2. TheTests
– PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 –
– 10TH (Fall or Spring) and 11th (Fall)
– Grade appropriate content knowledge + “what you need to succeed in
college”
– $16
– SAT –
– 11th grade (Spring) and 12th grade (Fall)
– Grade appropriate content knowledge + “what you need to succeed in
college”
– $47.50/$64.50 (w/essay) & additional fees for late registration, etc.
Fee waivers available through ATS.
– SAT SubjectTests –
– 11th/12th grade, only if needed
– $26 ($22 for each additional)
– ACT –
– 11th grade (Spring) and 12th grade (Fall)
– $50.50/$67.50 (w/essay) & additional fees for late registration, etc.
Fee waivers available through ATS.
3. PSAT/
NMSQT
and
PSAT 10
(TheCollege Board)
Total Testing
Time
2 hours and 45 minutes
Components 1.Evidence-Based Reading andWriting
1. ReadingTest (47 questions/tasks)
2. Writing and LanguageTest (44 questions/tasks)
2.Math (48 questions/tasks)
Score
Reporting
Scores will be reported on a shared common score scale with the SAT:The
scale ranges for the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 scores are 320–1520 for
the total score, 160–760 for each of two section scores, and 8–38 for test
scores.
Subscore
Reporting
Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents,
educators, and counselors
Who sees the
scores?
Other than you, National Merit Scholarship Program and a few other
national scholarship programs.
Colleges do not see individual scores. Student Search Service (opt in)
allows colleges to access some of the information you provide during the
registration process to send you information about their programs, and
will provide them with students who fall into a range of scores.
4. SAT
(TheCollege Board)
Testing Time 3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay [optional])
Components 1.Evidence-Based Reading andWriting
1. ReadingTest
2. Writing and LanguageTest
2.Math
3.Essay (optional)
Important
Features
•Rights-only scoring (no penalty for guessing)
Essay*** •Optional and given at the end of the SAT; postsecondary institutions
determine whether they will require the Essay for admission
•50 minutes to write the essay
•Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written
analysis of a provided source text
Score
Reporting
•Scale ranging from 400 to 1600
•Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading andWriting;
200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three dimensions for Essay
•Essay results reported separately
Subscore
Reporting
Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents,
admission officers, educators, and counselors
5. SAT
Test Length
andTiming
New SAT
Component Time Allotted
(min.)
Number of Questions/
Tasks
Reading 65 52
Writing and Language 35 44
Essay (optional) 50 1
Math 80 58
Total 180 (230 with Essay) 154 (155 with Essay)
6. SAT Reading
Test
Quick Facts
– All ReadingTest questions are multiple choice and based on
passages.
– Some passages are paired with other passages.
– Informational graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts,
accompany some passages—but no math is required.
– Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested.
– The ReadingTest is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and
Writing section.
7. SATWriting
and Language
Test
Quick Facts
– All questions are multiple choice and based on passages.
– Some passages are accompanied by informational graphics, such
as tables, graphs, and charts—but no math is required.
– Prior topic knowledge is never tested.
– TheWriting and LanguageTest is part of the Evidence-Based
Reading andWriting section.
8. SAT MathTest
Quick Facts
– Most math questions will be multiple choice, but some—called grid-ins—ask
you to come up with the answer rather than select the answer.
– The MathTest is divided into two portions: MathTest–Calculator and Math
Test–No Calculator.
– Some parts of the test include several questions about a single scenario.
Focus
The MathTest will focus in depth on the three areas of math that play the
biggest role in a wide range of college majors and careers:
– Heart of Algebra, which focuses on the mastery of linear equations and
systems.
– Problem Solving and Data Analysis, which is about being quantitatively
literate.
– Passport to Advanced Math, which features questions that require the
manipulation of complex equations.
– The MathTest also draws on AdditionalTopics in Math, including the
geometry and trigonometry most relevant to college and career readiness.
9. SAT Essay
TheTopic
– You can count on seeing the same prompt no matter when you take the SAT
with Essay, but the passage will be different every time.
