2012 college night volunteers - Tulare County Office of Education

TULARE COUNTY COLLEGE NIGHTwww.tcoe.org/collegenightSTANDARDIZED COLLEGE TESTSTaking standardized tests is a fact of life for high school students. Students applying to colleges/universities need to be aware of the different standardized tests used and/or requiredby colleges/ universities they are considering applying to. Beginning to prepare for standardizedtests early in your high school career is a good idea. This page contains a list of thedifferent standardized tests. Please check with your high school counselor or career centerfor testing dates, registration information, etc.PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/ National Merit Scholarship)www.collegeboard.comThis test is given each year only in October. This test is for juniors, however freshmen and sophomores may takethis test. Test results for the junior year are the only results considered for National Merit Scholarship. Freshmenand sophomores benefit from taking the test, because they truly have the opportunity to use this as a “practice”standardized test. The PSAT has five sections: 2 verbal sections; 2 math sections and 1 writing skills section. It is 2hours 10 minutes long. The PSAT is now more closely aligned with both SAT tests. It has the same kinds of verbaland math questions as the SAT Reasoning Test; and the same kinds of multiple choice questions on writing skills asthe SAT Subject Tests. It does not have an essay writing prompt as part of the writing portion of the test. Informationregarding sign-up for this test is released by your high school.SAT Reasoning (Scholastic Aptitude Test- Reasoning) www.collegeboard.comThe SAT Reasoning Test is a multiple-choice test with critical reading, math and writing sections. The criticalquestions test your vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and understanding of what you read. The critical reading sectionincludes long and short reading sections. The math questions test your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic,elementary Algebra, Geometry and some Algebra II. The use of a calculator is permitted on the math section. Awriting section has been added to the SAT Reasoning test. The writing section includes multiple choice questionsand a written, timed essay in response to a prompt. The essays are holistically scored by at least two readers, for atotal score of 0-12. Currently the scores are reported on a scale of 200 (lowest) to 800 (highest) for three sections; fora maximum total of 2400. Taking the SAT Reasoning test fulfills the standardized testing requirement of most colleges/universities.Scores on the SAT Reasoning can not be withheld or selectively sent to colleges/universities.ACT (The American College Test) www.actstudent.orgThe ACT tests consist of four tests of general educational development, a special Student Profile Section, and an optionalwriting section with multiple choice questions and writing prompt. The four general test sections are: English,Reading, Math and Science Reasoning. The academic tests cover the subjects of English, Mathematics, Social Studies,and Natural Sciences. The profile section collects information about the students’ aspirations, background, nonclassroomachievements, and immediate plans for the future. The ACT takes about 3 1/2 hours to complete. Thehighest reportable score on the ACT is a 36. Many institutions accept the ACT as readily as the SAT Reasoning test.SAT Subject Tests www.collegeboard.comThe SAT Subject tests are a one hour test designed to measure your level of achievement in a particular subject.Tests are offered in: Literature, United States History, World History, Mathematics Level I, Mathematics Level 2,Foreign Languages, and Sciences. Not all tests are offered at the same times. Check your registration book for thedates of the tests you are interested in taking. Students often take the SAT Subject test in a subject (such as historyor science) that they have just completed. Many colleges/universities require students to take SAT Subject Tests.Others, such as the University of California system, recommend you take Subject tests.Students with Learning DisabilitiesStudents with learning disabilities can be tested using accommodations. See your counselor for more information onthis. It is important to start the process early in order to meet document requirements by registration deadlines.SENIORS NOTE: Colleges/ Universities require standardized testing be comlpeted by December.Check dates of tests and registration deadlines. If you have questions, ask your highschool counselor.16