This document provides information about standardized testing options for college admissions. It discusses the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, English proficiency tests like TOEFL and IELTS, and the IB Diploma. The document offers advice on which tests to take based on a student's university and major choices. It also provides resources for test preparation and registration details. Students are advised to create a testing plan with their counselor that fits their individual needs and strengths.

1. January 2018
Course Selection Night
College Admissions Testing

2. Testing, Testing, Testing—To Test or Not to Test
● Should I take the SAT or ACT?
● But what if I am doing the IB?
● Why do I need the subject tests if I’m taking the SAT?
● Do I need a English Proficiency test?
● I am not applying to the US. Do I need any
standardized testing?
● Join us as we discuss what these tests mean, how
they are used, and how to best navigate them.

3. What to expect today?
● SAT
● ACT
● SAT SUBJECT TEST
● Test-Flexible & Test-Optional Universities
● Test Prep
● TOEFL
● IELTS
● Other tests
● IB Diploma
● To AP or not?

4. Basics
● Meet with your counselor to create a testing plan
that is right for YOU!
● When in doubt, ask your counselor
● It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of
each specific universities requirements

5. HIGH SCHOOL CODES
ACT
www.actstudent.org/intl
HS Code: 705720
Test Center Code: 867480
(through June 2018)
SAT
sat.collegeboard.org
HS Code: 705720
Test Center Code: 74905

6. SAT Reasoning Test
What?
∗ Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) and
Math with an optional essay
∗ 1600 is the highest score possible
∗ 3 hours plus 50 min for the optional essay
Who?
∗ Students applying to US
∗ Some Asian universities also require
∗ Students without IB Diploma applying
internationally
How?
∗ Register at www.collegeboard.org

7. SAT
Two Sections:
○ Math (80 minutes long including 25 min no calculator section)
○ Evidence Based Reading and Writing ( 1 hour and 40 minutes)
● Scoring 400-1600 (800 per section)
● No Penalty for guessing
● Optional Essay (Some require, some recommend)
● Fewer questions than ACT
● Fewer obscure words (more vocabulary in context)
● More advanced math
○ Math without Calculator section

8. ACT (through June 2018)
∗ What?
∗ College admission exam similar to the SAT, includes science section
∗ Who?
∗ Students applying to US universities
∗ Why?
∗ A few US colleges will accept the ACT in lieu of the entire SAT
Reasoning and two SAT Subject Test requirement
∗ When and Where?
∗ Five times per year at ISM
∗ How?
∗ Register at www.actstudent.org

9. ACT beginning September 2018
∗ What?
∗ ACT Computer Adaptive Test - same test, taken on a computer
∗ Why?
∗ New method to administer the test
∗ Increased security and test validity
∗ Students receive scores in less than one week
∗ When and Where?
∗ Six times per year at another site in Manila (tbd)
∗ Offered in September, October, December, February, April, June
∗ Saturday and Sunday, two times each day
∗ How?
∗ Register at www.actstudent.org

10. SAT Subject Tests
What?
∗ 1 hour exams in English Literature, History, Languages,
Math, Sciences
Who?
∗ Generally those who are applying to selective US colleges
∗ Specific majors might require specific tests
How Many?
∗ You can take up to 3 in one sitting
∗ 2 is often required (Ex. Georgetown & Johns Hopkins recommend 3)
When?
∗ Cannot take them on the same test date as the SAT
∗ Language with Listening (preferred) is offered only in Nov
∗ June and November test dates are SAT Subject Test ONLY

11. Advice for Subject Tests
● Recommended to take June of IB1 or Fall IB2
○ For students taking APUSH, take Subject Test the same year
● Study – you can learn the material for them!
● What is a good score?
○ 700 + is competitive at the most selective colleges
● What if it’s not required?
○ If you can score well, it can help your application
○ Do not take too many
● Take what you can score well on, play to strength and interest
● It is not recommended to take a language subject test in your first
language.

12. TUFTS University- ACT vs. SAT + Subjects

14. Test-Flexible & Test-Optional
∗ FAIRTEST.ORG

15. Test Optional: All Applicants
American University

16. Test Optional: International Students
Loyola Marymount University

17. TEST Prep
● Choose what works best for you!
○ Class vs One-one-One vs Online vs Self-Study
○ How often?
○ Have I learned the content in class yet?
Academic Records (i.e., grades, predicted grades and
transcripts) have more weight in the application!

18. TEST Prep
● Free ACT and SAT prep for ISM students
● Modular lessons, which begin with a Skill Assessment, and
creates a learning path based on the performance of the
Skill Assessment.
● Videos and Practice Questions: Students must
demonstrate their understanding of these questions in
order to receive a completion rating (80%+).
● 3 free, full-length practice test per year.

19. English Language Proficiency Tests
● Passport holders of non-English speaking countries
(including the Philippines) are often expected to meet
English language proficiency requirements
● Each university and country will have its own
requirements
○ Waivers can be requested for some universities
● Possible tests include:
○ TOEFL
○ IELTS
○ IB English A grades (sometimes IB English B HL)
○ SAT/ACT scores in English-related subjects

20. TOEFL & IELTS
● Typical MINIMUM Requirements
○ TOEFL: 90+ (https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register)
○ IELTS: 6.0 (https://www.ielts.org/)
Both are offered in Manila (not at ISM)
SECTIONS TOEFL IELTS
SPEAKING 0-30 1-9
LISTENING 0-30 1-9
READING 0-30 1-9
WRITING 0-30 1-9
Final Score Sum = 120 Average = 9

21. Other Exams
● Medical School Exams (Summer/Fall of IB2)
○ UKCAT
○ BMAT
○ ISAT
● Other UK exams (Fall IB2)
○ LNAT (Law)
○ MAT (Math)
○ Oxford & Cambridge tests needed for some courses (not just
at Oxbridge)
● University-specific exams (before or during
application process)

22. IB
∗ IB Diploma “generally” required in Europe
and Australia
∗ IB Diploma students are exempted from the
SAT requirement in Canada and at some
universities in Asia
∗ ISM reports predicted scores for all IB
Diploma candidates
∗ All university offers are conditional
∗ UK and Australia set strict IB score conditions
∗ North American universities expect you to
achieve close to your predictions

23. Advanced Placement
∗ Myth: US colleges prefer AP to IB
∗ ISM offers AP US History and AP Human Geography
∗ US colleges do not expect ISM students to submit AP scores,
unless the student has taken AP US History
∗ ISM courses do not line up with AP course material
∗ AP exams are offered at ISM for a wide scope of subjects
∗ If taken in junior year, you can submit AP scores as part of
your application to US colleges
∗ Please don’t sacrifice grades and health by studying for a
bunch of AP exams

24. Generic Timeline
Junior Year:
∗ November-February: Take SAT/ACT for first
time
∗ February-May: If needed take SAT/ACT again
∗ TOEFL/IELTS: end of Junior Year
∗ June: SAT subject tests (if needed)
Senior Year:
∗ Last time for the SAT/ACT
∗ SAT Subject tests (if needed)

25. An Additional thought
● Junior Year Transcripts are important.
● Find a balance between testing and school work.
● You have to determine what is best for you - each
student will have a different (or NO!) testing plan

26. Additional Resources
● College Board Sample Questions
● College Board: SAT Suite of Assessments
● New York Time: Everything you need to know about
the New SAT
● https://www.khanacademy.org/
● http://www.usnews.com/education/best-
colleges/slideshows/10-top-ranked-colleges-that-
are-flexible-with-test-scores

27. Questions?