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| Date: From: Subject: | 10/6/2005 3:13:50 PM Home School Legal Defense Association HSLDA's Homeschooling Thru High School Newsletter -- October 2005 |
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#=====---------------------------------------------------------------- HSLDA's Homeschooling Thru High School Newsletter -- October 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friends, September is in our rearview mirror, and we're heading into October with all of you. The newly sharpened pencils and crisp new books with which you started out in September may all seem a little dull right now--but let's keep going with a prayer of thanksgiving for the new school year and the children we have the opportunity to train and teach! #=====---------- Ins and Outs of the SATs, ACTs, and PSATs The SAT and ACT tests are primarily used for college admission purposes, and if your child is college bound, these tests are important. Even if your child is not currently thinking about attending college, you may still want to consider having your child take either the SAT or ACT. Your child's post high school plans may change one day, and having an SAT or ACT score on file will facilitate the college entrance process. On the other hand, if you definitely know at this point that your child will never pursue college after high school, skip to the end of this email and check out the new additions to the Homeschooling Thru High School website. No matter what your child's after-high school plans, you'll find new listings posted on the site beneficial to everyone. PSAT For those interested in pursuing college, let's talk first about the PSAT/NMSQT: The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT is primarily taken by 11th grade students--those students having one more year of high school prior to graduation. The PSAT test is the qualifier for National Merit Scholarship consideration, and only 11th graders are considered for these scholarships. You may register your 10th grader to take the PSAT, but realize that taking the PSAT in the 10th grade year is basically for practice only. No consideration will be given to a 10th grader for qualifying for a National Merit Scholarship no matter how well the student does on the test. The PSAT test has three sections--Math, Verbal/Critical Reasoning, and Writing. The PSAT is given once each year--this year's test dates are October 12, 2005, or October 15, 2005, depending on the test date chosen by the school administering the test. The test maker is the College Board and its website provides all the necessary information regarding this test and how to register. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html See the special information page for homeschoolers taking the PSAT: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/reg/homeschool.html Unlike the SAT, you cannot register for the PSAT online. You must register your child directly with the local public or private high school that is administering the PSAT. (Testing sites are provided on the above website). Be aware that some local high schools order their PSAT tests very early so we strongly advise contacting the high school guidance office during the summer to ask whether your child can register to take the test. Some public schools may be hesitant to allow a homeschooler to sit for the test, but don't let that deter you. Keep calling schools in your area (both public and private) until you find a school that will accommodate your child. The PSAT test fee is $12, but schools may charge an additional fee for administrative costs over and above this cost. Note that the PSAT College Board website (link above) states that the test administrator will provide the state homeschool number for your student to enter as his "school code" on the test. Once you've registered for the PSAT with the local school where your student will take the test, be sure to ask the guidance office for a free PSAT Student Guide. The Student Guide provides test taking tips, practice problems with explanatory answers, and even a full length practice test that will enable your child to feel comfortable with the format and types of problems that he will encounter on the PSAT. SAT Now let's talk about the SAT--the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Again, the maker of the SAT is the College Board. Everything you could possibly want to know about the SAT can be found on the College Board website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html The SAT test is an aptitude and reasoning test used by most colleges for admission purposes. The SAT has Math and Verbal sections, as well as a Writing section that includes writing an essay. Recently revised in 2005, the SAT will be given on the following test dates: October 8, 2005, November 5, 2005, December 3, 2005, January 28, 2006, April 4, 2006, May 6, 2006, and June 3, 2006. Registration for these tests can be done online, and each test date has strict registration deadlines. Keep in mind that since most colleges are making admissions decisions in the spring of the school year, scores from the December test date are most likely the last scores that can be considered for students desiring to enter college as freshmen the following fall. The fee for the SAT is $41.50. Numerous testing locations are provided and include public and private high schools, as well as community college locations. There are no age limits to taking the SAT (although children younger than 13 may not register online; they would need to register through the mail). A student may take the SAT as many times as he desires. Most colleges continue to take the highest score from each section of the test (Math, Verbal and Writing) and add them together for a total test score even if the highest test score on a section was taken on different test dates. However, you should check with individual colleges to find out their policy for