1. Taking the SAT/ACT and
Developing a Game Plan.
Lancaster Co. School
Dist.
By Pamela Shaw
12/03/12 1

2. Why do we take the SAT?
The SAT is the most publicized
test in America.
It’s the most commonly used
test by colleges and
universities in the Southeast
and on the West Coast.
Money! ( $4,000 + )
It is a big determiner in where
you can go to school.
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3. Why do we take the SAT?
Many college admission officers use
SAT scores to help them access a
student’s academic preparedness
for college. However, the most
important factor in the admissions
process is your child’s high school
transcript. Both grades and the
rigor of courses are considered. SAT
scores are intended to supplement
your child’s record along with other
information such as extracurricular
activities and letters of
recommendations.
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4. Why do we take the SAT?
Colleges want to see a complete
picture of you. They pay attention
to your life inside the classroom as
well as outside of the classroom.
Your extracurricular activities reveal
a great deal about you, such as
your interests, whether you can
manage your priorities and
maintain a long-term commitment,
what diversity you’d bring to the
student body, and how you’ve
made a contribution to society.
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5. When do we offer the SAT?
The SAT is offered seven times a
year. You can take the SAT at
Lancaster High School in October,
November, March, and May. If you
would like to take the test in
December, January, or June you will
have to travel to another school
where the SAT is being offered.
Cost $47.00
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6. What are the totals?
Total length of the New SAT is
3 hours and 45 minutes.
Total possible score is 2400 points.
National average will be around 1500
points.
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7. How to make a good score?
Take the SAT prep class your Sopmore
year.
Take the PSAT twice. (9th ,10th ,11th)
Practice, practice, practice!
Know the rules.
Section broken into thirds.
+1 for correct answers and -.25 for wrong.
Have a game plan!
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8. Game Plan
Explore the Advanced Placement Program
(Try out college-level work, improve your
abilities, and with good grades could
receive college credit)
Sign up for the PSAT (By taking it, you’ll
receive a score report to help you improve
your performance)
Participate in school activities or volunteer
work (Extracurricular activities help
develop time-management skills)
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9. How Can Students and Schools Acquire
MyRoad Accounts?
PSAT/NMSQT®
All high school students who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive free MyRoad accounts.
These accounts will last for the entirety of their high school careers. Schools that
administer the PSAT/NMSQT also receive free MyRoad educator access. Visit
www.collegeboard.com/counselors/psat for more information.
CollegeEd®
All students* who participate in CollegeEd (for any of the editions from 7 th to 12th grades)
receive free MyRoad accounts. These accounts will last up to the end of the school year.
Schools that purchase CollegeEd also receive free MyRoad educator access that will last
up to the end of the school year. For pricing/ordering information: email us at
collegeedinfo@collegeboard.org .
School-Wide Site Subscription
Schools or districts may purchase MyRoad site subscriptions to provide access to ALL
their students*. For pricing/ordering information: email us at myroad@collegeboard.org
.
Individual Student Subscriptions
Students* may also purchase their own individual subscriptions for $19.95. These
accounts last for one year. The annual renewal fee is $16.95. To order, go to
www.myroad.com and click Sign Up Today.
* Note: Only students who are 13 and older may create MyRoad accounts.
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10. myroaduser
**********
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11. A10101010Z
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12. When to start taking the test?
You should take the SAT prep class as a
sophomore.
You should also start testing toward the
end of your sophomore year.
You should try to have everything
wrapped up before your senior year.
You could possibly apply for early
admissions.
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13. What do we mean by having a
game plan?
Start by doing some sort of interest
survey. (SCOIS, KUDER, Explore Test)
Make a list of colleges, technical school, or
other institutions that offer what you are
interested in. (long list)
Start researching these institutions and
find out all you can. Scholarships,
programs of study, partner institutions,
and so on.
Over your 9th and 10th grade years try to
setup visits to these institutions.
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14. Game Plan (cont.)
Early on you need to buy some SAT
practice books or software to work with
your student at home. Just play with the
stuff, do not make it a chore.
MAKE SURE YOU SIGN UP FOR SAT PREP
DURING YOUR SOPHMORE YEAR !!!!!!
Make sure you are taking the proper
program of study and that you are
applying yourself. (Transcript/ GPA)
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15. Game planning (cont.)
By taking SAT prep, students can expect a
up to a 200 point increase in score.
Early admission to colleges if qualifying
score is met.
Jumpstart application process.
Chance to practice strategies and get
feedback.
College search and visits.
Fill out application.
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16. Game plan (cont.)
Learn rules of SAT and ACT.
Practice with interviewing.
Find scholarships.
Find program of study based on
results of a personality test.
Practice writing essays.
Big test taking strategies that can be
used for other tests.
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