December, 2011
Mount Tabor High School
SAT/ACT Overview
SAT/ACT Registration
SAT/ACT Preparation
SAT/ACT Score Reporting




SAT www.collegeboard.org
ACT www.act.org
Community College Placement Testing

ACCUPLACER/Computerized Placement Test @FTCC




Most colleges/universities require the SAT or ACT
Most colleges/universities will accept either the SAT or ACT
Students may choose to take both the SAT and the ACT
Some colleges/universities allow students to apply without SAT/ACT

What Information do Colleges Use in Making
Admissions Decisions?






Grades
Course Rigor
Class Rank
Grade Point Average
Activities
Interests






Accomplishments
Talents
Recommendations
Community Service
Career Plans
Test Scores


Measures critical thinking skills necessary for college success

Measures current levels of educational development

Compares applicants on a standardized measure

Predicts academic success in college or a particular major (along with high school grades in rigorous academic courses)

Placement into appropriate beginning courses or course levels

Identification for scholarship opportunities


Measures academic skills in three basic academic areas important for college success



Critical Reading
Math
Writing

Total Test Time: 3 hours 45 minutes


Arrive before 8 am at test site
Three short breaks



Question Types


Passage-Based Reading
Sentence Completions
48 Questions
19 Questions
Three Sections – two 25-minute, one 20-minute

Score 200-800




Question Types

Standard Multiple Choice

Student-Produced Responses
44 Questions
10 Questions
Math Concepts


Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2
Integrated Math 1, 2, 3
Three Sections – two 25-minute, one 20-minute

Score 200-800



Question Types


Essay
Multiple Choice
Score


Essay Subscore
Multiple Choice Subscore
25 minutes one 25-minute, one 10-minute

The essay, which is always the first question on the SAT, measures a student’s skill in developing and expressing a point of view on an issue.
200-800
2-12
20-80


Points are deducted for wrong answers on multiple choice items

Random Guessing is not recommended

Eliminating wrong answer choices is a good test-taking strategy







English Test-45 minutes
Reading Test-35 minutes
Mathematics Test-60 minutes
Science Test-35 minutes
Writing Test-30 minutes

Essay Subscore 2-12
Composite

Average of 4 test scores-does not include writing
1-36
1-36
1-36
1-36
1-36
1-36


One 75-question, 45 minute test

Measures understanding of conventions of standard written English
(punctuation, grammar, usage, sentence structure and rhetorical skills)

Five essays or passages with multiple choice questions

Total Score of 1-36 (benchmark=18)


Usage/Mechanics Subscore
Rhetorical Skills Subscore


One 60-question, 60 minute test

Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 (IM 1-3)

Calculator use is allowed and recommended

Total Score 1-36 (benchmark=22)



Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Subscore
Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Subscore
Geometry/Trigonometry Subscore


One 40-question, 35 minute test

Measures reading comprehension skills

Four prose passages with multiple choice questions

Total Score 1-36 (benchmark=21)

Social Studies/Science Subscore

Arts/Literature Subscore


One 40-question, 35 minute test

Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in natural science

Total Score 1-36 (benchmark=24)


One 30-minute essay

Defines an issue with two points of view

Write in response to a question about your position on the issue

Total Score 1-12

Optional (decide when your register), but most colleges require


Designed to measure students’ knowledge in particular subject areas

Some colleges use them for admissions, course placement, and advising students about course selection

Students should review the admissions requirements of each college/university of interest

Up to 3 subject tests can be taken on a test date (except
March date)

Fee-$22 per registration (additional tests $11 each)


Online Registration at sat.collegeboard.org/register
$49.00

Mail Registration

Late Registration
$49.00
$49.00 + $26.00

Standby Registration
$49.00 + $43.00

Registration materials are available at all high school Guidance Offices.






Online registration at www.actstudent.org
$34.00
Mail in registration
Late registration
$34.00
$55.00
Standby registration
Additional fee for Writing
$76.00
$15.50

Registration Materials are available at all high school
Guidance Offices.