– All passages have these things in common:
– Written for a broad audience
– Argue a point
– Express subtle views on complex subjects
– Use logical reasoning and evidence to support claims
– Examine ideas, debates, or trends in the arts and sciences, or civic, cultural, or
political life
– Always taken from published works
– All the information you need to write your essay will be included in the passage
or in notes about it.
10. SAT Essay
The Essay Prompt
– The prompt (question) shown below, or a nearly identical one, is used every
time the SAT is given.
– As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses evidence,
such as facts or examples, to support claims.
– evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
– reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
– stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to
add power to the ideas expressed.
– Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to
persuade [his/her] audience that [author’s claim]. In your essay, analyze how
[the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of
your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [his/her]
argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features
of the passage.Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the
author’s] claims, but rather explain how the author builds an argument to
persuade [his/her] audience.
11. SAT Essay
What the SAT Essay Measures
The SAT Essay shows how well you understand the passage and use it as the
basis for a well-written, thought-out discussion.The two people who score
your essay will each award between 1 and 4 points in each of these three
categories:
– Reading: A successful essay shows that you understood the passage,
including the interplay of central ideas and important details. It also shows
an effective use of textual evidence.
– Analysis: A successful essay shows your understanding of how the author
builds an argument by:
– Examining the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and other stylistic and
persuasive techniques
– Supporting and developing claims with well-chosen evidence from the passage
– Writing: A successful essay is focused, organized, and precise, with an
appropriate style and tone that varies sentence structure and follows the
conventions of standard written English.
12. SATScore
Structures
– Total score: 400–1600
– Evidence-Based Reading andWriting Section: 200–800
– Math Section: 200–800
– SAT Essay:Three scores ranging from 2–8
What you will see on your score report:
– Score Ranges
– Mean (Average) Scores
– College and Career Readiness Benchmarks
– Percentile Ranks
13. Calculating
YourScore
– Because there’s no penalty for guessing, your raw score is the
number of questions you answered correctly. Raw scores are
converted to scores on a scale of 160 to 760 using a process
called equating. Equating adjusts for slight differences in difficulty
between various versions of the test (such as versions taken on
different days).
– The College Board uses equating to make sure there’s no
advantage in taking the test on a particular day. A score of 400, for
instance, on one day’s test means the same thing as a 400 on a
test taken on a different day—even though the questions are
different.
14. MakingSense
of the
Numbers
Score Ranges
– Tests can’t measure exactly what you know, and many factors can
affect your score. After all, no two days are the same, and if you
were to take the SAT three times in a week or once a week for a
month, your scores would vary.
– That’s why it’s helpful to think of each score as a range that
extends from a few points below to a few points above the score
earned. Score ranges show how much your score might change
with repeated testing, assuming that your skill level remains the
same.
– Usually, section scores for Evidence-Based Reading andWriting
and for Math fall in a range of roughly 30 to 40 points above or
below your true ability. Colleges know this, and they receive the
score ranges along with your scores to consider that single
snapshot in context.
15. MakingSense
of the
Numbers
Mean (Average) Scores
– Your score report will show you the mean, or average, scores
earned by typical U.S. test-takers per grade. Unless your score is
much lower than average, you’re probably developing the kinds of
reading, writing and language, and math skills you’ll need in
college.
16. MakingSense
of the
Numbers
Percentile Ranks
– A percentile rank is a number between 1 and 99 that shows how
you scored compared to other students. It represents the
percentage of students whose scores fall at or below your score.
For example, a test-taker in the 57th percentile scored higher than
or equal to 57 percent of test-takers.
– You'll see two percentiles:
– The Nationally Representative Sample percentile compares your
score to the scores of typical 11th- and 12th-grade U.S. students.
– The User Percentile compares your score to the actual scores of
recent graduates who took the new SAT during high school.
17. SATScore
Ranges
SAT Score Reported Details Score Range
Total score Sum of the two section scores. 400–1600
Section scores (2) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. 200–800
Test scores (3) Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. 10–40
SAT Essay scores (3)
The SAT Essay is optional.
