Key to the Future
Warm-Up Questions
CPS Questions 1 – 2
Note for teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
 College
Entrance Examinations
 College Placement Examinations
 Conquering Test Anxiety
 Test-Taking Strategies
 Procedures for Taking Standardized Tests
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
Are you a good test taker? If not,
why? What difficulties do you usually
face? How could you solve them?
Note for teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
 Entrance
Examination
A standardized test that helps admissions
officers determine who is qualified to attend
their schools
 Standardized
Test
One that is given and scored under the same
conditions for all students
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
A
college will compare your score with
other applicants
 Schools look at GPA and scores on
standardized tests
 Most colleges require applicants to take at
least one college entrance exam
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
 An
entrance exam that measures the
academic skills and knowledge students
most need for success in college
 Aptitude Test
Designed to demonstrate a student’s talent,
skill, or potential for learning
 Test
results are used by both private and
public colleges to evaluate admission and
granting scholarships
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
SAT scores may be the best
predictors of how well a
student will perform in
college
 Offered several times a year
 Takes 3 hours and 45 minutes
to administer
 Students generally start taking
the test in their junior year

Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
 SAT
provides a reading score, writing score,
and a math score
 Each section has a maximum of 800 points
 Average SAT score is 1500
 Students will also receive a percentile
ranking on the SAT
 To find out more information, visit the SAT
website at www.collegeboard.org
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future

Improving sentences
 Test correctness and effectiveness of expression

Identifying sentence errors
 Tests the ability to recognize grammar and usage errors

Improving paragraphs
 Involves reading a passage and answering questions

Essay writing
 Tests your ability to develop ideas into writing
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
 Sentence
Completion
Select best answer
 Passage-based
Reading
Used to determine how
well you understood what
you read
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
 Multiple
Choice
Questions
 Student-produced
Responses
Students compute their
own answers to math
questions
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
A
college entrance examination that is an
alternative to the SAT
 Achievement Test
Tests what a student has actually learned
 Most
colleges require the SAT or ACT
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
 Four
sections: English, Mathematics,
Reading and Science Reasoning
 Test length is 2 hours and 55 minutes
 Composed entirely of multiple choice
questions, with an optional 30-minute
writing test
 You can learn more about the ACT at
www.act.org
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
Learning Check Questions
CPS Questions 3 – 4
Note for teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
 View
the video “Test Taking Strategies for
SAT, ACT, EOC”.
 On
the worksheet provided, answer the
questions on the video.
 Be
prepared to share your answers with the
class.
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Having trouble viewing this video? Click HERE to view this video online
Key to the Future

Placement Test
Designed to help schools place students
in
classes where they’ll learn most

Advanced Placement Examinations
Given to students
who took AP courses in high
school
Provides the opportunity to earn credit or
advanced standing at most colleges
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
 College-Level
Examination
Program (CLEP)
Students
can earn college
credit without taking basic /
introductory courses
Enables a student to move on
more quickly to studying
advanced topics
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
 ACT
ASSET
Series of short placement tests
Measure a student’s strengths and needs
in language, reading comprehension,
mathematics, and study skills
Used primarily by community and
technical colleges
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Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
 ACT
Computerized Adaptive Placement
Assessment and Support System
COMPASS
A series of tests in mathematics, reading,
and writing
Used primarily by community colleges
 Institutionalized
challenge examinations
Allows students to qualify for college
credit
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
Learning Check Questions
CPS Questions 5 – 6
Note for teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
 Using
the worksheet provided, outline the
college placement exams included in the
textbook.
 Be
prepared to share your results with the
class.
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
Does the thought of taking a test fill you with
dread?
 Reminders for reducing test anxiety:

Approach the test with an “I can” attitude
Prepare yourself emotionally for the test
Remind yourself that you studied and that you
know the material
“Overlearn” the material—you can’t study too
much
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
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Chew gum or eat hard candy during the test if
allowed
Go to bed early
Eat a healthy meal before the test
Arrive early for the test
Sit back, relax, breathe, and clear your mind if you
become nervous
Come to the test with everything you need: pencils,
calculator, and other supplies
Read over the entire test first
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
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Listen to the teacher/proctor before the test begins
Keep an eye on the clock
Answer what you know first
Check your answers
Find out about the test before it is given
Find out exactly what the test will cover ahead of
time
Ask the teacher/proctor for a study sheet
Know the test’s rules and the teacher’s/proctor’s
rules
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
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Attend the review session if the
instructor/teacher offers one
Know what grade value the test holds
Ask about extra credit or bonus
questions on the test
When you get the test, jot down any
mnemonic (memory device)
Never look at another student’s test or
let anyone see your test
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future

There are several ways to
overcome your fears:
Take the preliminary SAT (PSAT)
Take a test preparation course
Utilize The Total College
Solutions DVD
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future



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Introduce you to the test format
Allow you to apply basic strategies in analyzing and
answering different types of questions
Provide opportunities to practice and increase your
speed
Provides a chance to analyze your test-taking
strengths and weaknesses
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
Learning Check Questions
CPS Questions 7 – 8
Note for teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
Use the Internet to take the Practice
SAT provided by The College Board.
Be prepared to share your answers
with the class.
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future

Don’t jump the gun
Take your time and re-read the question

Keep moving
Don’t spend time on a question

you don’t know
Guess smart
Narrow choices and make a best guess

Relax
Get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast and get to
the test site early
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
Try to answer the question,
before reading the options
 Be aware of answers
containing extreme
modifiers
 Read all options before
selecting the answer
 Cross off answers you
know are incorrect

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Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
Bigger is not always better
 Outline your thoughts before writing
 Be careful with spelling, grammar and
punctuation
 Use details where appropriate
 Write neatly
 Proofread your answer

Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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Key to the Future
Determine which tests are required for the
colleges you are applying
 Talk to your guidance counselor about when
and where the test will be given
 Schedule the test-prep course prior to the test
 Read a ½ hour per day to develop a good
sense of English usage
 Practice a variety of math problems every day
 Relax – the test is only one factor that a
college evaluates

Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
Learning Check Questions
CPS Questions 9 – 10
Note for teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
In groups, summarize the lesson by
providing answers to the questions
on the worksheet.
Be prepared to share your ideas with
the class.
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
 College
Entrance Examinations
 College Placement Examinations
 Conquering Test Anxiety
 Test-Taking Strategies
 Procedures for Taking Standardized Tests
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future
Review Questions
CPS Questions 11 – 12
Note for teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
Key to the Future

Essays, interviews, and campus visits
Chapter 4, Lesson 3
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