Choose the test date and test center immediately
Get immediate registration confirmation
24-hour access to registration
Print admission ticket immediately
Use same account to register for additional test dates
Fee waiver registration is available online
Approved accommodation request also online
Online account allows more timely access to score report








Reading, Writing, and Problem Solving in and out of school
Rigorous Academic Courses
PSAT/NMSQT (review of the Score Report & My College QuickStart)
SAT Practice Booklet & Practice Test (full-length practice test)
CFNC.org (test prep module)
College Board Web Site ( sat.collegeboard.org/practice )

SAT Question of the Day





General Test Taking Approaches
Test Item Practice (each area)
Official SAT Practice Test (free)
Official SAT Online Course ($69.95)
Official SAT Study Guide ($21.99)
SAT Test Prep Programs

WS/FCS SAT Prep semester course (.50 credit)

Various programs and courses in our community (see your high school counselor)


East Forsyth High School

Mount Tabor High School

Parkland High School

Quality Education Academy
(October & June)

West Forsyth High School
(October & March)








Reading, Writing, and Problem Solving in and out of school
Rigorous Academic Courses
Test Preparation Booklet (full-length practice test)
CFNC.org (test prep module)
Sample Questions and Writing Prompt at www.act.org
ACT Online Prep available at www.actstudent.org/testprep

Cost is $19.95
The Real ACT Prep Guide at www.actstudent.org/testprep

Cost is $19.95


Mount Tabor High School

Parkland High School










Be well-rested.
Eat breakfast.
Bring acceptable photo ID and admission ticket.
Bring several #2 pencils with good erasers.
Bring an acceptable calculator with fresh batteries.
Bring healthy snacks.
Arrive at the test center by 7:45 am.
Know the directions about guessing.
Believe that you will do your best.


Students receive a separate score on each section of the SAT (200-800)

For example:

Critical Reading
Score
690
Nat’l % State%
94 96

Mathematics

Writing


Multiple Choice
Essay
540
530
52
08
56
62
58
67



Students receive a score for each part of the test and a
Composite Score
For example: Score Nat’l %ile State %ile






English
Mathematics
25
21
Reading
Science
26
22
English/Wriitng 26

Writing(2-12) 10
COMPOSITE 24
80
58
78
65
82
75
83
58
79
69
--
77





Mailed to Student’s Home Address
Available online
Mailed to Student’s High School
Sent Electronically to Colleges/Universities



Select up to 4 (SAT) or 6 (ACT) schools for regular fee
Additional cost for each school beyond 4 or 6
Most colleges/universities require that scores are received directly from the College Board or ACT






Admissions Decisions
Scholarship Decisions
Course Placement
Program Placement
Course Exemption

CR
Appalachian State 510-630
Winston-Salem State 400-480
UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC-Greensboro
590-670
460-560
North Carolina Central 380-460
Wake Forest 600-690
Johnson C. Smith 390-470
M
530-610
410-490
610-710
460-560
390-470
620-710
400-480
W
490-590
380-460
-
590-690
440-550
-
370-450

Composite Range
Appalachian State
Winston-Salem State
UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC-Greensboro
North Carolina Central
Duke University
Johnson C. Smith
22-26
16-19
27-31
15-18
29-34
16-19



Fee Waivers are available to students who qualify (see your school counselor)


Two for SAT Reasoning and two for SAT Subject Tests
Two for the ACT
Students with disabilities may request accommodations

Student, Parent, and School Official complete the SSD Form










Take rigorous courses and earn good grades
Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT
Search web sites for college/university information
Visit colleges/universities (breaks from school and summer)
Involve yourself in school activities
Involve yourself in community service activities
Seek opportunities to be a leader
Seek enrichment opportunities now and during the summer
Learn about financial aid possibilities




Free application for federal student aid (fafsa.ed.gov) www.studentaid.ed.gov
www.cfnc.org
www.fastweb.com