ACT & SAT - Jennifer Winward, Ph.D. Founder & CEO, Winward Academy Teaching Professor, University of California, San Diego
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ACT & SAT Jennifer Winward, Ph.D. Founder & CEO, Winward Academy Teaching Professor, University of California, San Diego
AGENDA What to Expect on Test Day General Tips ü When, how long, what order? ü Four expert reminders Specific Content Subject Tests ü Most tested ACT and SAT ü What are they and when are concepts they offered
AGENDA What to Expect on Test Day General Tips ü When, how long, what order? ü Four expert reminders Specific Content Subject Tests ü Most tested ACT and SAT ü What are they and when are concepts they offered
WHAT LETTER DO YOU GUESS?
ACT & SAT TEST DATES September 12 or 13, 2020 August 29, 2020 September 19, 2020 September 26, 2020 *no subject tests October 10, 2020 October 3, 2020 October 17, 2020 November 7, 2020 October 24 or 25, 2020 December 5, 2020 December 12, 2020 January, 2021 *if demand February 6, 2021 *at-home option? March 13, 2021 *no subject tests April 17, 2021 May 8, 2021 June 12, 2021 June 5, 2021 July 17, 2021 Test Information Release ($22) Question-and-Answer Service ($18)
ALGEBRA II/TRIG IN SOPHOMORE YEAR September 12 or 13, 2020 August 29, 2020 September 19, 2020 September 26, 2020 *no subject tests October 10, 2020 October 3, 2020 October 17, 2020 November 7, 2020 October 24 or 25, 2020 December 5, 2020 December 12, 2020 January, 2021 *if demand February 6, 2021 *at-home option? March 13, 2021 *no subject tests April 17, 2021 May 8, 2021 June 12, 2021 June 5, 2021 July 17, 2021 Test Information Release ($22) Question-and-Answer Service ($18)
ALGEBRA II/TRIG IN JUNIOR YEAR September 12 or 13, 2020 August 29, 2020 September 19, 2020 September 26, 2020 *no subject tests October 10, 2020 October 3, 2020 October 17, 2020 November 7, 2020 October 24 or 25, 2020 December 5, 2020 December 12, 2020 January, 2021 *if demand February 6, 2021 *at-home option? March 13, 2021 *no subject tests April 17, 2021 May 8, 2021 June 12, 2021 June 5, 2021 July 17, 2021 Test Information Release ($22) Question-and-Answer Service ($18)
ACT & SAT LENGTH & PRICE No writing 2 hours 55 minutes No essay 3 hours With writing 3 hours 35 minutes With essay 3 hours 50 minutes No writing $55.00 No essay $52.00 With writing $70.00 With essay $68.00
ACT TEST DAY Section Questions Regular Time 1.5x Extended Time English 75 Qs 45 Minutes 70 Minutes Math 60 Qs 60 Minutes 90 Minutes Break 10 Minutes 15 Minutes Reading 40 Qs 35 Minutes 55 Minutes Science 40 Qs 35 Minutes 55 Minutes Writing 40 Minutes 60 Minutes
SAT TEST DAY Section Questions Regular Time 1.5x Extended Time Reading 52 Qs 65 Minutes 98 Minutes** Break 10 Minutes 5 Minutes Writing & Language 44 Qs 35 Minutes 53 Minutes Math (No Calculator) 20 Qs 25 Minutes 38 Minutes Break 5 Minutes 5 Minutes Math (Calculator) 38 Qs 55 Minutes 83 Minutes** Essay 50 Minutes 75 Minutes
MAJOR CHANGES FOR ACT (2021) 1. 1st sitting = paper-and-pencil *or* computer 2. Retakes by section = computer only • Costs *not yet released 3. Superscore *not clear if colleges will accept 4. At-home online version (now 2021)
UC SCHOOL DECISION 1. UC schools (e.g., UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD) announced they are phasing out the ACT/SAT 2. UC schools are introducing their own version of an ACT or SAT in the next 5 years, which students will have to take to be eligible to apply.
