PSAT/SAT/ACT Testing Information

 

PSAT at Hillsdale

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
          The PSAT is given once a year to help sophomores and juniors prepare for the SAT Reasoning Test that they should take beginning spring of the junior year. The PSAT is an excellent, reasonably priced diagnostic tool, and should be taken both in the sophomore and the junior year! Before winter break, students who take the PSAT in October will receive the test booklet they used and for each question both the correct answer and their own answer. These should be used to prepare for the SAT. Students who receive strong scores for the PSAT taken in the junior year may be courted by selective colleges and universities.

Register for the 2008 PSAT by returning the registration form with payment ($21.00) before September 30, 2008. A copy of the forms will be included in the HHS summer mailing, or you can download and print it from this link: HHS PSAT 2008 Registration Form

 

 SAT, ACT tests for Class of 2009 and beyond
          SAT Reasoning Test: In March 2005 the SAT Reasoning Test was introduced, replacing the SAT I. Some of the changes: The Reasoning Test has three parts: Critical Reading (replaces the old Verbal section), Math (content from 2nd year algebra added) and Writing (based on old SAT II Writing test. Writing includes student-written essay). Each section is worth a maximum of 800 points, with the maximum possible score now 2400.
          SAT Subject Tests  (formerly known as SAT II’s). The SAT II Writing exam (formerly required by UC's and other highly selective schools) was eliminated, as it became part of the Reasoning Test. Other SAT Subject Tests remain the same.
          The ACT changed in February 2005. Most colleges and universities accept the ACT as an alternative to the SAT. The ACT incorporates a new, optional 30-minute writing component.
          For more information, visit these web sites or contact your counselor or Mrs. Merport.
Information on the new SAT http://www.collegeboard.com/newsat/index.html
Information on the new ACT http://www.act.org/aap/writing/index.html

 

 

TESTING FOR THE CLASS OF 2009 & 2010:  What Tests Are Required?

• U.C. Test Requirements
  All UC's:  SAT Reasoning Test or ACT (including ACT Writing test) and SAT Subject tests chosen from 2 of these areas: literature, history, Math Level 2 (Level 1 not accepted), science or language.  Complete all tests by December of 12th grade.
• CSU Test Requirements
  SAT Reasoning Test or ACT.
• Independent/Private School Requirements
  SAT Reasoning Test or ACT. The most selective private schools also ask for SAT Subject Tests. Check the school's web site or this College Board web site SAT Test Policy Changes.
• Community colleges: SAT Reasoning Test or ACT recommended, not required.
• NCAA Eligibility: SAT Reasoning Test or ACT.

What's the Difference between the SAT Reasoning Test & the ACT?

SAT Reasoning Test	ACT
1/3 Critical Reading: 1/3rd sentence completion, 2/3rd  critical reading (humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, fiction)	25% English usage: ½ punctuation, grammar & usage, sentence structure; ½ writing strategy, organization, style 25% critical reading (social studies, natural sciences, fiction, humanities)
1/3 Math: pre-algebra, elementary & intermediate algebra, geometry.  1/5th of problems are word problems.	25% Math: 58% pre-algebra, elementary & intermediate algebra, 38% geom., and 7% trig.  No word problems.
Science: No science component 1/3 Writing: required component. 49 multiple-choice questions, 30 minute essay.	25% Science: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning & problem-solving skills required in science. Writing: optional
¼ point deducted for each wrong answer	No deductions for wrong answers
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes excluding breaks.	Duration: 3 hours + 30 minutes for optional writing, excluding breaks.
Accepted/required by almost all western 4-year colleges & universities (but not BYU) & eastern schools.	Accepted by almost all 4-year colleges & universities. Some southeastern/mid-western schools prefer/require ACT
Cost: $41.50 (excl. late fees, etc.)	Cost: $43.00 with optional writing, $29.00 without (excl. late fees, etc.)

