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Guidance Department |
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SATs, ACTs & PSATsSAT Registration
November 7, 2009 April 29, 2010 ACT Registration
SAT vs. ACT: How do the Tests Compare?
When is it administered? Seven times per year Six times per year What is the test structure? Ten-section exam: Three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. Four-section exam: English, Math, What is the test content? Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II. Science: none. Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice. Math: up to trigonometry. Science: charts, experiments. English: stresses grammar. Penalty for wrong answers? Yes No How is the test scored? 200-800 per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest possible combined score. 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score. Are all scores sent to schools? Yes. If a student requests a score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken. No. There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see. Are there other uses for the exams? Scholarship purposes. Scholarship purposes. Certain statewide testing programs. Best time to register? At least six weeks before the test date At least four weeks before the test date Need more information? Educational Testing Service (ETS) ACT, Inc.:
SAT/ACT Practice Tests: http://www.number2.com/ Number2.com's online test preparation courses are totally free! By creating an account you can access a customized course that includes user-friendly tutorials, practice sessions that dynamicall adapt to each student's student's ability level, a vocabulary builder, and more.
The PSAT/NMSQT http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html
The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. If they qualify, Juniors are eligible to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills, which you have developed over many years.
This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes. The most common reasons for taking the test are: § To receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice. § To help prepare yu for the SAT by familiarizing yourself with the kinds of questions and directions you will see on the SAT. § To see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college. § To enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11). § To receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service. What's on the Test?
The whole test requires two hours and 10 minutes. The PSAT/NMSQT includes five sections: Ø Two 25-minute critical reading sections Ø Two 25-minute math sections Ø One 30-minute writing skills section Critical Reading: Two 25 minute critical reading sections = 48 questions
§ 13 sentence completions
§ 35 critical reading quesitons
Math: Two 25-minute math sections = 38 questions
§ 28 mulitple choice math questions
§ 10 student-produced responses or grid-ins
§ Numbers and operations
§ Algebra and Functions (but not 3rd yearl level math that may appear on the new SAT)
§ Geometry and Measurement
§ Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probality
Writing Skills: One 30-minute writing section = 39 questions
§ 14 Identifying sentence errors
§ 20 Improving sentences
§ 5 Improving paragraph questions
SCHOLARSHIPS AND RECOGNITIONBy taking the PSAT/NMSQT, you may qualify to enter the competitions for prestigious scholarships and participate in recognition programs. As co-sponsor of the PSAT/NMSQT, NMSC receives all students' scores. If you do not want your scores released to other recognition programs, contact them.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)Students in the eleventh grade of high school enter NMSC competitions by taking the PSAT/NMSQT, which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.4 million entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry and/or participation requirements. NMSC uses the Selection Index score (CR + M + W) on the PSAT/NMSQT as an initial screen of program entrants and to designate groups of students to be honored in the competitions it conducts. For more information about NMSC, visit www.nationalmerit.org.National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP)
The College Board's NHRP was initiated in 1983 to identify outstanding Hispanic high school students and to share information about these academically well-prepared students with subscribing colleges and universities. In order to be eligible, students must be at least one-quarter Hispanic. Each year the NHRP identifies approximately 3,300 of the highest scoring students from a nationwide total of 124,000 high school juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT and designated themselves as Hispanic, as well as approximately 125 of the top scoring PAA students from Puerto Rico. For more information about NHRP, please email nhrp@collegeboard.org or call (800) 626-9795.
NHRP Eligibility RequirementsQualification for recognition is based on the student's combined critical reading, mathematics, and writing skill scores on the PSAT/NMSQT when taken in the eleventh grade of high school. PSAT/NMSQT score cut-offs vary each year by state. Students must also self-identify themselves as Hispanic on the PSAT/NMSQT answer sheet. A minimum grade point average (GPA) is established for the program and academic information is requested directly from the high schools.To qualify for this program, the student must be at least one-quarter Hispanic, according to the following definition: A person of Mexican-American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish cultures or origins. For purposes of this program, this does not include persons from Brazil or Portuguese culture/origin, or persons from the Philippines. Hispanic is an ethnic category not a racial category and Hispanics may be of any race.
NHRP Dates and DeadlinesOctober: High School juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT and self-identify as Hispanic on the answer sheet.
National Scholarship Service (NSSFNS)
The NSSFNS offers a free college advisory and referral service for students who plan to attend two-year or four-year colleges. Scores are sent for students in eleventh grade who indicate that they are African American. (Note: This program is not conducted by NMSC.)For more information, write to:
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