The Compass Guide to College Admission Testing …

1 THE Compass Guide TO College Admission Testing 2017 EDITIONFor updates, please visit electronic versions of the Compass Guide may be redistributed for non-commercial use so long as no changes are made to the document. Please contact for additional licensing or distribution options. Copyright 2017 by Compass Education Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Version updated 1/17/2018 OWNERSHIP OF TRADEMARKS*For all references herein, PSAT, SAT, and AP are trademarks owned by the College Board, and ACT and Aspire are trademarks owned by American College Testing , neither of which were involved in the production of, nor do they endorse, these materials. College Admission and Testing 2 7 The Competitive Landscape 8 17 Testing Calendar 18 21 The Compass Approach to Tutoring 22 23 Comparing SAT and ACT: Scores 24 29 PSAT and PreACT 30 33 National Merit Scholarship Program 34 35 Evolution of the SAT 36 37 Comparing SAT and ACT: Content and Strategy 38 57 Reading 40 41 English 42 45 Math 46 49 Science 50 51 Writing 52 57 Subject Tests 58 63 Advanced Placement Exams 64 67 Testing Policies 68 69 School Day Testing 70 71 Score Choice and Superscoring 72 73 Testing Accommodations 74 75 References and Resources 76 79 Online Tutoring and Proctoring 80 81 The Compass Team 82 87 Compass for Counselors 88 89 Tips for Test Day 90 91We ve listed some of the most common questions and the pages where you can find the answers.

2 Of course, we welcome the chance to talk directly to you about these or other College Admission Testing (s) College AdmissionHow important are my test scores? 2 3 Which tests are required? What are my choices?4 What does test optional really mean? Should I skip taking these tests?5 7Is the SAT or ACT essay required? What does recommended or optional mean?53 What score do I need to get in to College XYZ? What is a good score? 8 14 What does my score report mean? Which scores do colleges use?28 29 Will colleges see only my best scores? 72 73 How do colleges compare ACT and SAT scores? 24 29 Test PlanningWhen should I begin preparation and when should I take the tests? 18 21 Are some test dates easier than others?26 Should I prepare to take the SAT or ACT? What are the main differences between the tests?24 25, 38 39 How do I register for the test, view my scores, and send my scores to colleges?68 69 What are the requirements and steps to get Testing accommodations?

3 74 75 What should I expect from test prep? Does it work? What will I learn?22 23, 40 57 How frequently should I take practice tests?79 What should I do the night before and morning of the test?90 91 PSATWhat score do I need on the PSAT to receive National Merit recognition?35 Why is 1520 a perfect score on the PSAT?32Is the PSAT easier than the SAT? What do my scores mean?30 31 SAT How has the SAT changed? 36 37 Will guessing help my score? Do all questions count toward my score?26 How do my scores compare to those of other students?16 17 How much reading will I have to do? What does it look like?40 41 What grammar should I study for the Writing and Language Test?44 How does the math on the SAT compare to the math on the ACT and the old SAT?48 49 What is the SAT Essay assignment? How will my essay be scored? 54 57 ACTHow difficult is the ACT English Test?42 What topics come up on the ACT Math Test, and how difficult are the problems?

4 47 49 What factors inform the Testing strategy for ACT Math?47 How is the ACT Reading Test different from the SAT s? Is one easier?40 Does the ACT Science Test require knowledge from science classes?51 How has the ACT Writing Test changed? How is it now scored?52, 55 57 Subject TestsWhat are the SAT Subject Tests and when should I take them?58 59 Which colleges require Subject Tests?60 63 Which colleges waive the Subject Tests requirement if I submit the ACT?60 Frequently Asked QuestionsAdam Ingersoll Principal Adam began his career in test prep in 1993 while at the University of Southern California, where he was a student-athlete on the basketball team, worked in the Admission office, and graduated magna cum laude. Over the last two decades he has guided thousands of families to successful experiences with standardized tests and has mentored hundreds of the industry's most sought-after tutors. Adam is known nationally as a leading expert on College Admission Testing and is a frequent presenter at higher education conferences, faculty development workshops, and school seminars.

5 Art Sawyer Principal Art graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where he was the top-ranked liberal arts student in his class. Art pioneered the one-on-one approach to test prep in California in 1989 and has written more than a dozen test prep books. Although he has routinely attained perfect scores on the SAT and ACT, Art is far prouder of the thousands of students he has helped over the past 25 years. Nobody knows more about standardized tests and tutoring than Art, and we make sure all Compass students benefit from his Reed Executive Director Bruce graduated from Colby College and has served in leadership roles in education for more than 20 years. In 2004, Bruce founded our Northern California office, where he continues to serve as its hands-on leader while also guiding our Southern California team as Compass Executive Director. Bruce is recognized throughout the Bay Area and beyond as a visionary and passionate voice in the realm of teaching, Testing , and educational development.

