Standardized testing information

1. Career and College
Standardized Testing

2. Objectives
Objectives:
Students will acquire knowledge regarding
the proper preparation that is essential
in choosing from a wide range of
substantial post-secondary options,
including college.
Students will be provided with information
and materials that will enable them to
employ strategies to achieve future
career success and satisfaction.
PA Career Education and Work Standards 13.1.11.B, C, F
ASCA National Standards I.B, II.A

3. Starting at the Beginning
…with YOU!
Each of you are individuals with your own
thoughts, goals, and dreams. It is now time to
consider some very big questions such as:
• What are your personal goals?
• What steps are needed to reach these?
• What tests might you need to take to gain
admittance into this options?

4. Post Secondary Choices:
The Options
After graduation, you will have many
options to consider. Think about
your goals and what you need to
reach them.
• College/University
• Community College
• Vocational, Technical, or Career
Training (including
apprenticeships/internships)
• Armed Services
• Entering the Work Force
Hint: Each of these will
likely to have a required
standardized test of
some sort.

5. Standardized Tests
for the World of Work
Even if you are going right to the world of
work after high school, you may be asked
to take some tests. Be sure to be ready in
case you have to take:
• Math competency tests (often used to measure
readiness for a cash register)
• Reading tests (can be used to measure ability to
follow directions)
• Drug tests (used to ensure safe work environments)

6. Standardized Tests
for the Union Employment
If you are interested in a trade, be sure to
be ready in case you have to take:
• Math competency tests (often used to measure
readiness for medicine doses, measurements of
liquid, and angles)
• Reading tests (can be used to measure ability to
read plans, directions, instructions, or schematics)
• Drug tests (used to ensure safe work environments)
Sometimes the person who gets the highest scores
gets the jobs and those with lower scores do not!

7. • The SAT and ACT are globally recognized college admission tests
that let you show colleges, including community colleges, what you
know and how well you can apply that knowledge.
• Most students take the SAT or ACT during the spring of their junior
or fall of their senior year of high school
• Almost all colleges and universities accept either the SAT or ACT to
make admission decisions.
• The SAT and ACT scores are one of the most important factors that
colleges consider when making their admission decisions. Data
indicates that combination of high school grades and SAT/ACT
scores is the best predictor of your academic success in college.
Standardized Tests for Formal
Post-Secondary Study (College)

8. Practicing with the PSAT
The PSAT is practice for the SAT. Try to think of the
PSAT score reports as a roadmap. Its shows where
you’re doing well and what you should work on .
• Get summaries of your performance on each test and
content area
• Filter results to see how you performed on specific
questions
• Percentiles help show you how you did compared to
your peers and how you might align with admissions
criteria at post-secondary schools

9. Your PSAT Report
There is a lot of information on your score report. Let’s
examine it in detail with the help of this video.
Interpreting Your Score Report video

10. How To Improve Your Scores
Your PSAT score report can help to create an
individualized plan that has you work on what YOU
need to work on.
Linking Your PSAT score report to Khan Academy

11. “New” SAT showcases in March
• The redesigned SAT will feature 2 required sections –
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing AND Math and will be
scored on a 400 to 1600 point scale.
– Scores for each section will be reported separately and will each be
scored on a 200 to 800 point scale.
• Another important change is the move to rights-only scoring:
There will no longer be a penalty for wrong answers.
• They will also introduce an enriched score report that provides
more insight into students’ strengths and areas for
improvement, helping teachers and students focus.
• Register online at www.collegeboard.com.

12. New Optional Essay
• The Essay section will no longer be required by the College
Board. However, many colleges may still require students
to complete the Essay.
• The editing work students do in the multiple-choice
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section is deeply
predictive of college success.
• Feedback from college admission officers was split; some
of them found the essay useful while many did not.
When in doubt, give it a shot! Don’t close any doors.

13. Summary of the Changes

14. SAT Subject Tests
SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)
• Subject tests fall into 5 general subject areas: English, History/Social
Studies, Mathematics, Science and Languages.
• Measure your knowledge and skills as well as your ability to apply
that knowledge.
• Some colleges specify the subject tests they require for admissions
or placement; others allow applicants to choose which to take.
• All subject tests are one hour-multiple choice formats, however, some
tests have unique formats.
• Students should find out if the school to which he/she is applying
requires subject tests for admissions, how many tests, and what
subject areas are required.

15. SAT I & II Registration Fees
• SAT I (no essay) $43
• SAT I (w/ essay) $54.50
• Late registration add $28
• Change test/date/center fee add $28
• Waitlist fee add $46
• SAT II Subject Tests:
– Basic Subject Test fee $26
– Language Test with Listening add $26
– All other Subject Tests add $18 each

16. New SAT Prep
• What’s the best way for students to prepare for the
redesigned SAT?
– Rigorous course work will be, more than ever, the best
preparation for the SAT.
– As test day approaches, students can use free College
Board resources to get to know the exam and to build
on their preparation with targeted review and authentic
practice.

17. Standardized Testing: ACT
The ACT) is another standardized test that institutions also
use for admissions purposes. ACT is a test of knowledge,
similar to your chapter tests. If we were in the middle of the
USA, we would be talking about the ACT first instead of the
SAT! Students register at www.actstudent.org.
It differs from the SAT in the following ways:
• 4 sections on the ACT (Science is #4)
• Scores range from 1-36. (A 36 is equal to a 2400 SAT.)
• The way to “study” for the ACTs is to do your best in your
classes at NH. The ACT is similar to mid-term or final exams
that you would take at school here.

18. ACT Format

19. ACT Prep

20. ACT Registration Fees
• ACT (no writing) $39.50
• ACT (w/ writing) $56.50
• Late registration add $25
• Standby add $49
• Test date change $24
• Test center change $24
• Score reports for colleges 5 and 6 $12.50

21. Test Dates
Test Month Registration Deadline
ACT September Mid-August
SAT-I and II October Early September
ACT October Mid September
SAT-I and II November Early October
ACT December Early November
SAT-I and II December Early November
SAT-I and II January Late December
ACT February Late December
SAT-I March Early February
ACT April Early March
SAT-I and II May Early April
ACT June Early May
SAT-I and II June Early May
Offered at
North
Hills

22. Questions
No matter what path you pursue, it is likely that you
may have to take a standardized test of some sort.
Let us please answer your questions a this time.