AGENDA What to Expect on Test Day General Tips ü When, how long, what order? ü Four expert reminders Specific Content Subject Tests ü Most tested ACT and SAT ü What are they and when are concepts they offered
LET’S GET SPECIFIC
ENGLISH § 75 questions § 44 questions § 45 minutes § 35 minutes § Tests abilities in grammar, usage, and § Tests abilities in grammar, usage, and mechanics in multiple choice format mechanics in multiple choice format
ACT ENGLISH % Breakdown by Question Types
SAT WRITING & LANGUAGE % Breakdown by Question Types
Lesson Frequency Value Lesson Frequency Value Punctuation 23% 9-10 pts Usage & Mechanics 36% 100-120 pts Usage & Mechanics 21% 6-7 pts Punctuation 18% 60-70 pts Basics But Essentials 11% 3-5 pts Transitions 10% 30-40 pts
LET’S GET SPECIFIC
MATH § 60 questions § 58 questions § 60 minutes § 80 minutes § Tests content in algebra 1 and 2, § Tests content in algebra 1 and 2, geometry, data analysis, and trig geometry, data analysis, and trig § Allows a calculator on all 60 § Has a non-calculator (20 Q) and problems calculator (38 Q) portion
ACT MATH % Breakdown by Question Types
SAT MATH % Breakdown by Question Types
Lesson Frequency Value Lesson Frequency Value
Solving Algebra Solving Algebra
22% 6-7 pts 46% 200-300 pts
Equations Equations
Algebra Geometry & Graphing
21% 6-7 pts 18% 80-90 pts
Fundamentals Fundamentals
Circles & Arithmetic
15% 3-5 pts 15% 70-80 pts
Triangles Fundamentals
Geometry & Graphing Algebra
13% 3-5 pts 8% 40-50 pts
Fundamentals Fundamentals
Arithmetic Circles &
12% 3-4 pts 5% 30-40 pts
Fundamentals TrianglesSAT MATH
Non-Calculator vs. Calculator
Non-Calculator Calculator
§ 20 questions in 25 minutes § 38 questions in 55 minutes
§ 15 MC and 5 grid-in § 30 MC and 8 grid-in
§ Distribute and combine like terms § f(x) & composite functions
§ Complex numbers § Real life algebra word problems
§ FOIL § Slope-intercept form of a line
§ Multiple linear systems § Percent word problems
§ SOHCAHTOA § Converting unitsLET’S GET SPECIFIC
READING
§ 40 questions (4 passages) § 52 questions (5 passages)
§ 35 minutes § 65 minutes
§ Has single passages and dual § Has single passages, dual passages,
passages in literature, social science, and single passages with figures in
humanities, and natural science literature, historical documents, social
science, and natural scienceACT READING % Breakdown by Question Types
SAT READING % Breakdown by Question Types
Lesson Frequency Value Lesson Frequency Value Specific Content 52% 16-18 pts Specific Content 23% 60-70 pts Line Reference 18% 5-6 pts Line Reference 18% 50-60 pts Vocab in Context 10% 3-4 pts Pick Evidence 18% 50-60 pts
SAT “PICK EVIDENCE” QUESTIONS
50 – 60
pointsLET’S GET SPECIFIC
SCIENCE
§ 40 questions (6 passages) § Instead of having a separate Science
section, the SAT has one longer 65-
§ 35 minutes
minute Reading section that also has
§ The ACT divides Reading and two scientific passages
Science into two sections that are 35
§ The SAT peppers questions requiring
minutes each
students to interpret figures and
§ All questions requiring students to tables throughout the exam – in
interpret figures and tables or to read Reading, Writing & Language, and
about scientific content are limited to Math sections
the ACT Science section and are not
tested in English, Math, or ReadingACT SCIENCE % Breakdown by Question Types
LET’S GET SPECIFIC
ACT WRITING VS. SAT ESSAY
§ Extra $15.00 § Extra $16.00
§ 40 minutes § 50 minutes
§ Prompt asks students to make an § Prompt asks students to analyze the
argument that references the views validity and effectiveness of
of others someone’s argument
The ACT writing & SAT essay sections are optional, but most colleges require them.
Please check your colleges’ requirements or take the test with writing just to be safe.AGENDA
What to Expect on Test Day General Tips
ü When, how long, what order? ü Four expert reminders
Specific Content Subject Tests
ü What are they and when are
ü Most tested ACT and SAT
they offered
conceptsTIPS FOR SUCCESS 1. Never leave a question blank 2. Guess the same letter…always 3. Write all over the booklet – it’s yours 4. Practice with scantrons, so you practice bubbling
MORE TIPS FOR SUCCESS 1. Capitalize on more free time to review 2. Space out studying so you don’t burn out 3. Manage distractions to work undisturbed 4. Register immediately 5. Join a virtual study group 6. Stay focused and reward yourself for milestones
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. How many times can you take the ACT and SAT? 2. Do certain colleges prefer one test over the other? 3. When do you suggest students start taking either test? 4. How should students track their timing?
AGENDA
What to Expect on Test Day General Tips
ü When, how long, what order? ü Four expert reminders
Specific Content Subject Tests
ü What are they and when are
ü Most tested ACT and SAT
they offered
conceptsSUBJECT TESTS OVERVIEW § How long are they? § How many can you take in one sitting? § Should you guess? § Are there specific ones to take depending on a declared major? § When should you take them? § How are they different from AP tests?
SUBJECT TESTS OVERVIEW § Math Level 1, Math Level 2 § U.S. History, World History § Literature § Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics § Language with Listening (*Nov date only) – Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish § Language without Listening – French (all), German (June only), Modern Hebrew (June only), Italian (June only), Latin (Dec and June), Spanish (all)
LET’S ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
Please join in our experience by
submitting comments and/or
questions in the Q&A
jennifer@winwardacademy.com
winwardacademy winward.academy winward academyTIPS FOR SUCCESS 1. Choose your resources: No two students learn the same 2. Make a plan that fits your learning style: There is no magic number 3. Revisit foundations: Build from the ground up 4. Remember mindfulness: Learn to manage the stress and anxiety 5. Review mistakes: Mistakes are opportunities for growth 6. Take advantage of “special” test dates: Order your score report 7. Practice with real tests: Only use authentic test materials for timed practice 8. Enhance your reading skills: Embrace books and articles
TEST DAY CHECKLIST
ü Photo ID ü A watch without an audible alarm
ü Registration ticket ü Pencil sharpener
ü Directions to your site ü Eraser
ü Three or more #2 pencils ü Tissues
ü Calculator ü Snacks
ü Bottled water
ü Comfortable outfitMORE RESOURCES winwardacademy.com/blog ACT changes for September 2020 Extended time for ACT and SAT Recommended study calendars for sophomores and juniors Guidelines for breakfast and snacks 24-hour countdown to test day Advice for resume creation, interviews, and college applications Superscore vs. score choice
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