SAT, SAT II, PSAT

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SAT, SAT II, PSAT ACT

• An Overview of College Admissions Testing For San
  Antonio ISD High School Counselors
• Office of Research and Evaluation

2
Which Test to Take and Why?

• SAT, SAT II and ACT are accepted U.S. college and
  university admissions exams, used as one part of
  a complex applications process.
• PSAT is an excellent practice test for the SAT
  but is not accepted by schools for admissions
  review.
• SAT II offers one-hour Subject Tests. Some
  colleges may require applicants take 2 or 3 of
  these tests as part of the admissions process.
• Each college and university sets their own
  requirements. Students must understand what will
  be required by each school to which they apply.

Data Source The Princeton Review
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When the Tests are Offered

• The PSAT is generally taken in the fall of the
  junior year in preparation for the SAT exam. It
  is offered only once each year, in October.
• The SAT and ACT are generally taken in the spring
  of the junior year. If necessary, both can be
  retaken during the fall of the senior year. The
  tests are offered six times each year.
• The SAT II subject tests are also offered six
  times each year. However, each subject may not
  be offered at each administration so students
  should be careful to determine when their
  particular tests will be offered.

Data Source The Princeton Review
4
Test Basics

• All are timed, standardized, multiple-choice
  tests. The SAT II Writing test includes a
  20-minute essay.
• Students will have 3 hours to complete the SAT or
  ACT. Students have 1 hour for each of the SAT II
  tests and 2 hours and 10 minutes for the PSAT.
• SAT, SAT II and PSAT include penalties for wrong
  answers. The ACT does not.
• PSAT scores are the only qualifying criteria for
  National Merit Scholarships and National
  Achievement Scholarships.
• The SAT, SAT II and ACT are used as criteria for
  many other scholarship programs.

Data Source The Princeton Review
5
Test Details
SAT
ACT

• 7 Sections
• 3 Verbal, 3 Math, 1 Experimental
• Questions are
• In order of difficulty
• Less based on curriculum
• Tricky with many distracters
• Highest math level is Algebra/Geometry
• Test is preferred by
• Private schools as well as schools on the East
  and West coasts

• 4 Sections
• English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning
• Questions are
• Not in order of difficulty
• More based on curriculum
• Straightforward with fewer distracters
• Highest math level is Trigonometry
• Test is preferred by
• Private schools as well as schools on the East
  and West coasts

Data Source The Princeton Review
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Test Details (cont.)
SAT II
PSAT

• One-Hour Tests on the following
• EnglishWriting, Literature
• MathMath IC, Math IIC
• HistoryAmerican History/Social Studies, World
  History
• SciencesBiology, Chemistry, Physics
• Foreign LanguagesChinese, French, German, Modern
  Hebrew,Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Spanish
  
• English Language Proficiency

• 5 Sections
• 2 Verbal, 2 Math, 1 Writing Skills
• Verbal and Math questions are similar to the SAT
• Writing skills questions are similar to the
  multiple-choice questions on the SAT Subject Test
  in Writing
• Offered only once each year in October
• Scores
• Not used for college admissions
• Are used for Scholarships

Data Source The Princeton Review
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MathMath IC and Math IIC

• Math IC - 50 questions- Assumes
• two years of algebra and one year of geometry
  (plane Euclidean, coordinate, three-dimensional).
  
• understanding of basic trigonometry, algebraic
  functions, elementary statistics, and some
  miscellaneous topics.
• ability to use scientific or graphing calculator
  a calculator is required
• Math IIC - 50 questions- Assumes
• Two years of algebra, one year of geometry
  (coordinate, three-dimensional). , and
  precalculus and/or trigonometry
• Understanding of basic trigonometry, algebraic
  functions, elementary statistics, and some
  miscellaneous topics.
• ability to use scientific or graphing calculator
  a calculator is required

From http//www.collegeboard.com/student/testing
/sat/about/SATII/popMath.html
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Preparing for the Tests

• Practice tests and preparatory courses are
  available on the web.
• http//www.princetonreview.com/college/testprep
• Information on how to study for these tests is
  available at bookstores, libraries and online.

Data Source The Princeton Review