Testing
PSAT/NMSQT | Posted 10/8/24
If you signed up to take the PSAT/NMSQT, please check your email for an important message from Mrs. Mac.
PSAT/NMSQT Test for Juniors | Posted 9/4/24
Attention Juniors: The PSAT/NMSQT test date will be here before you know it. This test can qualify you as a National Merit Scholar and can open up scholarship opportunities if you score high enough on the test. If you are interested in taking this test, which is also a great way to practice for the SAT and ACT in the spring, you need to sign up on Mrs. McAnally's bulletin board by Monday, Sept 9. To learn more about this test, go to College Board and click on PSAT/NMSQT or see Mrs. Mac.
Should Students Study for the SAT and PSAT? | Posted 3/1/21
The answer is a resounding YES! Students would never consider walking in to a class to take a test and expect to do well without studying. The same goes for standardized testing! Students should spend time every week using Khan Academy to prepare for these standardized tests. Doing a little at a time is much better than cramming all at once. Mrs. McAnally also has some study materials in her office for the SAT. These can be checked out from Mrs. Nuzzo in the school library on a first-come, first-served basis. Both Khan Academy and the study books provide full-length practice tests for students. These tests will allow students to see what their current scores would be and what they still need to study to improve their scores.
The SAT and PSAT tests have five sections – English Grammar and Rhetoric, Reading, Math with Calculator, and Math without Calculator. There is also a writing section at the end of the test. The tests are scored by providing an overall score on the English, Reading, and Writing sections called ERW, and the math sections are combined for a math overall score. The scores are added together to figure the overall composite score. The State of Illinois benchmarks are 540 for each section on the SAT. PSAT 9 benchmarks are 410 for ERW and 450 for Math. PSAT 10 benchmarks are 430 for ERW and 480 for Math.
Students wishing to earn scholarship money at the college level for their GPA and SAT test scores will need a minimum SAT overall composite score of at least a 1240. A minimum composite score of 1110 is needed for acceptance to a four-year university. Many universities require a higher score than this, so students will need to research the schools they are interested in to know what minimum score is needed for admission as well as for scholarship money.
What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? | Posted 10/1/20
The SAT is comprised of English/Reading/Writing and Math. Each are worth 50% of the test score. There are two ERW sections, one that focuses on grammar and rhetoric, and one that focuses on reading and writing. There are two Math sections, one is without a calculator and one is with a calculator. Both math sections have a series of problems that must be worked outright, with multiple-choice options available for these problems. The writing essay is optional and is scored separately from the rest of the exam. Scores for the SAT range from 400-1600 total, with the ERW and Math worth 200-800 each.
The ACT has four main sections to the test, each accounting for 25% of the overall score. The four sections are: English (grammar), Reading, Math, and Science Reasoning. There is an optional Essay test at the end. The Essay is a separate score from the rest of the test. One main difference between the SAT and ACT is the ACT allows for a calculator on all problems and there are no problems that have to be worked by hand (all are multiple choice). Students who are stronger in Reading than Math tend to score higher on an ACT than an SAT. Students who are more well rounded in their academic knowledge also tend to score higher on an ACT because they can use their science knowledge.
Colleges accept the SAT and ACT equally. Students can take the test repeatedly, with most students taking a standardized test two to three times. Students typically score higher on the second test because they are more familiar with the testing procedures and the test content the second time around. College will only look at the highest overall total score for the standardized test. Some colleges also super score, meaning they will combine section scores of multiple tests to get the highest total composite score.
What if I’m going to Waubonsee or JJC to get into a trade and don’t plan to go to college to earn a degree?
