What You Need to Know (or not) About SATs and ACTs

1. What You Need to Know (or not) About SATs and ACTs December 2010

2. College Admissions Testing • SAT was traditionally and East Coast test and ACT a West Coast Test • SAT more common in the area, but ACT participation has increased dramatically • Most colleges accept both scores • Some colleges do not require admissions testing or may use it for course placement • Two-year programs do not require testing

3. What is the SAT • First administered in 1926 • Originally an acronym for Scholastic Aptitude Test • Now just a “brand” – College Board refers to it as a test of critical thinking skills

4. What is the ACT? • First administered in 1959 in response to t the SAT • ACT Inc claims that it measures aptitude and achievement • More closely tracks HS curriculum

5. Notes on Both • The correlation between SAT and ACT scores is between .89 and .92 • This means that most students will perform similarly on both tests • There can be huge differences for some students • ACT has “score choice”. SAT has “score choice” at colleges who permit it.

7. Take SAT if: You have time management issues Want a more “macro” essay question Are a good writer since it is factored into composite score Take ACT if: Writing essay first will drain energy Want essay optional and not factored into composite Want a more direct essay question English/Writing

8. Take SAT if: Good at strategy Strong vocabulary Take ACT if: Fast reader Good at skimming text Weaker vocabulary Need more predictability Reading

9. Take SAT if: Can solve problems multiple ways Like “mental sprints” Can combine math from different levels Good reasoning and critical thinking Take ACT if: Good familiarity of classroom math Benefit from straightforward questions Math

10. Take SAT Subject if: School requires it Very strong in a specific science Strong content knowledge Take ACT if: Good at interpreting info and making conclusions Good score here can pull up composite Science

11. SAT is: More vocab heavy Math requires reasoning and combined concepts Essay required and part of total score More sections that are shorter in length Switch between tested areas Schools will look at section scores AND total score Fewer charts and data sets Requires careful reading on all sections Good for good test takers with good strategies ACT is: More straightforward Assess reasoning through science More advanced math, but only a few questions Essay optional Fewer sections that are longer All questions in an area presented at one time More “big picture” – total score most important Good for students who work hard and benefit from review of concepts Good for students who need predictability SAT vs. ACT

12. Accommodations • Accommodations available on both tests • Not flagged on score reports • Most common is 50% Extended Time (Time and a Half) • All other accommodations are much harder to obtain • Having accommodation in school does not mean you will receive it on SAT or ACT

13. Extended Time Use of a computer (no spell or grammar check) Scribe Enlarged print Enlarged scantron Longer breaks Individual testing Testing over multiple days Braille Small group testing Reader Sample Accommodations

14. How to Apply for AccommodationsSAT • Complete consent form with case manager (by Spring of 10th grade) • Case Manager will apply online • Takes 6+ weeks for approval depending on documentation needed • Will be notified by mail and email to Case Manager • Will be assigned SSD Number that can be used when registering for all PSAT, SAT and AP tests through graduation

15. How to Apply for AccommodationsACT • Decide on testing date • Go to ACT.ORG and search for students with disabilities • Complete application for Extended Time National Testing or Special Testing • Both forms have sections to be completed at school by case manager and may need documentation • Both forms have different submission directions and addresses • Must be done EARLY!

16. How to Increase the Odds of Being Approved • Apply early to allow time to submit additional documentation or to appeal • Have updated assessments and/or documentation (within three years for testing and within one for medical and psychiatric diagnoses) • The accommodations need to be used regularly in school

17. Other Options to SAT/ACT • Score Optional Colleges (fairtest.org): These schools do not require SAT or ACT for admission. Some may request it for course placement only (in lieu of placement testing) • Two-Year Colleges: Most have transfer agreements with several to many prestigious four year programs as long as the student achieves certain criteria (like GPA).

18. Thanks for Coming