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

Parenting Seminar: SAT/ACT

Mr. Jeffrey Fuller

2/18/2010

HFHSCP

Outline

Introduction to standardized testing What is the ACT

Relation to college What is the SAT

Relation to college How to improve scores Test Dates

Why standardized testing?

Colleges want to know what type of student they are receivingHigh-stakes funding and support

Not all schools are created equalThis places the burden on the student

Allows colleges to “fairly” compare students on a standardized basis

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

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

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

abilityMore importantly, showcases a willingness to

continually learn

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)

What is the ACT?

The American College Testing Program’s standardized aptitude test (1959)

Changed in 1996 to simply, ACT

Evaluates:College ReadinessCurrent level of knowledge related to academics

(What student’s know)

Breakdown of the ACT

Subjects covered:English – 75 multiple-choiceMath – 60 multiple-choiceReading – 40 multiple-choiceScience – 40 multiple-choiceWriting (optional)

Tips and Tricks of the ACT

English – pretty much a reg. English testKnow grammarCorrect what you knowTemporarily skip difficult Qs

Math – the first 30 Qs are the easiestThe second 30 are more difficultWhen going through the second 30, SKIP a Q

you don’t know how to do and move on

Tips and Tricks cont.

Reading – answer the question – they will be tricky and give additional infoAnswer what you know to be the answer

Science – Asks for data interpretationRead the graphs carefullyDO NOT assume you know from school

Tips and Tricks cont.

Writing – 30 minutes (not much time)Read the topic and build an outline in your headQuickly write a brief outline – and have a patternBuild 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

Tips and Tricks In general:

Answer questions you know firstAlways go back and at least guess on the othersThere 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

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

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 TestSAT 2 or SAT Subject Tests

Breakdown of the SAT

Critical Reading – 70 minutes

Mathematics – 70 minutes

Writing (Writing) – 25 minutes Writing (MC) – 35 minutes (25 + 10)

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 attitudeSteer clear of strong tonesUse process of elimination (POE)

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 studentsThis is difficult, as students are pressed for time,

and will want to find the FIRST idea around

Tips and Tricks: Math Concepts covered

Number and operations – Beginning conceptsAlgebra and functions – Getting difficultGeometry and measurement – “Oh boy” for someData 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

Tips and Tricks: Writing 25 minute timed writing – Rated 1 - 6

Read the question and background infoWhile reading, develop your point of viewJot down your BRIEF outlineThere is no format to followSTICK WITH THE TOPIC!Draw in outside ideas (but citation)

Ex: As Freud suggests…

Think Critically – don’t be afraid to be different

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!!

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

pointWrong 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

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

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

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

Today’s Question of the Day

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.