Testing for College Preparedness and Entrance
The Importance of Testing
Assessment has always been a part of education. Whether attempting to evaluate a student for an upcoming opportunity or seeking to determine a student’s level of mastery of what has already been taught, testing is necessary to see where the student is in his/her knowledge or skill level on any given topic. Some testing is used as a tool to prepare for the future. Such is the case with the PSAT/NMSQT, ASVAB, ACT, and College Board SAT. These assessments help determine a student’s readiness for post-high school education and career placement. Other assessments measure where the student should be at the moment, such as the Spring term Stanford Achievement Tests.
Here are some excellent articles about the college qualification tests.
The ACT: Here’s How Francis Howell Central Stacked Up – FHC Today
What Does the SAT Measure? – The Washington Post
What is a CEEB code?
Some university applications will require a College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) code entry for any high school or college previously attended. A CEEB code identifies any U.S. high school and college. When taking any college entrance exam or preparatory college entrance exams (such as the ACT, EXPLORE, PLAN, or College Board SAT), the CEEB code will be needed.
First Coast Christian School’s CEEB code is 100767.
ACT & SAT (College Board) Information
To find information on either the ACT or College Board SAT tests, please click on the following links:
College Board SAT Test Dates & Fees
The following video walks through the SAT score report you receive from College Board. The score report can be accessed through your College Board account at https://www.collegeboard.org/.
PSAT/NMSQT
All 11th grade students participate in the PSAT test on the FCCS Fall Testing Day. Students will be monitored by homeroom teachers during the test that will take slightly over three and a half hours. The PSAT test is designed as a practice for the college SAT assessment test. It is designed for juniors to help them plan for college. This is the only official practice College Board SAT test. The test will identify strengths and weaknesses in preparation for college admissions. Taking the PSAT is also the ONLY way students may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program. (All dual enrollment juniors who have a Wednesday morning class at FSCJ need to speak to their teachers about what they will be missing for this required FCCS activity.)
The results of this test will help students and parents make wise course choices during the high school years. We invite you to learn more by visiting the PSAT website.
Those students who took the PSAT this past October will benefit from reviewing Using My PSAT-NMSQT Scores for College Readiness in order to understand their scores.
ASVAB
In January of each school year, we have the ASVAB Career Exploration test administered to our 11th grade students. The ASVAB was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program was developed with input from a panel of career development experts and designed to encourage students to increase their level of self-knowledge and to understand how that information could be linked to civilian and military occupational characteristics.
The ASVAB Program recently was re-designed to be helpful to virtually all students, whether they are planning on immediate employment after high school in civilian or military occupations, or further education at a university, community college, or vocational institution.
When the results return to the school, we hold a meeting with the juniors to review the results.
THE EIGHT ASVAB TEST AREAS ARE…
- General Science – A 25-item test measuring knowledge of life science, earth and space science, and physical science
- Arithmetic Reasoning – A 30-item test measuring ability to solve basic arithmetic word problems
- Word Knowledge – A 35-item test measuring ability to understand the meaning of words through synonyms
- Paragraph Comprehension – A 15-item test measuring ability to obtain information from written material
- Mathematics Knowledge – A 25-item test measuring knowledge of mathematical concepts and applications
- Electronics Information – A 20-item test measuring knowledge of electrical current, circuits, devices, and electronic systems
- Auto and Shop Information – A 25-item test measuring knowledge of automotive maintenance and repair, and wood and metal shop practices
- Mechanical Comprehension – A 25-item test measuring knowledge of the principles of mechanical devices, structural support, and properties of materials.
Free Test Prep on the Internet
The skills and abilities measured by college entrance examinations are accomplished over a long period of time through academic courses and intensive study and reading. Short-term drill therefore has little to no effect. However, practicing sample test items can familiarize you with the test to make you feel more relaxed as you take it. Understanding how the test is constructed and learning strategies based on test construction can also boost your confidence.
Test preparation booklets with practice tests are available in the FCCS guidance office for both the SAT and the ACT. Additional books and software programs are available for use at the school or can be purchased in local bookstores. See your school counselor for details.
Go to any of the sites below to prepare or to improve your test scores. Try them all because you never know whose system will work best for you.
