WHAT’S NEW WITH THE ACT, SAT & PSAT What is a good score?
THE NEW PSAT- RESULTS Scoring has changed for both the new PSAT and the National Merit
Scholarship Corporation
The new PSAT will be scored on a different range than what's been
used until now, with a minimum possible score of 320 and a maximum of 1520. Math is scored from 160 to 760 (MATH is half of the composite score) Reading and Writing (technically called Writing and Language) will be scored together from 160 to 760 (these two sections will combine to make the “VERBAL” score, which together will be the other half of the total score)
WHAT MAKES FOR A GOOD PSAT SCORE? u There are a few ways we can define “good.” u a high percentile compared to the scores of other test-takers u what scores qualify for National Merit distinction and scholarships u your PSAT scores’ prediction for your SAT u Colleges typically do not request PSAT scores, however
some colleges of Engineering would like to know your PSAT math score.
WHAT PSAT SCORES WILL RANK IN A HIGH PERCENTILE? Based on last year's PSAT data, this is how we expect your 2015 scores
on the new PSAT to translate: 690-760 will likely fall in the 99th percentile for Reading & Writing 720-760 will likely fall in the 99th percentile for Math (more
competitive) You don’t have to score perfectly to be in the 99th percentile! 690 Verbal + 720 Math = 1410
WHAT'S A GOOD PSAT SCORE FOR NATIONAL MERIT? The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) compares scores
on a state-to-state basis It names the top 3 or 4% of students as Commended Scholars National Merit Semifinalist distinction is given to the top 1%.
NMSC'S NEW SELECTION INDEX National Merit has always used its own Selection Index, or scoring
scale, to determine Commended Scholars and Semifinalists
The actual cutoffs (and notifications) probably won’t be released
until September 2016 The old PSAT selection index ranged from 60-240 The new one, though, has a scale between 48 and 228
The national average cutoff for Semifinalists was a 212, but is
now projected at 200 (down by 12) The cut-off for Semifinalists in Michigan was 210, but is now projected at 198 (all states down by 12 - current estimate)
WHAT DO I DO NEXT? At this point, students can create a College Board account and link their
account to a Khan Academy account. This will generate a free, personalized on-line practice for the SAT, based on their PSAT/NMSQT results. To create a College Board account, students should: Visit studentscores.collegeboard.org Create a Khan Academy account at satpractice.org and link it to
their College Board account to get free, personalized practice for the SAT. Helpline:
[email protected] (866) 433-7723
THE NEW “2016” SAT All juniors at DHS will take the SAT on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 DHS will register each student The State of Michigan will pay for all juniors to take the April test DHS is NOT a national test site, so if a student elects to re-take the
SAT, s/he must register and pay for additional tests taken at a national test site such as Ann Arbor-Pioneer HS. Register at sat.collegeboard.org
DHS is a national test site for ACT. Students are responsible for
registering and paying for the ACT. Fee waivers are available to those who are eligible. See counselor. Register at www.actstudent.org
ACT VS. SAT Most colleges have historically accepted both ACT and SAT and will continue to do so. Most do NOT prefer one over the other. DHS Counselors suggest that students take both, as colleges will use the highest of the two when making admission decisions. ACT English = 1 to 36
SAT Reading & Writing = 200 to 800
Math = 1 to 36
Math = 200 to 800
Reading = 1-36
Sum score range = 400 to 1600
Science = 1-36 COMPOSITE (avg) = 1-36
Essay 2 to 8, not included in total
WHAT….NO SCIENCE OR HISTORY? There will not be a separate science section. Students will
apply their reading, writing, language, and math skills to answer questions in science, history, and social studies.
RE-TAKING THE ACT AND/OR SAT… Should you re-take either the ACT or SAT? Students register themselves and cover the costs DHS is a national test site for ACT; it is NOT for SAT Should I pay extra to take the optional WRITING/Essay portion? Score reporting to colleges, NCAA? Should I report all of my scores? Score reporting on DHS transcript
COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES? A new scale will be
published later in the spring of 2016, but here is a projection of the concordance comparisons between ACT & SAT
ACT
SAT
17……………. 810-850 20 …………… 940-970 25 …………
1130-1160
28 …………
1240-1270
30 …………
1320-1350
32 …………
1410-1450
34 …………
1510-1550
36 …………
1600
WHERE WILL MY SCORES GET ME IN? U of M (avg)
ACT 30
SAT 1320-1350
Kalamazoo
ACT 29
SAT 1280-1310
Michigan State
ACT 26
SAT 1170-1200
Grand Valley
ACT 23-26
SAT 1060-1200
Western Michigan
ACT 23
SAT 1060-1080
U of Chicago
ACT 33
SAT 1460-1500
Purdue
ACT 27
SAT 1210-1230
UCLA
ACT 28
SAT 1240-1270
The IVIES
ACT 34
SAT 1510-1550
ACT & SAT TEST DATES
ACT
Feb. 6, 2016 April 9, 2016 June 11, 2016 Sept. 10, 2016 Oct. 22, 2016 Dec. 10, 2016
New SAT March 5, 2016 April 12, 2016 (all DHS Juniors) May 7, 2016 June 4, 2016 Oct. 1, 2016 Nov. 5, 2016 Dec. 3, 2016
$56.50 (with Writing)
$54.50 (with essay)
$39.50 (without Writing)
$43.00( without essay)
QUESTIONS? If you missed any part of the presentation at DHS and need
clarifications or have additional questions, please contact your child’s high school counselor. They are committed to helping you!
Geraldine Brady-Holmes 424-4240 ext. 7055 (Assists students Pe-Z) Kristie Doyle 424-4240 ext. 7051 (Assists students H-Pa) Suzanne McCarthy 424-4240 ext. 7052 (Assists Internation Students) Craig Rafail 424-4240 ext. 7053 (Assists students A-G) Jan. 26, 2016
