1. Parenting Seminar: SAT/ACT
Mr. Jeffrey Fuller
2/18/2010
HFHSCP

2. Outline Introduction to standardized testing What is the ACT
Relation to college
What is the SAT
How to improve scores
Test Dates

3. Why standardized testing?
Colleges want to know what type of student they are receiving
High-stakes funding and support
Not all schools are created equal
This places the burden on the student
Allows colleges to “fairly” compare students on a standardized basis

4. How they are designed
The tests are designed in a way that the "questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent“
Further, they are to be "administered and scored in a predetermined, standard manner.“
It is assumed a score stays consistent across testing dates

5. What they seek to find College Readiness Indicators
A “standard” for students on an achievement scale
A way to know if the GPA of students reflects their academic/ reasoning abilities
A process with which all students are tested equal

6. Do grades matter?
With all of this focus on testing, testing, and more testing, the question remains, do grades and everything else matter?
The short answer: YES!!!!!!!!!
But why?
Grades are a major indicator of academic ability
More importantly, showcases a willingness to continually learn

7. Can standardized scores assist student with low GPAs?
Absolutely! - My college roommate
This process is not a two-way street.
A high GPA but low test score will leave colleges questioning the difficulty of the school
(not the students willingness to do well)
A low GPA but high test score will show colleges a clear academic ability
(but not necessarily a willingness to stick with education)

8. What is the ACT?
The American College Testing Program’s standardized aptitude test (1959)
Changed in 1996 to simply, ACT
Evaluates:
College Readiness
Current level of knowledge related to academics
(What student’s know)

9. Breakdown of the ACT Subjects covered: English – 75 multiple-choice
Math – 60 multiple-choice
Reading – 40 multiple-choice
Science – 40 multiple-choice
Writing (optional)

10. Tips and Tricks of the ACT
English – pretty much a reg. English test
Know grammar
Correct what you know
Temporarily skip difficult Qs
Math – the first 30 Qs are the easiest
The second 30 are more difficult
When going through the second 30, SKIP a Q you don’t know how to do and move on

11. Tips and Tricks cont.
Reading – answer the question – they will be tricky and give additional info
Answer what you know to be the answer
Science – Asks for data interpretation
Read the graphs carefully
DO NOT assume you know from school

12. Tips and Tricks cont. Writing – 30 minutes (not much time)
Read the topic and build an outline in your head
Quickly write a brief outline – and have a pattern
Build your essay from there
Include: ideas that show topic understanding
Clear and logical viewpoints – DO NOT SKIP AROUND
Clarity and development are key – not structure

13. Tips and Tricks In general: Do not: Answer questions you know first
Always go back and at least guess on the others
There is no penalty for a wrong answer on the ACT
Do not:
Leave a question blank, you have a 25% chance of getting it right
Make fun designs with the remaining questions
Answer under 1 column, B

14. ACT - College Scores are reported by test date
Can choose to submit one or another test date
If with writing, both primary and writing are submitted if you request it to be sent

15. What is the SAT? Created by the College Board in 1901
Initially stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test
Changed to just SAT at a later date
Now known as:
SAT 1 or SAT Reasoning Test
SAT 2 or SAT Subject Tests

16. Breakdown of the SAT Critical Reading – 70 minutes
Mathematics – 70 minutes
Writing (Writing) – 25 minutes
Writing (MC) – 35 minutes ( )

17. Tips and Tricks of the SAT: Critical Reading – 5 question types
Details – Specific answers taken directly from the text
Vocabulary – BE CAREFUL HERE!!!
Writer’s will use words with multiple definitions
Ex: transparent, consult, leaves
Tone – Ask for a writer’s attitude
Steer clear of strong tones
Use process of elimination (POE)

18. Tips and Tricks: Critical Reading
Implications – Perceived as most difficult
What is the author inferring with regards to what he or she is saying?
Be careful with P.O.E.
Main Idea – What is the paragraph about?
A big struggle for students
This is difficult, as students are pressed for time, and will want to find the FIRST idea around

19. Tips and Tricks: Math Concepts covered
Number and operations – Beginning concepts
Algebra and functions – Getting difficult
Geometry and measurement – “Oh boy” for some
Data analysis, stats, probability – Run for the hills
Tips: ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU CAN!!!!
Get close? Remember, they figured out your wrong answers
Lucky for students, harder Qs = less often

20. Tips and Tricks: Writing
25 minute timed writing – Rated 1 - 6
Read the question and background info
While reading, develop your point of view
Jot down your BRIEF outline
There is no format to follow
STICK WITH THE TOPIC!
Draw in outside ideas (but citation)
Ex: As Freud suggests…
Think Critically – don’t be afraid to be different

21. Tips and Tricks: Writing
35 minute multiple choice
Improving sentences – 25 Qs
Identifying sentence errors – 18 Qs
Improving paragraphs – 6 Qs
Can a student critically analyze?
Do they know how to improve upon ideas?
Recognize grammar and sentence-structure errors
Know transition words!! Edit essays!!

22. Tips and Tricks: SAT in General
Always answer the questions you know
If you have no idea, DO NOT answer the question
Play the odds – assume each question = 1 point
Wrong answer = -1/4 point (-25%)
If…you know 1 answer is wrong, there is a 1/3rd chance of getting it correct (+33%), 2 = (+50%)
Play the odds and GUESS

23. SAT – College ALL scores are submitted regardless of test date
This is different from the ACT
ALL SAT 1 and SAT 2s are submitted
Cal State – Use the highest score from each curriculum area (Reading, Writing, Math)
Allows you to combine scores from multiple tests
University of California – The highest combined score
All scores are sent though, so they see everything
Private Schools – Varying, tend to lean toward UC

24. How to Prepare: both tests
PRACTICE!!!!
But make practice perfect
“If you practice something 80 times, you will be not better off on the 80th than on your 1st. If you do perfect practice 80 times, each practice will show improvement.” – Mr. J
What does this mean?
Analyze what you did wrong, see where you can improve, and where you can worry less

25. How to Prepare Utilize testing aides.
Get a CollegeBoard.com user account
Question of the day
Read difficult novels
The biggest discrepancy between their generation and even 10 years ago is language
Why? – look at what they are given in life
Take challenging classes in school
Play to your strengths

26. Today’s Question of the Day

27. Final Words
The ability to take a standardized test is important from the months of March of their junior year through December of their senior year
This ability does not determine future success
If as a family you plan ahead, and take the necessary steps, you will meet the goals.