Getting Extra Time on the SAT or ACT (for Students with Learning Disabilities)

Test Accommodation:: What are they? Do I qualify? How do I get them?

Imagine that you are about to take a test that will have a major impact on the opportunities that are available to you in the future. You made sure to get plenty of sleep the night before, had a big (but not too big) breakfast, had your parents drive you to the testing center to avoid any stressful fender-benders while parking, and have made dozens of other choices in the days and weeks leading up to this moment to give you the best chance possible to succeed. The proctor stands at the front of the class and tells you that you may begin, so you open the test booklet to the first page and work feverishly for the next sixty-five minutes, at which point the proctor tells you that time for the first section is up. You look down at your paper and note, with alarm, that you have barely been able to answer half of the questions in the section.

The above experience is not as rare as it should be. Preparing for and taking standardized tests are harrowing experiences for any student, but, to a student with special needs, they can be difficult to the point of being unfair. To help level the playing field, both the SAT and ACT offer accommodations to students with special needs to ensure that they are on an even footing with their peers. It is essential for students who have special accommodations in their classes at school to also seek out accommodations for these standardized tests.

What are accommodations?

Accommodations are special considerations afforded to students with documented disabilities. The most common accommodation for both the SAT and ACT is extended time (either 1.5 time or double time). However, both the SAT and ACT are able offer other types of accommodations to students with disabilities. This includes offering tests in braille, a reader for students with visual processing issues, a test with larger text, or any number of other accommodations to meet the needs of each student.

Are there any differences between the SAT and ACT accommodations?

While both the SAT and ACT offer similar accommodations for students with special needs, there are two major differences worth noting. First, for extended time on the SAT, students receive the extended time by section. Meaning, the reading section, which is normally 65 minutes long, would be extended to 92.5 minutes for a 1.5 time test. On the other hand, the ACT manages extended time by giving students an overall allotment of time that they can use however they like. For example, a student with 1.5 time on the ACT would be given five hours to complete the English, math, reading, and science sections, divvying up the time as they saw fit rather than simply extending the length of each section. This is an important distinction that should be considered by students who have extended time and difficulty in one or two sections but not others, as the ACT would allow them to conceivably spend more than 1.5 time on sections that give them difficulty while moving through the other sections in normal time.

The second difference is that it is possible for students with accommodations on the ACT to take the test over multiple days. If a student chooses (and qualifies for) this option they would need to complete the sections in 1.5 time rather than getting the bulk time discussed earlier, but it is often a good option for students who have difficulty with the endurance required to take the test in one sitting.

Do I qualify for accommodations?

The easiest way to determine whether a student would likely qualify for accommodations on the SAT or ACT is whether or not the student has been diagnosed with a learning difference, has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan at school, and already uses the accommodations they are seeking at school. If so, the student should be able to reach out to the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Coordinator at their school to start the process of applying for accomodations for the SAT and/or ACT. If not, then meeting with the SSD Coordinator is a good first step to discuss possible options to have the student evaluated for learning differences.

How can I request accommodations?

The SSD Coordinator at the student’s school would be able to walk the student through the process of applying for accommodations. However, both College Board and ACT have detailed pages outlining the process.

Summary

While it will take time to apply for accommodations, it will be time well spent. Standardized tests tend to sacrifice accurately evaluating students with unique circumstances in exchange for efficiency, and accommodations are a way to put students with special needs on an even footing with their peers. However, they can only be of help to students who know they exist and how to get them.

Article Contributed by David Massey, Menlo Park Office Director for AJ Tutoring.

SAT Subject Tests // What are they? Why do I need them?

With the recent changes in the SAT (and to a lesser extent, the ACT), college admissions offices have been redefining guidelines for standardized test scores, with many schools no longer requiring applicants to submit SAT Subject Test scores. So what should a sophomore or junior do with that information? Are SAT Subject Tests even necessary anymore? Should you be registering for SAT Subject Tests this year?  Today, we’ll be tackling some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding these exams. Let’s start off with some basic information.

What are SAT Subject Tests?

Your parents may have known them as Achievement Tests. Your much older siblings may have called them SAT II tests. But regardless of their changing name, the 20 different SAT Subject Tests remain hour-long, multiple-choice, content-based exams designed for students who have completed the honors level of that particular subject. For example, a student who has completed Honors Biology at school may consider taking the Biology SAT (unless you’ll take AP Biology later—see below).