reviewing test scores. It is a good idea to take the test at least twice since most scores do rise on the second attempt simply because a student is more comfortable and knows what to expect the second time around. Your student may request that their SAT scores be sent to four colleges for free. Score reports for additional colleges may be requested for an additional fee. When applying to colleges and requesting SAT tests to be sent to a particular college, it's important to note that all SAT scores taken on different test dates are sent to the college. SAT preparation is essential in order to score well on the test. Numerous test books, CDs, and videos as well as SAT prep classes and individual SAT tutors are available. Check out the HSLDA high school website for helpful recommendations for preparing to take the SAT, PSAT or ACT tests: http://www.hslda.org/highschool/testing.asp#collegeprep Also, you should pick up from either a public school or library a SAT test preparation booklet that provides test-taking tips and practice problems. Don't confuse the SAT I general test, as explained above, with the SAT II Subject Tests. The SAT II Subject Tests are tests given in particular subjects that some colleges use for placement purposes. Check with an individual college regarding any requirements it may have regarding the need to take SAT II Subject Tests. See the College Board website for details regarding the SAT II Subject tests. www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees/calensubj.html ACT Lastly, the ACT is another test that colleges may use in the admissions process. In most cases, colleges will accept either SAT or ACT scores--however some Midwestern colleges prefer the ACT. Again, it would be wise to check with individual colleges to determine if they have a test preference. The ACT test measures knowledge in four subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The cost of the basic test is $29.50. The basic ACT does not include a writing section, but for an additional $14 you may register to take the ACT Writing test. The ACT website provides a listing of colleges that either recommend or require the writing section of the ACT. Test dates for the ACT are October 22, 2005, December 10, 2005, February 11, 2006, April 8, 2006 and June 10, 2006. (Again, register early, as there are strict registration deadlines.) Check out the ACT website for detailed registration and test information--www.act.org. A student may register to take the ACT beginning in the 6th grade, and may take it as many times as he chooses. A top score on the ACT is 36, with the average score around 22. When applying to colleges, you may direct that only specific ACT test scores be sent to the colleges that you designate. Although ACT test scores are never erased, you may request that only your highest scores be reported to colleges. Once your student takes the PSAT, SAT or ACT, be prepared for your mailbox to be stuffed with brochures, postcards, and information from various colleges. Data on students taking the tests are supplied to colleges, and colleges are interested in having their materials in the hands of your students. Take advantage of this free information from the colleges to pique your child's interest in investigating various college options. Both the College Board and ACT websites are excellent sources of information regarding colleges, recommended high school courses, majors, career choices, and other information useful for both parents and students. If your student is interested in a particular college, check that college's website to find out the average SAT or ACT score of admitted students. It will give your student an idea of the test scores that a college is looking for. (Realize though that much more than a test score goes into college admission decisions. Other important considerations are high school courses taken, application essays, extracurricular activities, leadership positions, etc.). We hope this information on the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests helps to answer questions you may have had regarding these tests. As always, we are available to chat with HSLDA members about any specific questions you may have regarding college entrance tests. Happy testing! Looking ahead to November, we'll take a look at transcripts, evaluating credits, and calculating GPAs. Know that we pray for you as you do the tough but grand work of teaching your high schooler at home. Joy to you, Becky and Diane HSLDA High School Coordinators #=====---------- Send your ideas! Have a topic for a future high school email newsletter? Send your idea to highschool@hslda.org! #=====---------- What's new on the Homeschooling Thru High School website? Helpful Recommended Reading list providing "must haves" as you teach high school at home http://www.hslda.org/highschool/reading.asp Additional curriculum providers and a new section on Current Events http://www.hslda.org/highschool/curriculum.asp Additional competitions and awards open to homeschoolers http://www.hslda.org/highschool/beyondacademics.asp #=====---------- HSLDA has extended its offer for the SAT Prep CD Due to great demand, HSLDA has extended its offer for the SAT Prep CD (regularly priced at $199.95, now available to members for just $9.95 to cover shipping and handling). - Get your copy today! http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=2558 - Not a member yet? You can join today! http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=2559 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> There may be no such thing as a free lunch... ...but there is a way to get a free membership! Through our Three-for-Free program, you can get a free one-year renewal for simply referring three of your homeschooling friends into membership with HSLDA. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=2078 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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