CSAP (Colorado Standard Assessment of Performance)

CSAP is a series of tests that gather baseline data on student performance in reading, writing, and math. All students in Colorado public schools are required to take CSAP tests in grades 4-10 Eventually performance on these tests will be one way a student can show proof of graduation readiness. These tests are also being used to evaluate the effectiveness of our school system. CSAPs are given in the Spring over usually a five day period. Certain scores on some tests will substitute for proficiency demonstrations at SSHS.

PLAN Test

All sophomores take the PLAN test in October. The test is free for SSHS students. No test preparation is necessary.

The PLAN test predicts how students will perform on the ACT in areas of English, math, reading, and science reasoning while they still have 1-2 years to strengthen weak areas. Sophomores can see how their skills compare to those of sophomores from all over the United States. Students receive career-planning booklets that explain their results on the ACT World of Work map and suggest compatible careers that they should investigate further. Families are urged to attend a PLAN test interpretation program about a month after the PLAN. It assists families in making wise coursework decisions for junior year and can be used as a predictor for ACT or SAT test scores. Students receive their PLAN test booklet back and can use it to identify strengths and weaknesses in their testing ability.

PSAT Test

Sophomores and juniors have the option of taking this test in October for a fee of approximately $18.00. Students register through the SSHS Counseling Center from late-September through mid-October. They receive free practice materials when they register. Students can improve their scores by purchasing/using PSAT prep books or software in the six months preceding this test. Working on vocabulary and analogies can be particularly helpful.

The PSAT is intended for juniors but some sophomores choose to take it for practice. The PSAT predicts how students will perform on the SAT; it assesses math, verbal, and writing skills. Juniors scoring in the top .5% nationally will qualify as National Merit semi-finalists, one of the highest academic honors in our country. The PSAT is also used as a tiebreaker when seniors have identical grade point averages and ACT composite scores.

ASVAB Test -There is not obligation to the military in taking this test.

The Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) can be taken in grades 10, 11, or 12. At SSHS this test is offered in December. Students in any other grades may sign up for this test at the start of school. In addition to traditional tests of academic, verbal, and math skills, it assesses vocational aptitudes in word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, general science, auto and shop information, mechanical comprehension, electronics information, numerical operations, and coding speed. A career-planning booklet that accompanies the results helps students match their interests, abilities, and priorities to compatible occupations, both civilian and military.

SSHS uses the results of this test as a real world “reality check.” If a student is not going to qualify for military entrance, it’s good to find that out in sophomore year while there is still time to either make other post-secondary plans or dive into intensive academic remediation. Students interested in military service will need to retake the ASVAB as juniors or seniors. The results of this second ASVAB will determine which military occupations an enlistee can pursue.

AP (Advanced Placement)

Students may pay a fee of approximately $75 to take these national tests in May of each year. If students score well, most colleges will award college credit and advance them to sophomore level work in that subject area. This can save considerable time and money and give students an advantage in competitive college tracks. Tests can be taken in Art, Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, Environmental Science, French, German, Government, History, Geography, Latin, Music Theory, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, and Statistics. (italicized tests are the ones generally offered at SSHS.) SSHS courses that focus on AP preparation include AP English, Modern Literature and Word Studies, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, Calculus, College American History and all Foreign Language Levels IV/ and V

Registration for these tests occurs in March through the SSHS counseling office. The tests occur in early May.

Choosing your test: ACT or SAT

Most universities and colleges in the United States accept scores from either the SAT or the ACT. Before students choose which test to take, check which test the schools the student is applying to prefer. If they only accept SAT scores, for example, that will make the decision easier. The ability to choose between the ACT and the SAT can give a student a distinct advantage. There is a significant difference between the two. They test different skills, which means students can emphasize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. Students typically score higher on one test than the other. Some of the differences between the ACT and SAT include:

ACT SAT

Science reasoning Yes No

English Grammar Yes No

Trigonometry Yes No

Vocabulary Yes, but not major part of test Yes, much more than the ACT

Guessing Penalty No Yes

Multiple Choice Yes, all questions Yes, but not all questions

Subject Tests 4 subjects in one test Separate SAT II subject tests - ten separate subjects

The best way to choose between the two test is to do a bit of research. Take a practice test of both the SAT and ACT (or the PLAN and PSAT) and keep track of which types of questions were easy and which ones were a struggle and compare final scores. Then determine which one emphasizes a student’s strengths. If the vocabulary wasn’t the best but science was a snap, then choose the ACT.

