22.4)
Reading 21.3 (NC 22.2)
Science 20.9 (21.4)
Composite 21.1 (21.9)
(NC only 18% graduates tested)
Beginning course details and/or books/materials needed for a class/project.

8. Concordance Tables

10. SOURCE: www.collegeboard.org

11.
Same information, different format (averages and middle 50% range)
Plan
To College
Explore Post-Secondary Schools
Search for School
Admissions Tab

13. NC’s College & Career Promise
Beginning this year, all Juniors will take the ACT in March FREE OF CHARGE ($49.50 value)
Beginning this year, all SOPHOMORES took the PLAN during December
Introductory notes.

14. Recommendations Take PLAN as sophomore
Take PSAT as sophomore and junior
Take ACT and SAT as junior (SAT after Alg 2)
Take best of two as senior (or both)
A list of procedures and steps, or a lecture slide with media.

15. How to Prepare Use PSAT/PLAN results www.cfnc.org www.actstudent.org
CapEd
Sylvan
Princeton Review
Plus MANY more…
Conclusion to course, lecture, et al.

16. Questions? Grade-level Groups 10th Graders & Parents – Auditorium
PLAN & PSAT Scores
11th Graders & Parents – Library
PSAT Scores
ACT/SAT Recommendations
An opportunity for questions and discussions.