GCM College Testing Info

Night
Question:
1.Standardized tests are a lot of fun:

Gardner Humphreys
Jan. 2017
College & Career Center Specialist

What are the Tests

SAT, ACT, (TOEFL, ASVAB, etc.)

Trying to measure content learned
or aptitude; about 4 hours
Provide a common yardstick
Both SAT and ACT widely
accepted
Not an IQ test!

Role in Admissions

Most schools say grades and

strength of schedule tops
Scores used as check on a
college's view of you; one more data
point
"Competitive" scores often mean a range,
not a threshold; esp. helpful if on the
bubble
Value can depend on context: intended
major, geographic region, gender, etc.
Weigh your time/energy/$ investment vs.
the potential return

Practice Tests
At GCM:
9-10th Grade: Automatic PSAT
11th Grade: Optional PSAT (only
National Merit date though)
College Board emails went out
in Dec.
GCM has recovery codes if
email or login dont work

Make a Plan
1.

What level of scores are my

goal?

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

use Family Connection, other tools

Which tests are best?

Focus on low areas
Try ACT and SAT
Make a calendar
Try different methods,
strategies

Family Connection &

GCM Library Test Prep

Create a SIS Parent View account

fcps.blackboard.com

Family Connection &

GCM Library Test Prep

GCM Ranges
Old SAT

(Not this kind)

Math 520-670
Reading 520-660
Combined 1050-1320
Subject Tests:
Consider: Math II, Physics, Chemistry,
Biology (M), Math I, Literature, US
History

ACT

Top GCM students showing higher

ACTs
Composite 23-28
* Class of 2014 Fall

The Middle
50%
Old SAT ACT

VCU

980-1190 20-26

GMU

1050-1250

23-28

UVA

1240-1460

28-32

Tufts

1360-1500

30-33

Beware Scattergram averages

Look at context: school, region,
major, etc.

Registering
Students register at:

ACT
www.actstudent.org
SAT
www.collegeboard.com

Registration Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Pick date carefully

Get a fee waiver if you qualify
Select your 4 FREE colleges
Register online locations vary
Use official name and address
Decide if you want lots of mail!
(SSS wont send SSN, phone # or
scores)
App for Question of the Day
Changes only until deadline, with fee

Test Day

You slept, right? No cram.

Practice finding site, visit
the room = less unkowns,
more knowns!
What to bring:
Ticket, ID, calculator, pencils,
snack
Checklist online

Sending Scores

Student responsibility
Remember the 4 Free?
Sent 3 weeks +/- after test date and
posted online; otherwise 1-2 weeks
after request, plus campus processing
Most use SuperScore for SAT

Beware of Score Choice and Rush

Delivery

Reports cost 12 $ per school after

regis.

Common Questions

NCAA Division I Sliding Scale min.

is 400 SAT with 3.550 GPA, 2.300
GPA if 890 SAT
AP and IB test scores
Scores and admission calendar
(ED, rolling, deferred, waitlist, etc.)
Transferring
Community College
Schools outside U.S.

FREE TEST PREP

gcmhslibrary.com (ACT & SAT Subject

Tests) GCM Library\Databases\Career,

College, Lifeskills\Testing
collegeboard.org/practice - with Khan
Academy, link accounts
actstudent.org/sampletest practice
questions and sample writing prompts and
essays
FREE study guides and practice tests
in Career Center Learn, after school,
Mondays, Ready4SAT
Teacher Workdays Jan. 19, others
teacher workdays

Merit Aid &

Scholarships
Examples:

Longwood 1200 Old SAT/3.5 gets $8,500/yr

Ferrum

1200 Old SAT/3.5 gets $20,000/yr

Family Connection;
finaid.org; meritaid.com
Check with admissions and financial
aid
Scholarship Dates: e.g. GMU is Nov.
1!
Check

Test Optional
Colleges
Verify

with each college.

Often have requirements in order to

qualify (e.g. GMU: 3.5, course
strength, extracurriculars, teacher
letter)
List

of some colleges at
www.fairtest.org

Questions?

Search: gcmcollegecareercenter

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