Standardized Testing

With the exception of a few trail blazers, listed at  www.fairtest.org, all colleges require either an SAT 1 or ACT, and most also require two SAT subject tests.  The ACT was traditionally administered  in the mid-west, but it is now common on the east coast as well. Colleges accept either test, without exception.  Last year, approximately 15% of BHSEC students took the ACT, and we anticipate that this will increase.  The mean SAT scores for the class of 2008  were 604 in critical reading and 575 in math.  The national means  were 502 in critical reading and 515 in math. 

SCORE CHOICE  UPDATE FROM THE COLLEGE BOARD  Click here to learn what score choice is all about!

TEST PREP OPTIONS FOR YEAR 1 STUDENTS
(To 10th grade students and parents: please read the below also, so you are aware of these programs.  You will be able to apply for them in the fall of  Year 1. )

The CTO recommends that BHSEC students take the SAT/ACT  in March or May of Year 1and two subject tests in June.  Most students take the tests a second time in the fall of Year 2.    In order to prepare for the SAT 1 or ACT,  Year 1 students have the following two options.  

I.  REVOLUTION PREP:   a great opportunity for Y2 students to prepare for the November 7 SAT.  $399 with unlimited financial aid to qualifying students.  Get all the details below.    THIS CLASS STARTS SEPTEMBER 29th, so please register ASAP.  You can register as late as the first day of the class.

Overview of Revolution Prep

Schedule for Classes - Manhattan & Queens - Rev Prep

Scholarship Application Rev Prep

I. Kaplan Test Prep - special offer for  BHSEC students:    BHSEC students can take Kaplan SAT and ACT prep for $599 versus the usual $1,149 ( financial aid is available -- see below)  

Students receive the same instruction and benefits as a non-BHSEC student paying the full fee.   Course benefits include:

·          12 sessions to prepare for either the SAT or the ACT

·          The Kaplan Higher Score Guarantee - If you feel unprepared for the exam or dissatisfied with your score, repeat the program for free.  If for any reason you don’t score higher, repeat the program for free or get your money back.   

·           Flexibility regarding schedules & location of courses. Classes ARE NOT HELD AT BHSEC!  They are offered throughout the year at various sites throughout the 5 boroughs of NYC.  Go to "Find a course near you?

How and when to register for Kaplan: 

A.   Choose a class: December  is a great  time to select and register for an SAT or ACT course to prepare for the March or May tests (June is also an option, although we typically recommend that students take the subject tests in June).  CLICK HERE:  Find a Kaplan course near you. (Be sure to look at instructor-led courses only; these are listed for $1,149).

 B.  Register with Kaplan: Once you have found a convenient  course,  call 1-800-KAPTEST and let them know you are a Bard student.   If you have any difficulty, contact our Kaplan Representative, Katie Winter at 212.590.2808 or katherine.winter@kaplan.com.

C. Financial Aid for Kaplan Courses: A limited amount of financial aid is available through the CTO.  If $599 is a real financial burden for  your family,  please do not hesitate to apply for  financial aid.    See Ms. Cheikes a few weeks before the course starts.

FREE SAT PREP COURSES

NOTE: The below FREE programs have an application and screening process.  Space is limited and spots are intended to serve students who do NOT have the means to pay for SAT prep, such as Kaplan or Princeton Review courses.   Most of these FREE programs ALSO offer general college guidance that, again, is targeted to help students who need it the most.

A. Edgies Teen Center; FREE SAT classes and college prep

The Edgies Teen Center is an official Educational Alliance Boys and Girls Club with many programs for teens, including a very strong college preparatory program. 
Edgies is located in lower Manhattan at 197 East Broadway.

The Edgies college prep program is highly recommended by the BHSEC CTO.  BHSEC students have greatly benefited from, and enjoyed, this program. In addition to SAT prep, Edgies offers college tours and  help with college applications and financial aid forms.  

Please contact  Sonia Bhuta, College Prep Director
212.780.2300 ext. 374
sonia_bhuta@edalliance.org.

B.  OPTIONS  program at Goddard Riverside; FREE SAT classes and college prep
SAT Prep is usually offered in the Winter or Spring.  Please check back in November, 2009 for an update.  All classes and practice tests take place at OPTIONS at 593 Columbus Avenue at 88th street. If you would like to see last year's schedule click here.

C. Henry Street Settlement; FREE SAT classes and college prep
The Henry Street Settlement offers FREE SAT prep and an extensive college counseling program, including college trips.  Please contact Ritu Sen for details.