SAT Subject Tests are all scored out of 800, and they range in subjects as diverse as Modern Hebrew to Chemistry. As you might imagine, there are many language exams offered (nine total), and most of the language exams have both a listening portion and a reading portion.

When are they offered?

The most popular SAT Subject Tests are offered six times a year—on the same dates that the SAT is offered (Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec, May, June), so they may not be taken on the same date as the SAT. Many of the less popular tests, including ones like World History, Latin, or Japanese are offered fewer times a year. For current dates, check this link. Students should generally take them in either May or June, at the end of the academic year, to maximize their in-class preparation.

Do I need to take SAT Subject Tests to get into college? 

Many schools are no longer requiring the submission of SAT Subject Tests, but what does this mean for applicants? Only a handful of schools currently require the submission of SAT Subject Test scores, including Carnegie Mellon and Harvey Mudd. Some colleges, like Tufts or Wellesley, require either the submission of ACT scores OR the SAT with two different SAT Subject Test scores. Other schools “strongly recommend” the submission of these scores (e.g., Duke and Georgetown).

Our suggestion? If you are targeting a top-50 university or liberal arts college, you should plan on taking at least two different SAT Subject Tests. Although they are not a required element of your application, they could give further proof of your readiness to take on college-level material, particularly in your intended major, and perhaps balance out a lower grade in that subject on your transcript.

Additionally, SAT Subject Tests may give you some more options come application season. Some schools, such as NYU, Brandeis University, and the University of Rochester, are allowing students to submit SAT Subject Test scores in lieu of SAT or ACT scores.

Which ones should I take?

Our general advice for all students is to take the Math Level 2 SAT. Not only is higher level math critical to success in STEM fields, selective colleges also want all of their admitted students to be proficient in math.

After Math Level 2, students should be taking exams in the subject(s) of their academic interest. If you’re hoping to become a social science major, take the World History or the U.S. History exam. If you’re a prospective English major, signing up for the Literature SAT makes sense. If you’re going to be a Chemical Engineer when you grow up, definitely take the Chemistry SAT (and maybe even the Physics SAT).

If you’re taking an AP course, you may want to take the corresponding SAT Subject Test since you’re probably studying for the AP exam in May anyway. For example, you may want to take the World History SAT in June if you’re enrolled in AP World History, even if you have no intention of becoming a history major—you are already studying the subject; you might as well take two tests!

What kinds of scores should I aim for?

Broadly speaking, if the test is in your area of potential major and you are applying to a very selective school, you should be aiming for a 750+ on that particular exam. However, our best advice to you is to look at the percentiles. Keep in mind that many native speakers take the language exams. For example, a score of 790 out of 800 sounds very impressive. But if you earned that result on the Korean SAT, you’d only be testing higher than 42% of all test takers (for the Chinese exam, a score of 790 means that you’re only in the 48th percentile—the bottom half of all test takers!). This is why it’s often not worth it to take the Chinese or Korean SAT since high scores do not mean much in terms of percentiles.

Summary

The bottom line is that SAT Subject Tests are an important but not critical part of your college application.  Like AP exams, they are another way for admissions offices to assess your mastery of certain subjects using a standardized test. Applicants to the top colleges should definitely consider taking these exams, but maintaining a high GPA and earning a great SAT or ACT score will always take precedence.

New SAT vs. New ACT: 4 Major Changes You Must Know

My usual advice to students trying to decide between ACT and SAT has gone something like this: SAT and ACT are equal in college admissions. Colleges do not prefer one over the other. As you’re approaching junior year, take a practice test for both without any preparation, and make the decision based on your stronger score. Or, if the scores are similar, go with the test that seems more comfortable to you.

I tell students that SAT questions tend to be tricky. Part of doing well on SAT requires students to interpret the questions correctly. On the other hand, ACT is more straightforward without the tricky questions. ACT calls for a quicker pace when compared to the relatively slow, methodical approach required by the SAT. Both tests cover math, reading comprehension, and writing. ACT also includes a science section that isn’t about any particular field of science but basic scientific principles, like the scientific method.

With ACT’s increasing popularity as the more accessible option to SAT, College Board has unveiled a new version of the SAT in March 2016 that is, well, more like the ACT. ACT has also instrumented some changes to its test in 2015. What do these changes mean for students?

