COLLEGE BOARD
www.collegeboard.com

PSAT/ NMSQT
On Saturday, October 20, 2007 the PSAT/NMSQT, the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, will be administered at the King Philip Regional High School from 8:00 A.M. sharp to approximately 11:00 A.M. The actual testing time is two hours and ten minutes, but the total administration lasts nearly three hours. The primary purpose of this test is to give juniors an opportunity to experience an abbreviated version of the SAT Reasoning Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test. All college bound juniors, regardless of whether or not they took the PSAT as sophomores should plan to take the test. A small percentage of juniors, those with highly developed academic skills and a strong academic background, have a chance to earn recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program as the result of high scores on this test. Each year one or two King Philip juniors earn recognition as Merit Scholars and several others receive status as Commended Students. For the majority of our juniors, however, the PSAT is strictly a practice test.

Sophomores receive no scholarship consideration from this test and they should not feel obliged to take it. In the past, some sophomores, those taking level one English and level one math, having completed both Algebra I and Geometry, have taken this test for practice. Most sophomores do not take this test.

If you wish to take this test, you can sign up in the Guidance Office from Monday, October 1st through Friday, October 12 th by paying the twenty-five dollar ($25.00) registration fee. Registrations will close on that day and no exceptions will be made. In keeping with the College Board policies and as a result of increased expenses, no refunds will be allowed for those students who register for the exam, but do not take it. So please plan accordingly. If you are unsure whether or not you should take this test, feel free to consult your guidance counselor.

If you are eligible for, and have received approval from College Board for testing accommodations, please be sure to state so when registering.

SAT Reasoning Tests (formerly SAT I)

The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems. Each section of the SAT (critical reading, mathematics, and writing) is scored on a scale of 200-800, and the writing section will contain two subscores. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.

The test is three hours and forty-five minutes long and its three sections are divided into nine subsections, including a 25-minute essay, which are timed separately:

You're probably familiar with the SAT Reasoning Test - the three hour admissions exam used by many colleges--but did you know that colleges may require or recommend test beyond the SAT ?
Now is a good time to find out about tests you should take and how you can prepare.

How to prepare for the SAT Reasoning Test

The SAT Reasoning Test measures verbal and mathematical skills you've developed over time and skills you need to be successful academically. As a junior, you have already done the bulk of the preparation you'll need for the SAT throughout your years of class work and studying

In addition to hard work you're doing in school, practicing with real SAT questions and tests can also help you get ready. Consider these test taking tips: 

Familiarize yourself with the test.
Learn the test directions, the basic groupings of questions, and how the test is graded. Knowing what to expect will help you move through the test more quickly and save time.

Practice taking the test.
Practice will help you get comfortable with question types on the exam. Practice questions are available on-line at collegeboard.com. In addition, there are various practice books available at your local library and bookstores. The guidance office has free practice booklets provided by the College Board.

Focus your practice
If you're having trouble with particular sections, concentrate on building your skills there. Take a mini-SAT for free online analysis of where you need help.

SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II)

SAT Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests. The SAT Subject Tests are designed to show your child's knowledge, and ability to apply that knowledge, in specific subject areas.

King Philip Regional High School will be a testing center for SAT Reasoning Tests on November 3, 2007, and May 3, 2008.

For registration or other testing dates/sites and fees for PSAT, SAT Reasoning, and Subject Tests are available online at http://www.collegeboard.com/.

THE SUBJECTS

Many colleges require or recommend one or more of these tests for admission or placement. Check the requirements of colleges you are considering before you decide which tests to take.

You can take Subject Tests as early as the end of your first year of high school after completing a course of study in subjects such as Biology or American History.

For other subjects, such as languages, complete at least two years of study before taking the test. For each test, review the recommended preparation in SAT Subject Tests Preparation Booklet. Also ask your teacher or counselor for advice about when to take a test.

Publication about the SAT’s and testing dates are available in the guidance office.

General Testing Recommendations:

PSAT October of your sophomore Year (Students in advanced classes only)
PSAT October of your Junior year
SAT Reasoning May of your Junior year.
SAT Reasoning November of your Senior year
SAT Subject December of your Senior year

The guidance department has practice materials and books for student use available.

The guidance web page is linked to a number of Internet sites that provide practice test and helpful hints i.e. College Board, etc.

The guidance department has information on courses and programs for SAT preparation outside the school system Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc.

Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations

Advanced Placement courses are college-level courses. Teachers follow a curriculum prescribed by the College Board. Advanced Placement Exams final score is reported on a 5-point scale.

5 = extremely well qualified

4 = well qualified

3 = qualified

2 = possibly qualified

1 = no recommendation

AP Exams are given at King Philip Regional High School on:

May, 5, 2008 U.S. Government

May 6, 2008 Statistics

May 7, 2008 Calculus

May 8, 2008 English Literature

May 9, 2008 U.S. History & Art

May 12, 2008 Biology & Physics

May 13, 2008 Chemistry

May 14, 2008 English Language

May 15, 2008 World History & Microeconomics

Additional information on the AP exams can be found at www.collegeboard.com.

“ACT”

American College Testing (ACT)

www.actstudent.org

The ACT Plus Writing includes the four-subject area tests and a 30-minute Writing Test. The ACT results are accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and universities. The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete with breaks (or just over four hours if you are taking the Writing Test). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes) if you are taking the Writing Test).In the U.S., the ACT is administered on five national test dates—in October, December, February, April and June.