Transcript Navigating the Testing Maze

SOLs, PSAT, SAT: Reasoning Test, SAT: Subject Tests,
ACT, AP
PSAT/NMSQT—when and who
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October 2012
All 10th Graders in MCPS—fee waived
11th Graders for NMSC Eligibility--$16 in 2012
PSAT/NMSQT--Content
 Two 25-minute Critical Reading sections
 Two 25-minute Mathematics sections
 One 30-minute Writing Skills Section
PSAT/NMSQT Measures:
 Critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing
skills important to college success
 Knowledge and skills developed through years of study
in a wide range of courses and experiences outside the
classroom
 Ability to reason with facts and concepts rather than
the ability to recall and recite them
SAT: Reasoning Test
 3 hours, 45 minutes
 Multiple choice questions scored the same way:
one point for each correct response, and onequarter point subtracted for incorrect answer. No
points subtracted for answers left blank.
 One out of every two HS students takes the SAT at
least twice.
 The SAT is only one factor colleges consider in the
application evaluation process.
 Critical Reading, Mathematics, Writing
SAT: Reasoning Test continued
 Critical Reading—sentence completion, passage-based
reading questions
 Mathematics—based on the math college-bound
students learn in the first three years of HS (Algebra I,
Geometry, Algebra II)
 Writing—multiple-choice questions and a written
essay
SAT: Reasoning Test continued
 www.collegeboard.org/satprep
American College Testing Program (ACT
Assessment)
 215 multiple-choice questions
 English: 45 minutes
 Mathematics: 60 minutes
 Reading: 35 minutes
 Science: 35 minutes
 Writing (optional test, required by many): 30 minutes
ACT continued
 Content test
 www.act.org
 1-36 scoring
 Concordance Table with SAT: Reasoning
Advanced Placement Program (AP)
 Approximately $87 per subject exam
 Course taught by trained and dedicated BHS teachers
 37 courses in 22 subject areas
 Scored 1-5
 2 or higher for SOL substitution (e.g. English Reading,
Writing, Euro History, US History)
AP continued
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3, 4, 5 passing grades, consideration for college
credit at the respective colleges/universities
 Example:
English Lang & Comp—score of 4 or 5 may result in 6
semester hours of college credit and Freshman
English requirement
 “AP=Admission Preference”
SAT: Subject Tests
 Admission, Placement, Advising
 Specific subjects in English, history, mathematics,
science, and languages
 National SAT dates—either the SAT Reasoning or
SAT: Subject tests (up to 3 in one administration),
one hour each test
 Required by some colleges, recommended by some
 Tests should be considered upon completion of the
corresponding high school course (e.g. AP HS
History and US History Subject test)
SOL Tests
 Standards of Learning
 Student earns a Verified Credit
 Different requirements based on diploma status
 Writing given in Early March, EOC in May
 Retakes/Make-ups given October (Writing) and
December (Non-Writing EOC)
SOL Subjects
 Earth Science (9), Biology (10), Chemistry (11)
 World History I (9), World History II (10),
US/VA History (11)
 Algebra I (9), Geometry (10), Algebra II (11)
 English 11 – Reading and Writing
SOLs and Diploma Status
 Standard
 6 Verified Credits Required
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1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social Studies, English Writing, English
Reading, 1 Choice
 Advanced Studies
 9 Verified Credits Required
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2 Math, 2 Science, 2 Social Studies, English Writing, English
Reading, 1 Choice
SOL Scores
 400 = Pass/Proficient
 500 = Pass/Advanced
 375 = Allows for an Expedited Retake
SOLs and LVCs
Locally Verified Credits
 Science and Social Studies only
 Student must take test twice and receive at least a 375
 Hours of remediation are based on test score and
grade earned in class
Locally Verified Credits
Course Grade
A/B
C/D
SOL Score
Range 375-383
SOL Score
Range 384-392
SOL Score
Range 393-399
10 Hours of
Successful
Remediation
Required
6 Hours of
Successful
Remediation
Required
No
Remediation
Required
10 Hours of
Successful
Remediation
Required
10 Hours of
Successful
Remediation
Required
6 Hours of
Successful
Remediation
Required
SOL Substitute Tests
 Successful completion of various AP courses as well as
scores of 2 or above on the AP exam can earn the
student a verified credit.
 Counselor can provide more information on substitute
tests.
SOL Exam Exemption
 Any student enrolled in a math, science, English, or social
studies class, which requires a SOL end-of-course test
administration will receive a final exam waiver.
 Students in grades 9-12 must meet the following criteria for the
term to receive credit for the course:
1. Complete the Virginia Department of Education SOL end-ofcourse test examination.
2. Complete the essential understandings, knowledge, skills and
processes in the VDOE Curriculum Frameworks, while
maintaining a passing grade in the course preceding the SOL
end-of-course text examination.
3. Students may also choose to take a final exam. The exam will
only count if it raises the grade for those students who opt to
take the examination.