Taking the ACT or SAT is still important for these students. Waubonsee and JJC have certain requirements, particularly reading requirements, in order to earn a certificate in several of their technical trade programs. If a student doesn’t have a certain ACT or SAT score, the student will need to take a placement exam to qualify for admission into the program. Programs at WCC that require a certain reading score:
Join Kaplan's PSAT Prep Live | Posted 8/22/19
Kaplan's PSAT prep brings students live, interactive lessons on the key topics for the exam right before test day. Students can sign up for an all-access pass and then start studying with our free quizzes, prep plan, and practice test. Free live lessons start October 12. Stream must-know math, reading, and writing strategies with teachers, Boris and Stephanie. Save your seat: https://bit.ly/2ZmjVfg
Math SAT Practice Website Links | Posted 2/1/19
Juniors, here are links to practice for the math portion of the SAT. Please feel free to use these resources to help you get ready for the test: http://www.nchs18.org/_studentservices/_stuservtesting.html
Math SAT Practice Website Links | Posted 11/14/18
Juniors, here are some practice items for the math portion of the SAT. Please feel free to use the resources below to help you get ready for the test:
https://www.varsitytutors.com/sat-questions-of-the-day
https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-practice
https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-of-free-sat-math-practice
http://www.freesatmath.com/
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/math/calculator-permitted/1
https://www.khanacademy.org/coach/dashboard
Get Kaplan’s free SAT and ACT Study Guide | Posted 8/23/18
Have questions about the SAT and ACT? Kaplan’s new study guide is your go-to for information on both tests. Download it here for free: https://bit.ly/2BExi40
Practice SRT Resources | Posted 2/15/17
Juniors, here are some practice items for the upcoming SAT. This test replaced the PARCC and ALL juniors will test at NCHS. Please feel free to use the resources below to help you get ready for the test:
Downloadable Practice Tests: https://goo.gl/Txvhwc
Downloadable Practice Tests for Assistive Technology: https://goo.gl/TB5uwq
Downloadable MP3 Practice Tests: https://goo.gl/XML9sV
PSAT
Why take the PSAT?
There are actually TWO reasons.
If you signed up to take the PSAT/NMSQT, please check your email for an important message from Mrs. Mac.
PSAT/NMSQT Test for Juniors | Posted 9/4/24
Attention Juniors: The PSAT/NMSQT test date will be here before you know it. This test can qualify you as a National Merit Scholar and can open up scholarship opportunities if you score high enough on the test. If you are interested in taking this test, which is also a great way to practice for the SAT and ACT in the spring, you need to sign up on Mrs. McAnally's bulletin board by Monday, Sept 9. To learn more about this test, go to College Board and click on PSAT/NMSQT or see Mrs. Mac.
Should Students Study for the SAT and PSAT? | Posted 3/1/21
The answer is a resounding YES! Students would never consider walking in to a class to take a test and expect to do well without studying. The same goes for standardized testing! Students should spend time every week using Khan Academy to prepare for these standardized tests. Doing a little at a time is much better than cramming all at once. Mrs. McAnally also has some study materials in her office for the SAT. These can be checked out from Mrs. Nuzzo in the school library on a first-come, first-served basis. Both Khan Academy and the study books provide full-length practice tests for students. These tests will allow students to see what their current scores would be and what they still need to study to improve their scores.
The SAT and PSAT tests have five sections – English Grammar and Rhetoric, Reading, Math with Calculator, and Math without Calculator. There is also a writing section at the end of the test. The tests are scored by providing an overall score on the English, Reading, and Writing sections called ERW, and the math sections are combined for a math overall score. The scores are added together to figure the overall composite score. The State of Illinois benchmarks are 540 for each section on the SAT. PSAT 9 benchmarks are 410 for ERW and 450 for Math. PSAT 10 benchmarks are 430 for ERW and 480 for Math.
Students wishing to earn scholarship money at the college level for their GPA and SAT test scores will need a minimum SAT overall composite score of at least a 1240. A minimum composite score of 1110 is needed for acceptance to a four-year university. Many universities require a higher score than this, so students will need to research the schools they are interested in to know what minimum score is needed for admission as well as for scholarship money.
What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? | Posted 10/1/20
The SAT is comprised of English/Reading/Writing and Math. Each are worth 50% of the test score. There are two ERW sections, one that focuses on grammar and rhetoric, and one that focuses on reading and writing. There are two Math sections, one is without a calculator and one is with a calculator. Both math sections have a series of problems that must be worked outright, with multiple-choice options available for these problems. The writing essay is optional and is scored separately from the rest of the exam. Scores for the SAT range from 400-1600 total, with the ERW and Math worth 200-800 each.