One final thing to remember: standardized tests are not intelligence tests. They are a common measurement to compare students from all over the country, all of whom have a slightly different education and experience base. Since no test can accurately take into account all the test-takers’ personal circumstances, the results are often skewed in favor of one type of student over another. As stressful as they are, students need to keep the tests in perspective. While a low score may not get a student into a highly selective school, it is not an indication of intelligence or possible college success. Test scores are only one aspect of many admissions criteria that colleges look at. Also, getting a very high test score, but being unable to produce in the classroom, may lead students to failure rather than success. Remember, once a student gets on campus no one knows or cares what his/her test scores were, just how well they can produce in the classroom.

NOTE: few schools are moving to “test optional” status. For this list, see Mrs. Dudley

ACT—American College Test

NOTE: Beginning in Feb, 2005 ACT will offer an optional component of a 30-minutes Writing Test for students applying for college in the fall of 2006. Post secondary institutions will make their own decisions about whether to require the results of the ACT Writing Test for admission or course placement purposes.

Most colleges do not have a preference for ACT or SAT. However, currently all Colorado Juniors are required by the state to take the ACT. This is given in place of the CSAP test. This means that in April or May, the ACT test is given during school hours, and is paid for by the state of Colorado. However, some schools and the NCAA will not accept these test scores as they are not given on a national test day. Check with counseling office after the first of the year to find out these dates. Otherwise, the ACT is given a variety of dates and places. Steamboat gives the test about five times a year. Students are wise to plan ahead for these dates and to be aware of conflicts with sports activities, vacations and other events. You may register for all tests at the start of the year. The national organization is encouraging students to register online, but you can also get a hard copy registration from the Counseling Center or the Career/College Center. Register online at www.act.org. with credit card access.

Seniors applying to highly competitive out-of-state programs will need ACT scores for deadlines as early as November 1. Therefore, students in the top 50% of their class are strongly urged to take the ACT in April or June of junior year. This schedule also allows for ACT retakes in October or December of senior year. Improved scores from these dates will be available for the many scholarships due in January through April of senior year.

The ACT tests English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1 to 36. Some ACT/SAT test prep sessions are usually offered in the fall and/or spring of each year, by an out of area consultant. A test prep session will be given to all juniors through their Whistl classes in the early spring before the state ACT date, if possible. The SSHS Career/Counseling Center also has ACT Prep CDs and books to lend students. ACT prep books and software can also be purchased at most bookstores. Students who read a great deal tend to do well on the ACT. Establishing a regular reading habit and strong vocabulary can begin at any age.

Scores What They Mean

The best way to prepare for the SAT and the ACT is to practice taking sample tests. These are available through the BRIDGES program, from the ACT or SAT website, on-line, or from books. Books are available in the Media Center, Counseling Office and the Career/College Center. Test prep classes are sometimes offered. When taking the ACT or SAT multiple times, the colleges will also use the highest test score, but may only use one day’s scores.

SAT NATIONAL TEST DATES 2008-2009

SAT NATIONAL TEST DATES 2008- 2009.

Dates Registration Deadline Given at SSHS

Oct 4, 2008 Sept. 9, 2008 Yes

Nov. 1, 2008

Dec. 6. 2008 Nov. 5, 2008 Yes

Jan. 24, 2009

March 14, 2009 Feb 10, 2009 Yes

May 2, 2009 March 31, 2009 Yes

June 6, 2009 May 5, 2009 Yes

ALL TESTS ARE NEW SAT AND INCLUDE WRITING

SAT tests are not given at SSHS in November and January

ACT NATIONAL TEST DATES 2008-2009

Test Date Regular Registration n

Given at SSHS

September 13, 2008* August 12, 2008

October 25, 2008 September 19, 2008 Yes

Dec 13, 2008 N ov. 7, 2008 Yes

April 4, 2008 Feb 27, 2009 Yes

June 13, 2009 May 8, 2009 Yes

The optional Writing Test is available for all test dates, but must be registered for separately.

The ACT is not given at SSHS in February

THE STATE ACT WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL JUNIORS AT SSHS ON MAY 7, 2008