The document provides information to help students and parents plan a testing schedule for college admission exams. It defines various acronyms like PSAT, SAT, ACT and subject tests. It recommends taking the PSAT in 10th grade and using the results to determine readiness for the SAT or ACT to be taken in 11th grade. A timeline is suggested, including taking subject tests in 11th grade if required by potential colleges and retaking the SAT or ACT in the fall of 12th grade if needed.

1. PLANNING A TESTING
SCHEDULE
A practical guide for parents and students

2. WITH THE
END GOAL
IN MIND
It is never too early to
create a plan, set goals,
and become familiar with
the tests.

3. WELCOME
The goal of this evening is to provide you information about
the upcoming College Admissions Testing opportunities
that will be approaching in the fall of your student’s Junior
year.
We will define the different acronyms.
Help you start to plan a testing schedule.

5. DEMYSTIFYING THE....
PSAT
SAT I Reasoning Test
ACT with writing
SAT II Subject Tests
AP Exams

6. PSAT
What:Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship
When:Wednesday October 13, 2010---
Where:The PSAT is given at WHS
How: 10th graders are paid for by the school district.
11th graders need to register in Guidance by bringing in a
check for $15.00 made out to WHS and signing up.

7. PSAT
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
(PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board
and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a
standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT®. It
also gives you a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and
gain access to college and career planning tools.
Measures: Critical reading skills, Math problem-solving skills
&Writing skills

8. BENEFITS
My College Quickstart
My Road

11. SAT I-REASONING TEST
The SAT I is offered seven times a year in the United States and six times at international sites. The test:
* Takes three hours and 45 minutes
* Consists of 10 separately timed sections:
o Three sections test critical reading (70 minutes total)
o Three sections test mathematics (70 minutes total)
o Three sections test writing (60 minutes total)
o One variable (unscored) section tests critical reading, mathematics, or writing (25 minutes total)
* Assesses critical thinking and problem solving skills in three areas:
o Critical reading
o Mathematics
o Writing
* Includes three kinds of questions:
o Multiple-choice question, Student-produced responses (mathematics only) & Essay question
* Is machine-scored, except for the essay

12. SAT 2010-11 TEST DATES
(REGISTRATIONS DEADLINES TBD)
Oct. 9
Nov. 6
Dec. 4
Jan. 22
March 12 SAT only. United States and U.S. territories.
May 7
June 4

13. ACT WITH WRITING
The ACT includes multiple-choice tests in four subject areas
—English, mathematics, reading, and science. The tests
measure students' current levels of educational development
in these subjects. The Writing Test, which is optional,
measures skills in planning and writing a short essay.
Most colleges and universities in the United States accept
ACT test scores as part of their application process.

14. ACT 2010-11 TEST DATES
Test Date Deadline Late (additional fee)
September 11, 2010*
August 6, 2010
August 7 – 20, 2010
October 23, 2010
September 17, 2010
September 18 – October 1, 2010
December 11, 2010
November 5, 2010
November 6 – 19, 2010
February 12, 2011**
January 7, 2011
January 8 – 21, 2011
April 9, 2011
March 4, 2011
March 5 – 18, 2011
June 11, 2011
May 6, 2011
May 7 – 20, 2011

15. SCORE REPORTING
New SAT ®
Score-Reporting Policy
Designed to reduce student stress and improve the test-day experience, the College Board has approved
Score Choice™, an important change to the current SAT® score-reporting policy. This new policy gives
students the option to send SAT scores by test date in accordance with a particular collegeʼs score-use
practice. Score Choice is optional, and if students choose not to use it, all scores are sent automatically.
Each college, university and scholarship program has different score-use practices. The College Board has
designed an easy-to-use process that provides students with score-use practices for each participating
institution. Students are responsible for following an institutionʼs practice, and colleges and universities
will only receive the scores that students send them.
What does this mean? You can pay extra to send only the sitting
that you want to be sent.
Reality--the top colleges have stated that they want to see ALL of
your scores.

16. SAT II SUBJECT TESTS
Demonstrating subject-area mastery on SAT Subject Tests
in....
English: Literature
History and Social Studies: United States History &World History
Mathematics: Mathematics 1 & Mathematics 2
Languages: Chinese*, French*, German*, Modern Hebrew, Italian,
Latin, Spanish*, Japanese*, Korean*, Spanish* (*note that some
have listening options or requirements)
Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics

17. SAT II-SUBJECT TESTS
Each test is approximately an hour
Up to three tests can be taken in one test sitting
The Reasoning test and Subject tests can not be taken on
the same day

18. AP EXAMS
AP Exams are required if your student is taking an AP
course.
The exams are the first two weeks of May
Scores range from 5-1
Benefits are that your student may earn college credits for
the course if they earn between a 3-5.

19. REDUCE STRESS
plan ahead

20. REALLY?
How do we fit this all in??
Starting to plan now will help manage stress levels
Planning ahead can also save you money if you avoid late
fees

21. TIMELINE
Fall 10th grade-take PSAT
Fall 11th grade-take PSAT--Your student must register and pay in
guidance--scores are returned towards the end of December
Determine if your student is ready to take the SAT or ACT
Determine if potential colleges your student may apply to want
Subject Tests--if so, plan to get those in at the end of 11th grade
Winter/Spring 11th grade-Take SAT at LEAST once if not twice
Fall 12th grade-take one more SAT/ACT test if needed

22. COMING SOON
Naviance--a career and college planning program that uses
your student’s information to facilitate the search process
More information to come next school year