1. How is the new SAT more like the ACT?

The new SAT is designed to be more closely aligned with standard high school curriculum, specifically Common Core. For example, roughly 60% of the math section is now comprised of algebra and data analysis, with only 10% dedicated to advanced math topics like geometry and trigonometry. This change balances the new policy of no calculators allowed for most of the SAT math section.

In the reading section, the obscure vocabulary that SAT is infamous for has been replaced with what College Board terms as “high utility” vocabulary, words commonly used across many disciplines. Students answer questions about vocabulary used in context of a passage, as opposed to fill in the blank.

And, no longer will students be penalized for a wrong answer on SAT with a 0.25 deduction, making guessing on the SAT a better bet. Now, for both tests, it’s always better to guess rather than leave an answer blank.

More here on how the SAT and ACT sections have changed.

2. Is the essay really optional?

Yes and no. The new SAT essay is technically optional now, just like the ACT. And, the scoring for the SAT essay is now a separate score that doesn’t factor into your overall SAT score, also just like the ACT.

The new SAT essay score includes three scores, each between 2 and 8, for Reading, Analysis, and Writing. The ACT score has also changed, now including 4 scores, each between 2 and 12, on Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions.

So, does that mean that students don’t have to take the writing test? It’s true that not all colleges require the writing test, but there are so many that do, such as the University of California, that it’s usually in a student’s best interest to opt for the writing test. For sample prompts and essays, see here for ACT and here for SAT.

3. What is a strong SAT score?

Ultimately, a strong SAT or ACT score is your best score. Ask yourself: is this my personal best? If the answer is yes, your time would probably be better spent on your academics and pursuing meaningful activities outside of class than taking SAT or ACT again and again.

If you think you can improve on your last SAT or ACT score, then you haven’t reached your strongest score. That is, until you’ve reached the zone where there isn’t a statistical difference in admit rates. Typically, for ACT, the sweet spot is roughly in the 35-36 range, while for the previous version of the SAT, it was roughly 2300 and above.

Now that SAT is reverting back to a 1600 scale, the “don’t take another SAT” score is about 1530 and above. See here for a detailed breakdown on the most competitive SAT scores.

4. What do I need to know about the new version of the ACT?

The changes for ACT are more subtle than SAT’s overhaul. The two main changes have to do with the new “Enhanced ACT Writing Test” and what’s called paired passages in the ACT reading section.

The ACT writing test not only includes a new essay scoring system, as mentioned above, but a more complex essay prompt. Students are not just asked to take a position, but to analyze multiple positions. And, the prompt is much more open-ended. Clearly, the new ACT essay requires students to practice the new format. More here about how to prepare.

The other ACT change worth mentioning is the addition of one set of paired passages to the reading section. Essentially, students read two passages before answering questions that involve analyzing the information from both passages. Although this change is not as dramatic as the changes to the writing section, students should familiarize themselves with this new reading format. See here.

With the new SAT and ACT formats, how will my advice to students change? Not as much as you might think. The SAT still includes more challenging vocabulary than ACT and allows for more time per question. So, ACT remains the more accessible yet faster-paced test.

Regardless of which test, you decide to go with, I do recommend that you pick either SAT or ACT, as opposed to doing both. High school students have enough to contend with these days without preparing for an extra exam. Despite the trend in recent years of students who take both exams, the goal is for you to achieve your personal best on either SAT or ACT.

-Azure Brown

Why Reading More Will Help You Reach Your Dream College

There are so many good reasons for you to read outside what is assigned by teachers and posted on your friends' Tumblr pages. Reading deepens your understanding of the world and how you fit into it. A long term reading habit benefits writing skills and correlates with higher scores on standardized tests like SAT. Not to mention that reading comes in handy in all types of social situations by supplying you with interesting conversation topics. If nothing else, some colleges want to know what you’ve been reading regularly and for fun. Columbia, Princeton and USC (among others) all provide space on their application to share with them what you read. Surely an application to Princeton calls for more than Harry Potter and Reddit.

Here are seven kinds of reading recommended for every high school student.

1. Think Local

Via blog, free weekly, or local paper, reading local news is critical if you want to effect positive change in the world, and there's no better place to start than your own backyard. Understanding local problems as well as the solutions community leaders are working on can also inspire meaningful capstone projects.

2. Stay Current

You can fight the "I grew up in a bubble" mentality by increasing your understanding of regional, national, and international events. This can be accomplished by reading a major newspaper or news magazine regularly. LA Times, Washington Post, Time and The Week are examples of good options.

