This document discusses standardized testing options and recommendations for college admissions. It provides information on the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP/IB tests. It recommends taking the PSAT/PLAN in sophomore/junior year and the SAT/ACT in spring junior and fall senior years. The document also notes that some colleges are making standardized tests optional or allowing alternatives like SAT Subject Tests or AP scores. It provides tips on practice and free resources for test preparation.

1. Part 3: Testing
Dr. Rebecca Joseph
getmetocollege@gmail.com
rjoseph@calstatela.edu

2. TO LEARN MORE
 Email
 rjoseph@calstatela.edu
 getmetocollege@gmail.com
 Phone
 323-646-5759
 Facebook
 Getmetocollege Freeadvice
 Twitter
 @getmetocollege
 Website
 getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation
and under-represented students)

3.  Grades
 Academic Rigor
 Standardized Test Scores
 Strong applications
 Great essays
 Counselor Reports
 Extracurricular Activities
 Teacher Letters of
Recommendation
 Other Unique Features
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN MATCH
STUDENTS NACAC 2013

4. A NECESSARY EVIL?

5.  They were never intended for current
use
 Colleges use these tests to compare
students
 Understanding test options and
readiness will empower students in the
admissions process
STANDARDIZED TESTS!

6.  SAT I—Reading and Math= 1600 plus
writing
 ACT with writing-Reading, English, Social
Science, and Science
 SAT Subject Tests-One hour multiple
choice in several content areas
 AP tests-Three hour content specific tests
 IB tests-Year end tests for students in IB
programs.
THE TEST OPTIONS

7. BEST PREDICTORS
 Research shows
 SAT Subject Tests
 AP Tests
Are BEST predictors
YET SAT AND ACT
Still Prevail

8. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
 70% of students do the same on both
tests.
 For 30% of others, let’s look at
differences

9.  Can I take the tests too many times?
 Yes, of course. Taking it five or six times is torture
and students rarely go up after the third time.
 No. Take it as many times as you think will help
students.
 Note: Students would be wise to try it at least once or
twice in spring of junior year and once or twice in fall
of senior year. There are huge increases between
junior and senior year. Think of 16 versus 17 years
old and 17 versus 18. There are huge critical thinking
gains.
RECOMMENDED STANDARDIZED
TEST TIMELINE

10. SAT VS ACT
(1) ACT  content / SAT  problem solving
(2) Some students may score higher on one test than on
the other
Act’s less dependence on vocabulary favors students of
limited English proficiency, for students with higher GPAs
(above 3.4), and for females. SAT good problem solvers do well.
(3)Speed
(1) The ACT is speed test, while the SAT is not.
(4) ACT provides a more detailed score report
SAT(highest possible individual test 800) provides scores
for two sections and for essay (3 scales of 8). Total high score is
1600 is three sections totaled (highest possible 2400)
ACT provides details subsection scores (highest possible
score (36) broken by math content area and for essay (scale of
12). They provide composite score as well.
(5) Both offer score choice.
ACT--you can only send by test date
SAT I-you can send all or some scores, still test date.
SAT II-you can send by test and date
(6) UCS take highest one day score. Most other colleges do
composite based scores—highest sections.

11. RECOMMENDED STANDARDIZED
TEST TIMELINE
 Sophomore/Junior Fall-Take the PSAT (SAT
readiness) and/or PLAN (ACT readiness). If
there is real strength in one versus the other,
focus on that test. If not try both…through
junior year spring.
 Then go with ACT or SAT…Don’t overstress
your child….
 If you go ACT route, your child still needs to
take SAT IIs for top colleges, including UCs
through high school class of 2011.
 Develop a testing schedule that includes
 SAT Subject Tests at end of sophomore and
junior years.
 SAT/ACT in spring of junior year and fall of
senior year.
 Consider test prep…courses, books,
tutoring...Test prep does help. Aptitude and
content knowledge are not fixed. The tests ,
especially testing strategies, are coachable.

12. SOME GOOD NEWS…
COLLEGES ARE
BEGINNING TO REBEL
 NYU offers flexible policy
ACT or SAT
Or
Three SAT subject tests
Or
Three AP tests
For SAT II and AP options
 1 test humanities or literature
 1 test math or science

13. COLBY ALSO JOINS…
 Colby requires official results of
one of the following:
 the College Board SAT Reasoning
Test
 the American College Test (ACT)
with writing
 the SAT Subject Tests (in three
different subject areas)
 Colby will use the set of test
results that best advantage each
applicant.
COLBY ALSO JOINS

14. STANDARDIZED TESTING NOTES
 More than 950 colleges do not
require tests!!!
http://www.fairtest.org/university/
optional
 Check to see if students still qualify
for merit scholarships.
 See the following site for the most
up-to-date testing requirements of
top colleges:
http://www.compassprep.com/subject-test-requirem
/

15. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

16. GREAT NEWS!!
 Many schools allow ACT to count for
SAT and 2 Subject Tests. Check.
 Please take Subject Tests at end of
year that you take the classes.
 SAT now offers August test date.
 Khan Academy offers free SAT
online test prep.
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-
prep
 Princeton Review offers free practice
tests at local libraries.
http://www.lapl.org/teens/college-career/student-
smart
 Make sure to get contact your
counselor for free waivers. If you get

17. DIFFERENT ROUTES TO
UC…
 Eligibility in the Statewide Context
Students who meet minimum requirements
for coursework, grade point average and test
scores are admitted by this path.
 Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)
Students who rank in the top 9 percent at
participating California high schools may be
admitted through ELC. Must meet GPA and
testing requirements.
 Eligibility by Examination Alone
Students may qualify for admission by
achieving high scores on the ACT
Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning
Test, and on two SAT Subject Tests.
 http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/fr
eshman/

18. TO LEARN MORE
 Email
 rjoseph@calstatela.edu
 getmetocollege@gmail.com
 Phone
 323-646-5759
 Facebook
 Getmetocollege Freeadvice
 Twitter
 @getmetocollege
 Website
 getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation
and under-represented students)