guidance_Testing

Testing regarding college assessment/placement is handled in the following way at Harbor City International School...

PLAN
All students in the 10th grade at HCIS take the PLAN (Pre-ACT test) in the Fall. The PLAN prepares students take the ACT college assessment test by getting them familiar with the testing format and using the results to improve skills.

PSAT
Each fall the Guidance Department administers the PSAT (Pre SAT test) on campus. This test is for 11th grade, 4-year college bound students who want to prepare for the SAT and also are attempting to qualify for National Merit Scholarship (Top 2% of the country). The test is open to 10th graders who would like to have some experience before attempting to qualify for National Merit Scholarship.

ACT
All students in the 11th grade, seeking to attend a 4 year college are strongly encouraged to take this test. In order to stay on top of the time intensive college time line process, they really should take it the Spring semester of their Junior year. However,they can take it the beginning of their Senior year, as well. Guidance meets with Core 11 each year to outline the details for registering for the test. Typically students take the ACT+Writing test. You can find more information now at the website ACT

SAT
All students in the 11th grade, seeking to attend a 4 year colleges on either the West or East coast are encouraged to take this test. In order to stay on top of the time intensive college time line process, they really should take it the end of the Junior year. However, they can take it the beginning of their Senior year, as well. Guidance meets with Core 11 each year to outline the details for registering for this test. Typically, students will take the SAT Reasoning test, however, if colleges request (and some competitive programs do) students may have to take Subject Tests for specific disciplines such as Math, Science, Foreign Language, etc. You can find more information now at the website College Board

Choosing the Right Test for You

The ACT and the SAT are both meant to test your knowledge of the fundamentals of a high school education in the United States. Yet the writers of the two tests are guided by very different philosophies, and the two exams have different formats and test different subject matter. These differences are significant enough that you might feel much more comfortable taking one test rather than the other. We will describe these differences below:

Differences in Testing Philosophy:

ACT - The ACT strives to assess the knowledge you’ve acquired, meaning that the test focuses on subjects and skills taught in high school.
SAT - The SAT tries to assess “innate ability.” It does so using tricky and confusing phrasing to determine your test-taking skills (i.e., your performance under pressure and your ability to identify what’s being asked).

Differences in Format:

The New ACT
Total Time: 175 minutes (plus 30 minute optional writing test)
4 sections (English, Math, Reading and Science, plus the optional Writing test)

The New SAT
Total Time: 225 minutes (plus 25 minute experimental section)
3 sections (Verbal, Math and Writingplus 1 experimental section)

Taking Both Tests:
If time and money allow, you may want to consider taking both the ACT and the SAT. That way, you can have your choice of the two scores when applying to colleges. If you’re applying to a mix of schools, some of which accept the SAT and some the ACT, you’re covered on all sides. While we emphasized the differences between the two tests, studying for both tests actually would overlap a great deal. Both the ACT and the SAT ultimately test your ability to think, and both cover the basics of a high school education.

Time Line and # of Times to Take the Test: It is proven that the more times you take any test the better you get at it. Also, it is proven that students typically test much better on one test or the other.
My Recommendation: If you are planning to apply to four year college/university that accepts either you should take both tests. Pick the better score and submit that. If you are not satisfied or barely miss a scholarship range, then you can retake the one you do better on.
Re-take?? Typically, I suggest Juniors take test(s) in the spring and if they decide to retake they can do so in June or the following September.

Preparation

Time Management:
1. You have a lot of material to get through and often not much time to get through it. Don't spend too much time on one question or section. If it is difficult or confusing mark it to come back too.
2. Fill in your bubble sheet circles from the outside to the inside. It sounds silly, but it saves time.
3. In the English section, pace yourself. Make sure you're not making hasty choices.
4. In the Math section, use deductive reasoning (eliminate wrong answers) to narrow choices. You may need to work part way through some problems to do so.
5. In the Reading section, read the questions first and then look for the answers in the passage OR underline the main points of the section as you read, so answers can be more easily found when going through the questions. Students vary on their preference.
6. In the Science section, you can often skip the instructions or words. The majority of the questions will focus on the tables and graphs included. If you recognize the scientific problems/graphs just answer the questions. This will save valuable time.
7. In the Writing section, you will be asked to,
“express judgments by taking a position on the issue in the writing prompt; to maintain a focus on the topic throughout the essay; to develop a position by using logical reasoning and by supporting your ideas; to organize ideas in a logical way; and to use language clearly and effectively according to the conventions of standard written English.” - Taken directly from the ACT Writing Test Booklet. Reviewing basic positional essay skills and practicing these can help make test day much more productive.

Be Awake, Comfortable and Prepared:
1. Find some practice tests. Examine each section, looking for the best way to attack each one. Practice your timing on each one. Try the suggestions in the Time Management section and modify them to fit your needs. 2. Don't cram the night before. It will only stress you out and make you tired the next morning. You're not going to learn huge significant amounts in one night. Have a relaxing evening.
3. Dress comfortably, but don't just crawl out of bed. If you wake up 10 minutes before you need to leave and put sweat pants on, you're going to feel yucky as the test goes on. You don't want to be half way through the test and realize you forgot deodorant. No one needs distractions like that. Take a shower and wear clean, comfortable clothes.
4. Eat a PROTIEN & HEALTHY CARB breakfast (no sugar). Your brain works on energy from food.
5. Bring pencils and a calculator.
6. Bring a snack for the breaks. Really. Just bring it. If break comes and you don't want it, don't eat it. 7. Bring your Admission Ticket and form of ID (Identification).

Special Considerations:
Students with a diagnoses (Ex: LD, ADHD; Visual Impairment, etc.) should apply for special testing. If you have any questions regarding this, please see Andy. You will want to apply much earlier than the regular deadline for scheduling purposes.

ATTENTION: If your family is in a financial state that warrants Fee Waiver, see Andy (Ex: Free & Reduced Status)

Relevant Test Prep Websites:

Number2
ACT Practice
ACT
College Board (SAT)