3. Read Stories

There's much to be gained from fiction. You can learn about racial injustice in the Deep South during the Depression era, but you will gain a new understanding of what it was like to live in that period by reading To Kill a Mockingbird and other fictional accounts.  That's not to say that you should only read historical novels - fiction in all genres offers something to be learned, from the personal to the political. In Ralph Waldo Emerson's words: "Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures." Check here for recommended titles.

4. Learn from Others

As you prepare to make significant life decisions as an adult, there's never a better time to read biographies. Not only does learning about other people's life experiences increase your capacity for empathy, thinking about choices people make and where those choices take them provides valuable life lessons. Biography options here and here.

5. Be Socially Responsible

If you already use social media, you can easily follow at least one organization that is doing good work for a social cause of choice. Students who love the ocean or want to study marine science can follow Save Our Shores. Students concerned about hunger can follow No Kid Hungry or The Hunger Site. The possibilities go on and on.

6. Struggle to Understand

It’s worthwhile to read an online professional or scholarly journal related to an industry or field of your preference. You can expect this type of reading to be slow, requiring the decoding of unfamiliar vocabulary. It's likely you will not understand every point. However, the laborious reading will bring with it an expanded vocabulary and knowledge you might build from to pursue future goals. Lists of journals are here and here.

7. Try Something New

It’s advisable that you read a nonfiction book to learn about something new once in a while, regardless of how relevant it may seem to your goals. Expanding your knowledge base helps you develop intellectually and make interesting connections between different concepts. Browsing Amazon or the New York Times Best Seller List are great ways to find something to read "just because."

Adding more reading to your perhaps tight schedule might seem challenging. At the very least, you can try reading news an hour a week. You can aim to read one article per month from a professional or scholarly journal. You can check the socially-responsible social media from time to time. And each year, you can choose three books - fiction, biography, and other nonfiction - to read during school breaks. Over time, your reading efforts will pay off in multiple ways.

Best SAT Score BOOSTING Tip: READ, READ, READ

There is one immutable truth in my time working with students. The students who read, score highest on the SAT. Of course reading doesn't necessarily help on the math section. But the students who read well (finish books, peruse good periodicals and are just curious) score well on the English portions of the test and tend to have the discipline to prepare adequately for the math section. My advice to you this summer.... READ.

I wish I read more when I was in junior high and high school. Reading only caught on for me once I got to college. I started reading John Grisham and Mitch Albom and slowly progressed to more philosophical things like Henri Nouwen and Freidrich Nietzsche. I also read Andre Agassi's autobiography recently. CRAZY stuff; I couldn't believe his wig was going to fly off during the 1990 French Open finals! Whatever it is, start a plan and get reading!

A few tips for creating a good reading list:

• Continue reading in genres you like (sci-fi, historical fiction, etc.), but read books that are more challenging with vocabulary, syntax and style. How do you find them? Tip: AMAZON.

• Read good periodicals like the New York Times, The New Yorker Magazine and The Atlantic. Read up on what's going on in the world. The new SAT will test more on critical thinking and historical contexts. You'll be better prepared by understanding the problems in our world and how people are solving those problems. 

• Set goals! At last two articles a day! At least three books a semester! Whatever it is, set a goal and shoot for it. 

Need more help putting together a good reading plan? Contact us here at ILUMIN! Read on!

COLLEGE LISTS: SCHOOLS THAT ARE TEST OPTIONAL

A lot of you are considering what schools to apply for next year. A few of you have your sights set on the big guns: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc. But there are a bunch of you out there that may feel held back by poor test scores. You worked hard, have decent grades and good extracurriculars, but you just don't do well on tests. Don't worry, it happens to a lot of us. You're not alone!

There's a growing number of (good) schools that are electing to be test optional. Here are a few really awesome schools that do NOT require standardized tests:

Bowdoin College - GREAT school and super selective. Ranked 4th on US News National Liberal Arts list. Small classes and students love their professors. You have to be stellar to apply, but at least you don't need to send in your test scores.

George Mason University - In 2009, US News ranked GMU the #1 ranked up and coming college. Great for engineering and business (even if you bombed it on the SAT Math 2).

Pitzer College - Part of the Claremont Colleges. You can take classes and take part in any activities throughout the Claremont network of schools (yes, that includes Pomona College and Harvey Mudd). AND nobody needs to know that you're not great with the SAT.

I'll list out a few more schools in another post. Feel free to contact us with any questions or post a comment below!