Ritu Sen
Program Coordinator
Expanded Horizons College Program
Henry Street Settlement, 301 Henry Street, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 254- 3100 ext 203,  Fax: (212) 777-1445                                         Email: RSen@henrystreet.org

D. APEX SAT  Prep in Chinatown; FREE SAT classes
Stay tuned.  

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OVERVIEW OF THE PSAT AND SAT

PSAT: The PSAT or Preliminary Standardized Assessment Test is the same as the SAT but is offered for preparation and will not be sent to colleges. By taking the PSAT, students are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program and other recognition programs which may refer students with high scores to four-year schools. 10th grade students are encouraged to take the PSAT and Year 1 students are required to do so.

SAT I: The SAT I includes three sections: Verbal, Math and Writing. Each section is scored from 200-800 points. The Writing component has a student-written essay that is scored from 1-6 points. The SAT I is offered 7 times per academic year.  As of March of 2009, students will be able to select the scores they want to send to colleges; this includes tests taken prior to March, 2009.

SAT II Subject Tests: These hour-long exams are offered in  Literature, U.S. History, World History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and a variety of languages. SAT IIs are administered 6 times per academic year. Students can take up to 3 tests in one day.  Free SAT II subject test prep booklets (which include sample tests) are available in the CTO. Sample tests can also be downloaded here. With the exception of THE BELOW NOTE, most BHSEC students take the subject tests at the end of Year 1 and/or fall of Year 2.  The CTO recommends that students take 2 subject tests.  Only a few colleges (Harvard and Princeton, for eg) require 3.  

* BHSEC recommends that students strong in U.S. History consider taking the U.S. History SAT II in June of grade 9 and students strong in Global/World History consider taking the World History SAT II in June of grade 10. Students should speak with their teachers about these options. All other subject tests are typically taken by students in the spring of Year I and fall of Year II.

Registration for the SAT I AND SAT II: Students can register online at www.collegeboard.com, or pick up a registration booklet in the CTO. Online registration provides immediate registration confirmation and also allows students to choose a test center. Click here for a list of test dates and registration deadlines.

SAT I and II FEE WAIVERS* are available for eligible students (family's with incomes of $55,000 m).  Students should bring a copy of their parents’ most recent income tax return to Ms. Cheikes. *NOTE: Fee waivers CANNOT be used for late registration.  

The ACT: The ACT, traditionally taken by students in Midwestern states in lieu of the SAT I, is gaining popularity on the East Coast.   COLLEGES GIVE THE ACT AND SAT EQUAL CONSIDERATION (I.E.  THE ACT IS JUST AS VALID AS THE SAT IN THE EYES OF COLLEGES ADMISSIONS STAFF).    Unlike the SAT, which is designed to measure reasoning and critical thinking skills, the ACT is designed to measure academic achievement in English, math, reading and science.  Some students feel more comfortable with the ACT. The ACT has an optional writing component. To be competitive with the new SAT, students must register for the writing component. ACT practice test are available in the CTO or online at www.actstudent.org

The ACT versus the SAT:
Click here for a complete comparison of two tests and a breakdown of subjects covered on the ACT. Following are a few key differences between the ACT and the SAT:

• The ACT has a science component; the SAT I does not.
• The ACT is scored from 1-36; the SAT has three components, Math, Critical Reading and Writing, each scored from 200-800.
• The ACT permits “score choice” whereby students can choose the scores they want to send to colleges; the SAT does not.

Registration for the ACT
Students can register online at www.actstudent.org or pick up a registration booklet in the CTO. Click here for a list of test dates and registration deadlines.

ACT FEE WAIVERS are available for eligible students. Students should bring a copy of their parents’ most recent income tax return to Ms. Cheikes. *Fee waivers cannot be used for late registration.

TOEFL: The Test of English as a Foreign Language is recommended for students with five years or less of English language usage. Colleges substitute the TOEFL for the Verbal and Critical Reading SAT I components.

Different Standardized Test Requirements at Different Schools
Many schools require the SAT I, or the ACT (with the optional writing component) plus two SAT II subject tests, however some require fewer and some more. The College Board has started a list of subject test requirements of different schools. For schools not included on this list, students can quickly look up admission requirements of different schools by using the “College Quickfinder” at www.collegeboard.com.

Forwarding Standardized Test Scores to Colleges
Year 2 students are responsible for having their test scores forwarded to colleges. The CTO does not send SAT scores to colleges. SAT scores can be forwarded at:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html

ACT scores can be forwarded at:

http://www.actstudent.org

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