6 He speaks regularly at higher education conferences and has written about College Admission Testing for TIME Compass Education GroupFoundersCompass is one of the world's leading providers of in-home, one-on-one tutoring for high school students aspiring to attend selective colleges. We provide individualized, comprehensive test preparation to thousands of students annually, either in their homes in the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco areas or online anywhere in the world. We are best known within highly regarded, competitive high schools for our private tutoring, and we partner with schools to offer affordable on-campus classes as well. We also have a proud tradition of partnering with schools and nonprofit organizations such as Juma Ventures, 10,000 Degrees, Breakthrough, Summerbridge, The Alliance for Minority Affairs, Constitutional Rights Foundation, and Step Up Women s Network to help more students attend four-year colleges.

7 Compass has earned an unmatched level of trust by schools and counselors over our founders history in the test prep field dating back to 1989. We are regularly invited to provide advising seminars for parents, diagnostic assessments for students, and professional development events for faculty and counselors at high schools and colleges. Our reputation in the education community is due to the consistently outstanding successes our students last several years have seen a great deal of change in the arena of College Admission Testing , but the good news for families of juniors and sophomores is that the Testing world seems to be stabilizing. The redesigned SAT and new ACT Writing Test have been implemented for two years. Early controversies seemed to be driving more students to select the ACT, but we're seeing increasing numbers of students returning to a preference for the SAT. We expect a return this year to a natural equilibrium in popularity between the two tests as the controversies die good news for the 2017 2018 school year is the start of expanded summer Testing .

8 2017 marks the end of the January SAT and the beginning of the August SAT; likewise, 2018 will see the start of the July ACT. For those students looking to prepare for the exams outside of the impacted school year, these additions are a boon!Before students prep, however, they face the decision of whether to take the SAT or ACT. As both tests are equally acceptable at institutions that require standardized Testing , the choice should be based first on a comparison of a student s performance on each test and then on additional logistical and practical directors are experts at helping each family develop an optimal Testing plan, which includes the selection of a test and test date and the structure and goals of a tutoring program. Our directors have helped thousands of families tailor programs to fit their individual needs. Each student's Testing plan is unique; Compass guides every student to a successful outcome and a positive Compass Guide is designed to help students, families, and counselors begin to make informed College Admission Testing decisions, but you may want to think of this as a foundation and starting point for a specific conversation about your student.

9 Compass recognizes that families are often exposed to a great deal of misinformation and rumors when it comes to applying to colleges. Our goal is to provide you with a reference that is both comprehensive and authoritative. We regularly update PDF and iBook versions of this Guide at We also write extensively about new and evolving issues in Admission Testing at , where you can subscribe to receive a monthly digest of new posts. A quick search of our website will take you to our popular posts:EDUCATION GROUPS ubject TestsOur searchable table of which colleges require or recommend Subject TestsFAQ and popular Subject TestsWhat s a good Subject Test ScoreTesting AccommodationsOverview from a neuropsychologist s perspectiveUpdated process for applying for SAT or ACT Testing accommodationsNational MeritHow the National Merit process worksUpdated semifinalist cutoffs for each stateThe SAT vs. ACT ChoiceScore Policies and Repeat TestingHow to compare scores using concordance dataHow the SAT and ACT are scaledHow to use PSAT scores to choose a testWhy ACT is more popular than SAT among high scorersWhy students choose the SATHow to interpret score reportsHow to handle pacing, reading, and scienceSuper-scoring and Score Choice policies for 360popular collegesHow to evaluate repeat Testing decisionsThe Optional EssayUpdated list of which colleges require or recommend the SAT or ACT essayComparisons of writing tasksSAT and ACT essay strategiesCompetitive ScoresOur searchable table of concorded SAT and ACT score ranges at 360 popular collegesCompass ServicesComplimentary, no-obligation diagnostic Testing and consultationsIn-person and online are approximately 2,300 accredited, non-profit four-year colleges and universities in the United States.

10 Their Admission protocols have never been uniform, and in recent years the range of requirements has only increased. The debate is now especially high-pitched over how significant a role standardized tests should play in Admission decisions. Paradoxically, the trend at selective colleges is toward more flexible Testing requirements for students while the competition to gain Admission intensifies. Fewer colleges now require SAT Subject Tests, the essay component of the SAT or ACT, or standardized tests at all. Grades, especially in College prep courses, continue to be the most important factor in a student s application. Yet despite the trend toward flexible requirements, test scores remain a highly significant factor at selective colleges. Students are well-advised to go beyond the minimum requirements when applying to such schools. Admission FactorsPercentage of Colleges Reporting Considerable or Moderate Importance Holistic Versus Formulaic Admission DecisionsSome Admission offices at large public universities in particular are all but forced to admit by the numbers in a formulaic process.