Here is "Part 3: Testing" of a comprehensive guide to college readiness: Get Me To College A College Readiness Primer Written by Dr. Rebecca Joseph Please use this but cite me. I provide free or low-cost consulting to those working with under-represented students and also lead workshops to schools and community groups around the country and Canada. getmetocollege@gmail.com

1. Part 3: Testing
Dr. Rebecca Joseph
getmetocollege@gmail.com
rjoseph@calstatela.edu

2. TO LEARN MORE
 Email
 rjoseph@calstatela.edu
 getmetocollege@gmail.com
 Phone
 323-646-5759
 Facebook
 Getmetocollege Freeadvice
 Twitter
 @getmetocollege
 Website
 getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation
and under-represented students)

3.  Grades
 Academic Rigor
 Standardized Test Scores
 Strong applications
 Great essays
 Counselor Reports
 Extracurricular Activities
 Teacher Letters of
Recommendation
 Other Unique Features
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN MATCH
STUDENTS NACAC 2013

4. A NECESSARY EVIL?

5.  They were never intended for current
use
 Colleges use these tests to compare
students
 Understanding test options and
readiness will empower students in the
admissions process
STANDARDIZED TESTS!

6.  SAT I—Reading, Math, and Writing
 ACT with writing-Reading, English, Social
Science, and Science
 SAT Subject Tests-One hour multiple
choice in several content areas
 AP tests-Three hour content specific tests
 IB tests-Year end tests for students in IB
programs.
THE TEST OPTIONS

7. BEST PREDICTORS
 Research shows
 SAT Subject Tests
 AP Tests
Are BEST predictors
YET SAT AND ACT
Still Prevail

8. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
 70% of students do the same on both
tests.
 For 30% of others, let’s look at
differences

9.  Can I take the tests too many times?
 Yes, of course. Taking it five or six times is torture
and students rarely go up after the third time.
 No. Take it as many times as you think will help
students.
 Note: Students would be wise to try it at least once or
twice in spring of junior year and once or twice in fall
of senior year. There are huge increases between
junior and senior year. Think of 16 versus 17 years
old and 17 versus 18. There are huge critical thinking
gains.
RECOMMENDED STANDARDIZED
TEST TIMELINE

10. SAT VS ACT
(1) ACT  content / SAT  problem solving
(2) Some students may score higher on one test than on
the other
Act’s less dependence on vocabulary favors students of
limited English proficiency, for students with higher GPAs
(above 3.4), and for females. SAT good problem solvers do well.
(3) Less emphasis on defensive test taking strategies
ACT does not penalize for wrong answers so more students
can take risks and guess, while SAT does penalize.
(4) ACT provides a more detailed score report
SAT(highest possible individual test 800) provides scores
for three sections and for essay (scale of 6). Total score is three
sections totaled (highest possible 2400)
ACT provides details subsection scores (highest possible
score (36) broken by math content area and for essay (scale of
12). They provide composite score as well.
(5) Both offer score choice.
ACT--you can send by test date
SAT I-you can send by test date
SAT II-you can send by test and date
Yet UCs and top colleges will not accept SAT score choice.

11. RECOMMENDED STANDARDIZED
TEST TIMELINE
 Sophomore/Junior Fall-Take the PSAT (SAT
readiness) and/or PLAN (ACT readiness). If
there is real strength in one versus the other,
focus on that test. If not try both…through
junior year spring.
 Then go with ACT or SAT…Don’t overstress
your child….
 If you go ACT route, your child still needs to
take SAT IIs for top colleges, including UCs
through high school class of 2011.
 Develop a testing schedule that includes
 SAT Subject Tests at end of sophomore and
junior years.
 SAT/ACT in spring of junior year and fall of
senior year.
 Consider test prep…courses, books,
tutoring...Test prep does help. Aptitude and
content knowledge are not fixed. The tests ,
especially testing strategies, are coachable.

12. SOME GOOD NEWS…
COLLEGES ARE
BEGINNING TO REBEL
 April 20, 2009
 NYU announces new test policy
ACT or SAT
Or
Three SAT subject tests
Or
Three AP tests
For SAT II and AP options
 1 test humanities or literature
 1 test math or science

13. COLBY ALSO JOINS…
 Colby requires official results of
one of the following:
 the College Board SAT Reasoning
Test
 the American College Test (ACT)
with writing
 the SAT Subject Tests (in three
different subject areas)
 Colby will use the set of test
results that best advantage each
applicant.
COLBY ALSO JOINS

14. STANDARDIZED TESTING NOTES
 More than 750 colleges do not
require tests!!!
http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
 See the following site for the most
up-to-date testing requirements of
top colleges:
http://www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subje
 My app All College Application
Essays has all testing requirements
for more than 750 colleges.
http://www.allcollegeessays.org

15. GREAT NEWS!!
 Many schools allow ACT to count for
SAT and 2 Subject Tests. Check.
 Please take Subject Tests at end of
year that you take the classes.
 Make sure to get contact your
counselor for free waivers. If you get
free or reduced lunch, then you
qualify.

16. DIFFERENT ROUTES TO
UC…
 Eligibility in the Statewide Context
Students who meet minimum requirements
for coursework, grade point average and test
scores are admitted by this path.
 Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)
Students who rank in the top 9 percent at
participating California high schools may be
admitted through ELC. Must meet GPA and
testing requirements.
 Eligibility by Examination Alone
Students may qualify for admission by
achieving high scores on the ACT
Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning
Test, and on two SAT Subject Tests.
 http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/fr
eshman/

17. TO LEARN MORE
 Email
 rjoseph@calstatela.edu
 getmetocollege@gmail.com
 Phone
 323-646-5759
 Facebook
 Getmetocollege Freeadvice
 Twitter
 @getmetocollege
 Website
 getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation
and under-represented students)