 

What Are SAT Subject Tests?
Each Subject Test is approximately 1 hour long and measures your knowledge and abilities in a specific area of the curriculum.   Subject Tests are offered in literature, math (Level 1 & Level 2), history, science and languages other than English. Level 1 math is not accepted by the University of California.

Can't Afford the Test Fees?
Low-income families may qualify for test fee waivers. Talk to Mrs. Merport or your counselor about your circumstances.

When should students take SAT or ACT tests?
SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT: Class of 2009: test March through June 2008 (junior year), test again in October, November, or December if needed (senior year).      Class of 2009: take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and take the SAT or ACT in spring 2009.
SAT Subject Tests: if required by a school you plan to apply to, take SAT Subject Tests in June at the end of the related class, such as chemistry, biology, foreign language or U.S. History or early fall of 12th.  You can take up to 3 tests on one date.

Register for the SAT Reasoning Test, Subject Tests or ACT online:

SAT		www.collegeboard.com
ACT		www.act.org

Registration forms for those not registering online are available in the Career Center.

Schedule of ACT & SAT TESTS FOR 2008-2009

Test	Test Date	Registration Closes	Late registration ends	For
ACT	Sept 13	August 12	August 22	Class of 2009
SAT/RT & ST	October 4	September 9	September 16	Class of 2009
ACT	October 25	September 19	October 3	Class of 2009
SAT/RT & ST	November 1	September 26	October 10	Class of 2009
SAT/RT & ST	December 6	November 5	November 18	Class of 2009
ACT	December 13	November 7	November 20	Class of 2009
SAT/RT& ST	January 24	December 26	January 6	Class of 2010
ACT	February 7	January 6	January 16	Class of 2010
SAT/RT only	March 14	February 10	February 24	Class of 2010
ACT	April 4	February 27	March 13	Class of 2010
SAT/RT & ST	May 2	March 31	April 9	Class of 2010
SAT/RT & ST	June 6	May 5	May 15	Class of 2010
ACT	June 13	May 8	May 22	Class of 2010

TBD = to be determined

SAT/RT = SAT Reasoning Test
SAT/ST = SAT Subject Tests

Resources to help students prepare for the ACT or SAT!

•  Study materials: available at many bookstores or borrow from the Career Center.
•  Free resources:
•  Many commercial firms offer test preparation courses and/or tutoring. They may also offer limited free sample tests and test-taking tips. Check these sites for popular courses, tutoring services and study materials:

•  Many commercial firms offer test preparation courses or tutoring. They may also offer limited free sample tests and test-taking tips. Check these sites for popular courses, tutoring services and study materials:

www.PrincetonReview.com	Princeton Review, 843-0968
www.kaplan.com	Kaplan, 327-0841
www.collegeboard.com	College Board (produce PSAT, SAT, AP exams)
www.act.org	ACT (produce ACT)
www.ivywest.com	One-on-one test prep and tutoring programs
www.learning-studios.com	Verbal Judo, tutoring in all subjects, college applications, and SATs,     552-9103
www.ivybound.net	Courses in Palo Alto & San Francisco.  Private tutoring also, 877/975-1600
www.educate.com	Sylvan Learning Center, Burlingame 344-7323
www.apluslearningcenter.info/	A Plus Learning Center, 92 East 21st Ave San Mateo. 650/286-1688 New SAT prep course starts soon.
www.tamingthesat.org	Taming the Test, 2-day weekend workshops
www.petersons.com	Petersons online courses and practice tests for SAT and ACT
www.eurekareview.com	Eureka one-on-one test prep
http://communityed.smccd.edu	CSM—Community Education prep course for SAT
gateparents@smuhsd.org	Gate Parents Group SAT prep courses
www.buddysystem.com	Buddy System 888/988-8867
www.revolutionprepr.com	Revolution Prep, SAT/ACT prep courses 877/739-7737
www.number2.com	Number 2—free practice tests for SAT and ACT