The Scholastic Aptitude
Test: SAT
Presenter:
Mrs. Gail Platt
Bethel High School
Counselor
The SAT Focuses on
College Success™ Skills
– Critical Reading
– Mathematics
– Writing
The SAT® tests students’ reasoning based on
knowledge and skills developed through their course
work.
It measures their ability to analyze and solve problems
by applying what they have learned in school.
Time Specifications
3 hours 45 minutes
Critical Reading: 70 minutes
Two 25-minute sections
20-minute section
Math: 70 minutes
Two 25-minute sections
20-minute section
Writing: 60 minutes
Two multiple-choice sections
one 25-minute section and one 10-minute section
one 25-minute essay
Variable Section: 25 minutes
Test Content and
Question Types
The Test measures academic achievement in the
areas of
• Critical Reading
• Math
• Writing
Test Scores
Critical Reading: 200–800
Math: 200–800
Writing: 200–800
Will include 2 sub scores:
Essay 2–12 (1/3 of writing score)
Multiple-choice 20–80 (2/3 of writing score)
SAT Scores for 2004-2005
• 233 students at Bethel High School took
the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
• The average scores for the SAT are as
follows:
Verbal
Math
Bethel
456
464
Virginia
516
514
Nation
508
520
Critical Reading
• Measures knowledge of genre (types of literature),
cause and effect, comparative arguments, and the ability
to recognize relationships among parts of a text
• Long and short reading passages are taken from
different fields:
– Natural sciences
– Humanities
– Social science
– Literary fiction
• Short reading passages now replace the formerly used
analogy section.
Math Section
Measures problem-solving skills
• Emphasis on math reasoning: SAT math
measures the ability to apply math content to
real-life problems.
• SAT is unique in having some “grid-in”
questions requiring student-produced
responses. Student generates his/her own
response to the problem.
Calculator Policy
• A scientific or graphing calculator is
recommended for the current test.
• Every question can be answered without a
calculator, calculators are definitely
encouraged.
• Previously, a basic 4-function calculator was
recommended, but now scientific is the base
level recommendation.
• Students should bring a calculator with which
they are comfortable and familiar.
The Math Section
Expanded Number and Operations topics
include:
– Sequences involving exponential growth
– Sets (union, intersection, elements)
Expanded Data Analysis, Statistics, and
Probability
topics include:
– Data interpretation, scatter plots, and matrices
– Geometric probability
Scoring Procedures
for the Essay
• Essays are scored by trained high school English teachers
and college professors with experience teaching writing.
• Each essay is scored independently by two readers
according
to the holistic Scoring Guide in conjunction with sample
essays selected for training.
• Essays are scored on a scale of 1 to 6 by each reader
(total score of 2 to 12).
• Essays are scanned and distributed to readers via the
Web.
• Scoring and reader supervision take place online.
ACT
Time Specifications
•
•
•
•
English 45 minutes
Reading 35 minutes
Mathematics 60 minutes
Science 35 minutes
ACT Content Areas
The test measures academic
achievement in the areas of:
– English
– Mathematics
– Reading
– Science
Test Scores
• Test sub-scores range from 1-36
• The composite is the average of the
test sub-scores.
ACT Scores for 2004-2005
• 81 students at Bethel High School took
the ACT.
• The composite (average) for the ACT
are as follows:
BHS:
17.6
Nation: 20.9
Calculator Policy
• You may use a calculator on the math
section, however it is not required.
• All problems can be solved without a
calculator.
• To be certain your calculator is permitted
visit www.actstudent.org
or call (800)-498-6481 for a recorded
message.
Basics of Test Scoring
• SAT: total of correct responses with a
penalty for guessing.
• ACT: total of correct responses without
penalty for guessing.
How Students Can Prepare
Students should:
– Challenge themselves throughout high school
by taking rigorous courses, including at least 3
years of math
– Read and write as much as possible—both in
and outside of school.
– Study Latin derivates (root words, suffixes,
prefixes)
– Study vocabulary: antonyms (words of opposite
meaning), synonyms (words of similar
meaning), and homonyms (words which sound
similarly, but are spelled differently)
– Comply with registration dates and fees.
How Students Can Prepare
Students should
– Explore resources on the internet:
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org
– Familiarize themselves with the SAT and ACT so they
know what to expect on test day
– Familiarize themselves with the different types of
questions on the tests, the directions for each type of
question, and how the test is scored.
– Take full length practice test in the SAT Preparation
Booklet several times.
– TEST FREQUENTLY WELL BEFORE YOUR
JUNIOR/SENIOR YEAR.
– Take the PSAT in October. It provides good
preparation for the SAT
Additional Materials
• Handouts are available in the lobby area of
the auditorium if you failed to pick them up
as you entered.
– Comparative features SAT/ACT 2004-05
– ACT Assessment at a Glance
– SAT Reasoning Skills
– Testing cost, calendars, dates for 2005-06
Please complete the brief program evaluation
form and leave it on the table in the lobby.
SAT PREP CLASS BHS
•
•
•
•
•
We have 10 available slots
Reserve for seniors first come first served
Reserve for juniors first come first served
Information sheet available in lobby
Additional class will be organized for the
April SAT tentatively scheduled: 28 Feb, 7 &
9 March, 14 &16 March, Super Saturday 18
March, 21 &23 March
• SAT 1 April 2006
HIGH SCHOOL CODE
• The High School Code for
Bethel High School is
C471-020
Thank you for joining us
this evening.
We are here to assist you and point
you in the right direction.
Good luck with all of your future
endeavors.