The ACT has four main sections to the test, each accounting for 25% of the overall score. The four sections are: English (grammar), Reading, Math, and Science Reasoning. There is an optional Essay test at the end. The Essay is a separate score from the rest of the test. One main difference between the SAT and ACT is the ACT allows for a calculator on all problems and there are no problems that have to be worked by hand (all are multiple choice). Students who are stronger in Reading than Math tend to score higher on an ACT than an SAT. Students who are more well rounded in their academic knowledge also tend to score higher on an ACT because they can use their science knowledge.
Colleges accept the SAT and ACT equally. Students can take the test repeatedly, with most students taking a standardized test two to three times. Students typically score higher on the second test because they are more familiar with the testing procedures and the test content the second time around. College will only look at the highest overall total score for the standardized test. Some colleges also super score, meaning they will combine section scores of multiple tests to get the highest total composite score.
What if I’m going to Waubonsee or JJC to get into a trade and don’t plan to go to college to earn a degree?
Taking the ACT or SAT is still important for these students. Waubonsee and JJC have certain requirements, particularly reading requirements, in order to earn a certificate in several of their technical trade programs. If a student doesn’t have a certain ACT or SAT score, the student will need to take a placement exam to qualify for admission into the program. Programs at WCC that require a certain reading score:
- Basic Auto Body Repair
- Advanced Auto Body Repair
- Basic Nurse Assistant Training
- Emergency Medical Tech-Basic
- Emergency Med Tech-Paramedic
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Operating Room Patient Care Tech
Join Kaplan's PSAT Prep Live | Posted 8/22/19
Kaplan's PSAT prep brings students live, interactive lessons on the key topics for the exam right before test day. Students can sign up for an all-access pass and then start studying with our free quizzes, prep plan, and practice test. Free live lessons start October 12. Stream must-know math, reading, and writing strategies with teachers, Boris and Stephanie. Save your seat: https://bit.ly/2ZmjVfg
Math SAT Practice Website Links | Posted 2/1/19
Juniors, here are links to practice for the math portion of the SAT. Please feel free to use these resources to help you get ready for the test: http://www.nchs18.org/_studentservices/_stuservtesting.html
Math SAT Practice Website Links | Posted 11/14/18
Juniors, here are some practice items for the math portion of the SAT. Please feel free to use the resources below to help you get ready for the test:
https://www.varsitytutors.com/sat-questions-of-the-day
https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-practice
https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-of-free-sat-math-practice
http://www.freesatmath.com/
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/math/calculator-permitted/1
https://www.khanacademy.org/coach/dashboard
Get Kaplan’s free SAT and ACT Study Guide | Posted 8/23/18
Have questions about the SAT and ACT? Kaplan’s new study guide is your go-to for information on both tests. Download it here for free: https://bit.ly/2BExi40
Practice SRT Resources | Posted 2/15/17
Juniors, here are some practice items for the upcoming SAT. This test replaced the PARCC and ALL juniors will test at NCHS. Please feel free to use the resources below to help you get ready for the test:
Downloadable Practice Tests: https://goo.gl/Txvhwc
Downloadable Practice Tests for Assistive Technology: https://goo.gl/TB5uwq
Downloadable MP3 Practice Tests: https://goo.gl/XML9sV
PSAT
Why take the PSAT?
There are actually TWO reasons.
- While most colleges now accept the ACT as well as the SAT, some coastal colleges still require the SAT. The PSAT is a practice SAT and provides those students who plan to take the SAT with a practice score. It gives a list of strengths and weaknesses so students know what areas need improvement before taking the actual SAT. The SAT is also a very different type of test, so students who familiarize themselves with the format by taking the PSAT usually score better on the SAT.
- All students who take the PSAT automatically qualify for consideration in the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The score on the PSAT puts students in the pool as a National Merit qualifier. Scores are first looked at to determine which students are qualifiers, then semi-finalists are chosen. From this group, the actual finalists for the National Merit Award are chosen. Students who qualify as a National Merit Semi-Finalist or Finalist are usually entitled to an increased scholarship award of $1,000-$2,000 above what they would normally receive at the university level. Sometimes there are scholarships reserved specifically for National Merit Qualifiers, Semi-Finalists, and Finalists. Many times these awards are also renewable for up to four years if the student maintains a certain GPA. Other awards may also be bestowed upon the student at the university level, such as receiving admission into an honors program based on National Merit status.
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