TESTING INFORMATION

SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test) – a college entrance examination, generally taken during the junior and/or senior year. Students receive a Verbal and a Math score, with a maximum score of 800 each, or a total maximum score of 1600. Cost: $25.00

ACT (American College Test) – a college entrance examination, generally taken during the junior and/or senior year. Students receive scores in English, Reading, Math and Science Reasoning, with a maximum score of 36 each, as well as a Composite score, with a maximum of 36. Cost: $27.00

Most colleges and scholarship programs accept scores from the SAT I or ACT. They are two different types of tests, and some students do better on one than the other. If you have time, it is good to take both tests, compare scores, and then take the one you do best on over. Registration packets are available at school; the student fills out the form and mails it in with their check or money order. You can also register on-line: SAT: www.collegeboard.com ACT: www.act.org

SAT II: Subject Tests – one-hour tests that measure a student’s knowledge of specific subjects, and his/her ability to apply knowledge. Each test has a maximum score of 800. Some colleges require these tests. These should be taken in May or June of 11th grade. Most colleges ask that students take a total of three SAT II’s, one in math, one in writing, and one in a subject area in which the student is interested. Other colleges recommend that the student take any three tests. It depends on the college. The best thing to do is check with each college for their test requirements. Cost: $31.00 or more, depending on test. Use the SAT I registration packet to register.

Computerized Placement Test (CPT)

The Computerized Placement Test (CPT) was developed by the College Board, to provide information about your level of skill accomplishment in reading, English, and mathematics that is required for success in college. By assessing your ability levels in these areas, the CPT helps to determine the English, mathematics and reading courses most appropriate for you at this time.

SAT vs ACT Scoring

Use this conversion table to convert SAT –I scores (Verbal & Math) to the ACT Composite Score.

SAT I ACT SAT I ACT SAT I ACT

1570-1600 35-36 1170-1200 26 810-850 17

1510-1560 34 1130-1160 25 770-800 16

1460-1500 33 1090-1120 24 710-760 15

1420-1450 32 1060-1080 23 650-700 14

1370-1410 31 1020-1050 22 580-640 13

1330-1360 30 980-1010 21 510-570 12

1290-1320 29 940-970 20 400-500 11

1250-1280 28 900-930 19

1210-1240 27 860-890 18

Websites With Practice Test Questions:

Test-Taking Preparation & Strategies

· Be well rested. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Eat a good breakfast, and wear comfortable clothing. Bring a sweater or sweatshirt, in case the room is cold.

· Listen to directions, and follow them! Read directions in test booklet VERY CAREFULLY! If the directions ask for the opposite, do not choose an answer that is the same.

· Place your answer sheet close to your test booklet so you can mark your answer quickly without moving the booklet or answer sheet.

· Read each question carefully, and all possible answers before choosing an answer.

· Check often to make sure you are marking the number of the question you are answering.

· Change an answer only if you have a good reason to. Usually, your first choice is correct.

· If you have to guess, make an educated guess. Eliminate the obviously wrong answer and choose between the ones that seem most likely to be correct. Do not guess blindly.

· If a question is too hard, don’t spend too much time on it. Skip it and go back after you have answered everything you can.

· For some, it may help to look over the questions before reading. Usually the reading sections have questions on the main idea, inferences/conclusions, and vocabulary in context, as well as the easier detail questions.

· If a question asks for the meaning of a word, think of the meaning before looking at the choices if it’s not in the context. If it is in context, define the word according to its use in the sentence. Remember that words have more than one meaning. Meaning is determined by context.

· You may skim back over a reading section to find the answer. Some answers will be directly stated and some only hinted at.

· Know what your question is before trying to answer: question words are who, what, which, when, where, why, how; kinds of answers are people, things, ideas, actions, time, place, reason, and explanations.

· Math tests find out how well you can add, subtract, multiply and divide, as well as solve word problems.

· You must be able to read a problem and decide: what is being asked for; what facts, numbers and symbols are used to solve the problem; what the symbols in a problem mean; whether you will add, subtract, multiply or divide.

· Know these symbols: + - $ { } < >.

· For word problems: read the problem completely; restate it in your own words or draw a picture; solve the problem; and compare it with answers given.

· Make sure that not only procedure is correct, but also that the math is correct.

· If you finish a test before time is called, review your answers.