College Entrance Examinations
The purpose of the college entrance exams is to provide the college admissions officers with a common measure of ability in order to understand and compare applicants from varying educational backgrounds. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Testing Program provide that common measure of ability. The admission office may use a formula that combines your SAT I or ACT score with your high school grade point average (GPA) to determine your probability of success on the campus.
The first step in the college application process is to take either the SAT or the ACT.
You are encouraged to take either the ACT or SAT by the end of your junior year (advanced students may be ready earlier) and once again if higher scores are desired early in your senior year, usually by the October or November test date. You may obtain the registration bulletins for these tests in the counseling office, the College Resource Center, or register on-line. (SAT - College Board Online http://www.collegeboard.com or ACT http://www.act.org) Pay close attention to the deadlines for registering. On the registration form you will need the Kingwood High School College Board Campus code (443863) to ensure we receive a label of your test results for your transcript. The test is given on a Saturday morning at a local high school or college.
Prior to the test date you will receive an admissions ticket through the mail. If you registered online, they will send you an e-mail admissions ticket to print up at home. Take this ticket and Photo Identification with you to the test center. You will not be admitted without these. These tests may be taken more than once. The higher one day score will be accepted in most cases, but check the college catalog to determine how the university or college handles additional scores.
Reporting Admissions Test Results
Most colleges want an official report sent directly to them from the testing agency. It is your responsibility as an applicant to report your SAT I, SAT II or ACT scores by indicating colleges as score recipients on the registration form or by completing additional Report Request Forms (included with your results, or you can do it on-line) for colleges or scholarship programs you did not include before.
NEW SAT: Students taking the SAT on or after March 12, 2005 will be taking the New SAT. For more information about the new SAT go to: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/newsat/about.html Many, if not most colleges requiring the SAT will want the New SAT exam scores for graduates of 2006.
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OTHER COLLEGE TESTS
THEA (Formerly TASP)- Texas Higher Education Assessment
(THEA) is a test that all students must take before entering a Texas public college. The test provides information to the college about reading, mathematics and writing skills. The test has three parts and can be taken as many times as necessary to pass. The THEA does not substitute for the SAT or ACT.
Testing for the THEA can be done at North Harris Montgomery Community College (Kingwood College) during the school year. Registration forms can be picked up in the counseling office at KHS or Kingwood College, and is available online http://www.thea.nesinc.com This web site also has a full length practice test and other valuable information. Before you register for the test, check to see if you may be exempt. Certain scores on the ACT or SAT may exempt you as determined by your admitting college. If you took or are taking Concurrent or Dual credit courses at KHS or Kingwood College, chances are that you have already fulfilled this testing requirement.
SAT II
consists of one-hour subject tests sometimes used in admissions and/or may be required for college placement. Check with the college of your choice. Some schools exempt students from course requirements or give advanced standing on the basis of subject tests. Registration can be done on-line or pick up the SATII booklet from the counselor or the College Resource Center for a mail-in registration form. Schedules are in the booklet and on-line. http://www.collegeboard.com/sat/center2/html/indx000.html
ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS (AP)
Through AP Exams, you have the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation's colleges and universities.
Go to: http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy to see what your college will accept. Or, you can look in the college catalog, usually in the "credit by examination" section. While some students not enrolled in AP courses in high school may take the AP test and do well, this generally requires work beyond the normal classroom requirements. Check Humble ISD High School Curriculum Handbook (given to the student spring of every year) for AP courses offered. For more information about AP Credits and schedules for the exams, try http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/students Registration for these exams takes place at the high school in the spring. Schedules for the exams are available on-line and from the counseling office.
COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)
CLEP is another means of receiving college credit for knowledge already acquired before college enrollment. CLEP consists of general and subject examinations. More information can be found on-line http://www.collegeboard.com/clep or from your counselor. Registration to take the CLEP is done directly with the University test center where the tests are administered once a month. Test centers can be found on-line at the site above, and in your counselor's office. Some schools accept CLEP credit and some do not. If you know what college you will be attending, be sure to check their catalog. Since policies concerning credit-by exam varies considerably, you may want to wait until you have made your final college decision to see what test is appropriate. There are several open test centers in Houston. Check the website above and click on Clep Testing Centers.
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ADVICE ABOUT ENTRANCE AND PLACEMENT EXAMS
There are plenty of resources for each of these exams, in the public library, on-line (see our internet resources page), the College Resource Center, and the bookstore. These include study guides with sample tests, and test taking strategies that are very helpful. It is to your ADVANTAGE to be familiar with the test before entering the examination site. Several programs help students prepare for the PSAT/SAT. Short term strategies for preparing for both exams including sample testing and knowing the format of the test by answering the following questions:
- Do I understand the directions? Save time figuring out directions during the test by knowing them ahead of time.
- How is the test organized?
- What kinds of questions are asked?
- What terms and concepts are used?
- How is the test timed?
- How is the test scored?
SAT/ACT PREPARATION CLASSES
The following programs are available in our area. Also check with public libraries and in the College Resource Center for literature concerning preparation classes.
Kaplan Test Prep http://www.kaptest.com/ Offer sessions in Kingwood 3 times a year, 14 sessions, 3 hours 1-800-KAP-TEST or 713-520-7223.
Kingwood College Continuing Education
(281) 312-1660 SAT Preparation 8 Hrs. This course prepares high school students to take to take the SAT test. Click on http://www.kingwoodcollege.com/ce/schedule.html#sat to see what classes are available, or call.
Princeton Review
http://www.princetonreview.com/college/testprep/ Offer sessions in Kingwood about 3 times a year. Houston Office Staff (713)688-5500 e-mail [email protected].
Sylvan Learning Center
4311 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood, TX 77339
Tel. (281) 361-9253
http://www.educate.com/sylvan_prep/index.htm
University-Bound Associates at 713-221-8143 Jane Thielemann, Ed.D, University of Houston We offer comprehensive, professionally prepared materials based on the latest exam. Our affordable price of $159 includes a student text, sample practice tests, and additional home study materials. Offered at Kingwood High School. Prices may change.
Kingwood Training Institute
281-359-4628 Weekend classes, provide everything you need, including snacks, pizza, drinks. $200. Offered several times a year. Prices may change.
Save money if your student is motivated and buy a good prep book. Some come with a CD that grades the example exams. We also have some prep books for loan, or check out your public library. The SAT format is changing in 2005. For more information go to http://www.collegeboard.com/about/newsat/newsat.html
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