1. GCM College Testing Info Night Gardner Humphreys Jan. 2016 College & Career Center Specialist George C. Marshall HS gkhumphreys@fcps.edugkhumphreys@fcps.edu 703-714-5506 Question: 1.Standardized tests are a lot of fun:

2. What are the Tests SAT, ACT, (TOEFL, ASVAB, etc.) SAT, ACT, (TOEFL, ASVAB, etc.) Trying to measure content learned or aptitude; about 4 hours Trying to measure content learned or aptitude; about 4 hours Provide a common yardstick Provide a common yardstick Both SAT and ACT widely accepted Both SAT and ACT widely accepted Not an IQ test! Not an IQ test!

3. Role in Admissions Most schools say grades and Most schools say grades and strength of schedule tops strength of schedule tops Scores used as check on a Scores used as check on a college's view of you; one more data point college's view of you; one more data point "Competitive" scores often mean a range, not a threshold; esp. helpful if “on the bubble” "Competitive" scores often mean a range, not a threshold; esp. helpful if “on the bubble” Value can depend on context: intended major, geographic region, gender, etc. Value can depend on context: intended major, geographic region, gender, etc. Weigh your time/energy/$ investment vs. the potential return Weigh your time/energy/$ investment vs. the potential return

4. Practice Tests At GCM: 9-10 th Grade: Automatic PSAT 9-10 th Grade: Automatic PSAT 11th Grade: Optional PSAT (only National Merit date though) 11th Grade: Optional PSAT (only National Merit date though) College Board emails went out Jan. 7-9 College Board emails went out Jan. 7-9 GCM will get paper copy early Feb. and we have recovery codes if no email or login won’t work GCM will get paper copy early Feb. and we have recovery codes if no email or login won’t work

5. Make a Plan 1. What level of scores are my goal? use Family Connection, other tools use Family Connection, other tools 2. Which tests are best? 3. Focus on low areas 4. Try ACT and SAT 5. Make a calendar 6. Try different methods, strategies

6. Family Connection & GCM Library Test Prep  Create a SIS Parent View account fcps.blackboard.com

7. Family Connection & GCM Library Test Prep

8. GCM Ranges SAT Math 520-670 Math 520-670 Reading 520-660 Reading 520-660 Combined 1050-1320 Combined 1050-1320 Subject Tests: Consider: Math II, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (M), Math I, Literature, US History ACT Top GCM students showing higher ACTs Composite 23-28 Composite 23-28 * Class of 2014 Fall (Not this kind)

9. The Middle 50% SATACT VCU980-119020-26 VCU980-119020-26 GMU1050-125023-28 GMU1050-125023-28 UVA1240-146028-32 UVA1240-146028-32 Tufts1360-150030-33 Tufts1360-150030-33 Beware Scattergram averages Beware Scattergram averages Look at context: school, region, major, etc. Look at context: school, region, major, etc.

10. Students register at: ACTwww.actstudent.orgSATwww.collegeboard.com Registering

11. Registration Steps 1. Pick date carefully 2. Get a fee waiver if you qualify 3. Select your 4 FREE colleges 4. Register online – locations vary 5. Use official name and address 6. Decide if you want lots of mail! (SSS won’t send SSN, phone # or scores) (SSS won’t send SSN, phone # or scores)  App for “Question of the Day”  Changes only until deadline, with fee

12. Test Day You slept, right? No cram. You slept, right? No cram. Practice finding site, visit the room = less unkowns, more knowns! Practice finding site, visit the room = less unkowns, more knowns! What to bring: What to bring: Ticket, ID, calculator, pencils, snack Ticket, ID, calculator, pencils, snack Checklist online Checklist online

13. Sending Scores Student responsibility Student responsibility Remember the 4 Free? Remember the 4 Free? Sent 3 weeks +/- after test date and posted online; otherwise 1-2 weeks after request, plus campus processing Sent 3 weeks +/- after test date and posted online; otherwise 1-2 weeks after request, plus campus processing Most use SuperScore for SAT Most use SuperScore for SAT Beware of Score Choice and Rush Beware of Score Choice and Rush Cost: 11.25 $ per school

14. Common Questions NCAA Division I Sliding Scale min. is 400 SAT with 3.550 GPA, 2.300 GPA if 900 SAT NCAA Division I Sliding Scale min. is 400 SAT with 3.550 GPA, 2.300 GPA if 900 SAT AP and IB test scores AP and IB test scores Scores and admission calendar (ED, rolling, deferred, waitlist, etc.) Scores and admission calendar (ED, rolling, deferred, waitlist, etc.) Transferring Transferring Community College Community College Schools outside U.S. Schools outside U.S.

15. FREE TEST PREP gcmhslibrary.com – (ACT & SAT Subject Tests) GCM Library\Databases\Career, College, Lifeskills\Testing gcmhslibrary.com – (ACT & SAT Subject Tests) GCM Library\Databases\Career, College, Lifeskills\Testing gcmhslibrary.com collegeboard.org/practice - with Khan Academy, link accounts collegeboard.org/practice - with Khan Academy, link accounts actstudent.org/sampletest – practice questions and sample writing prompts and essays actstudent.org/sampletest – practice questions and sample writing prompts and essays FREE study guides and practice tests in Career Center – Learn, after school, Mondays FREE study guides and practice tests in Career Center – Learn, after school, Mondays Teacher Workdays – Jan. 19, others teacher workdays Teacher Workdays – Jan. 19, others teacher workdays

16. Merit Aid & Scholarships  Examples:  Longwood – 1200 SAT/3.5 gets $8,500/yr  Ferrum – 1200 SAT/3.5 gets $20,000/yr  Check Family Connection; finaid.org; meritaid.com  Check with admissions and financial aid  Scholarship Dates: e.g. GMU is Nov. 1 !

17. Test Optional Colleges Verify with each college. Often have requirements in order to qualify (e.g. GMU: 3.5, course strength, extracurriculars, teacher letter) Verify with each college. Often have requirements in order to qualify (e.g. GMU: 3.5, course strength, extracurriculars, teacher letter) List of some colleges at www.fairtest.org List of some colleges at www.fairtest.orgwww.fairtest.org

18. Questions? Search: gcmcollegecareercenter For the latest, follow us on: facebook.com/mstatesmen twitter.com/MStatesmen facebook.com/mstatesmen twitter.com/MStatesmen facebook.com/mstatesmen twitter.com/MStatesmen