Reading, Analysis, and Writing. 2–8
Cross-test scores (2) Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in
Science. Based on selected questions in the
Reading, Writing and Language, and MathTests.
These scores show how well you use your skills to
analyze texts and solve problems in these subject
areas.
10–40
Subscores (7) Reading and Writing and Language: Command of
Evidence and Words in Context. Writing and
Language: Expression of Ideas and Standard
English Conventions. Math: Heart of Algebra,
Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to
Advanced Math.
1–15
18. SATSubject
Tests
The Basics
– There are 20 SAT SubjectTests in five general subject areas:
English, history, languages, mathematics and science.
– Each SubjectTest is an hour long.They are all multiple-choice and
scored on a 200–800 scale.
– SubjectTests test you on your knowledge of subjects on a high
school level.The best way to prepare is to take the relevant
courses and work hard in them.
19. SATSubject
Tests
When, Where, and How
– SAT SubjectTests are generally given six times in any given school
year, on the same days and in the same test centers as the SAT —
but not all 20 tests are offered on every SAT date.The Language
with Listening tests are only offered in November.
– You can take one, two, or three SubjectTests on any test date.
– You can’t take the SAT and an SAT SubjectTest on the same day.
– Some SAT SubjectTests require you to bring special equipment —
for example, CD players for Language with Listening tests.
– You choose what tests to take when you register, but on test day,
you can add, subtract, or switch tests — with some limitations.
20. SATSubject
Tests
SubjectTest Areas
Mathematics
• Math Level 1
• Math Level 2
Science
• Biology E/M
• Chemistry
• Physics
English
• Literature
History
• U.S. History
• World History
Languages
• Spanish
• Spanish with Listening
• French
• French with Listening
• Chinese with Listening
• Italian
• German
• German with Listening
• Modern Hebrew
• Latin
• Japanese with Listening
• Korean with Listening
21. ACT
act.org
English
•75 multiple–choice questions
•45 minutes
•Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical skills
Math
•60 multiple–choice questions
•60 minutes
•Algebra I and II, geometry, and some trigonometry
Reading
•40 multiple–choice questions
•35 minutes
•Four passages (prose fiction, social studies, humanities, and natural sciences) with
10 questions per passage
Science
•40 multiple–choice questions
•35 minutes
•Questions on science-based passages presented with graphs, charts, tables and
research summaries
Writing
•Writing test is optional
*
•1 essay
•40 minutes
*
We recommend taking the ACTWritingTest because some schools require it.
22. Understanding
yourACT
Scores
How ACT Figures the Multiple-Choice and Composite Scores
– First we counted the number of questions on each test that you
answered correctly.We did not deduct any points for incorrect
answers. (There is no penalty for guessing.)
– Then we converted your raw scores (number of correct answers on
each test) to "scale scores." Scale scores have the same meaning for
all the different forms of the ACT® test, no matter which date a test
was taken.
– Your Composite score and each test score (English, mathematics,
reading, science) range from 1 (low) to 36 (high).The Composite score
is the average of your four test scores, rounded to the nearest whole
number. Fractions less than one-half are rounded down; fractions
one-half or more are rounded up.
– Each reporting category includes the total number of questions in that
category, the total number of questions in that category you
answered correctly, and the percentage of questions correct. ACT
reporting categories are aligned with ACT College and Career
Readiness Standards and other standards that target college and
career readiness.
23. “What’s a good
score?”
UC Freshman Admissions Profiles:
– http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/profiles/index.html
CSU Eligibility IndexTable:
– https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility-index/Documents/eligibility-
index.pdf
BigFuture:
– https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
24. Important
things to keep
in mind
– Take both the SAT and ACT and see which one works better for you
– Sections are weighted relatively differently
– They are testing different things
– Test scores are not the only factor that colleges are considering
– Most schools are not going to hold multiple takes/scores against you
but don’t make test-taking your extracurricular activity
– Ranges that you see online are generally the 25th – 75th percentile
– Don’t freak out about test scores! However, one strategy can be to
work towards a specific score range (especially for the SAT) and then
keep practicing!
