Testing Information
Differences Between ACT & SAT
As a high school student, you have many different options for standardized testing. We have listed below some information such as why take the specific test, registration dates, scoring, and what you can do with the results. If you have further questions, please make an appointment to see your school counselor at Shawnee Mission West.
Types of Standardized Tests
ACT- National Testing
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Saturday, June 8, 2019 . **not offered at SM West
Saturday, July 13, 2019 **not offered at SM West
You will need to bring a photo id, ACT admission ticket, number 2 pencils, calculator, any snacks for the break, and wear layers to stay comfortable during testing.
ACT REGISTRATION
Students must register for ACT on their website directly. www.act.org To do this it is best to set aside about 40 minutes the first time you are registering for a test. It is helpful to have an unofficial transcript (counseling office) with you to enter your classes and grades you had in high school.
COST - The ACT is $50.50 which includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if you provide the codes when you register). The ACT with Writing is $67.00. The late registration fee is $30.00 so please take note of the registration deadlines. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you can get up to TWO ACT waivers during your high school career. You will need to see your school counselor to get the wavier from them.
| Test Dates | Registration Deadline | Late Registration** |
|---|---|---|
|
Saturday, September 8, 2018 |
August 10, 2018 | August 26,2 018 |
| Saturday, October 27, 2018 | September 28, 2018 | October 14, 2018 |
| Saturday, December 8, 2018 | November 2, 2018 | November 19, 2018 |
| Saturday, February 9, 2019 | January 11, 2019 | January 18, 2019 |
| Saturday, April 13, 2019 | March 8, 2019 | March 25, 2019 |
| Saturday, June 8, 2019 | May 3, 2019 | May 20, 2019 |
| Saturday, July 13, 2019 | June 14, 2019 | June 24, 2019 |
ACT BREAKDOWN
The ACT is an exam used by most colleges and universities to make a decision about admission and sometimes a scholarship criteria. It is a paper and pencil test that is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 40 minutes if you are taking the ACT with writing). There are four sections to the ACT:
| Section | Number of Questions | Content/Skills Covered |
|---|---|---|
|
English |
75 questions in 45 minutes |
grammar & usage, punctuation, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style |
| Math |
60 questions in 60 minutes |
pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry |
| Reading | 40 questions in 35 minutes | reading comprehension of what is directly stated or implied |
| Science | 40 questions in 35 minutes |
Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving |
| Writing (Optional) | 1 essay in 40 minutes | essay prompt |
ACT TEST PREP
FREE Practice ACT Exam Booklet
Power Prep ACT Test Prep at Shawnee Mission West (March 29th)
Friday, March 29th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm Shawnee Mission West will host a Power Prep ACT in our Library. You need to register for this and pay the $65.00 on their website at https://powerprepinc.com/shawnee-mission-west/
FREE ACT Academy
ACT Academy is a new personalized online practice for the ACT. You can register for this free resource at https://academy.act.org/
Finding an ACT Tutor
If you are looking for an individual tutor, you can utilize Wyzant website to connect to a tutor for ACT in general or in a specific subject area of the ACT. Check out their website at https://www.wyzant.com/
SAT- National Testing
SAT REGISTRATION
Students must register for SAT on their website directly. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register To do this it is best to set aside about 40 minutes the first time you are registering for a test. It is helpful to have an unofficial transcript (counseling office) with you to enter your classes and grades you had in high school.
COST - The SAT is $47.50 and the SAT with ESSAY for $64.50. Some colleges and university will request that you take the SAT SUBJECT Tests. There are actual Subjects you choose to test in and SAT reports your scores to the college/university. Subject Test Registration is $26 then they charge you $22 per test and you can take up to three subject tests. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you can get up to TWO ACT waivers during your high school career. You will need to see your school counselor to get the wavier from them.
| SAT Testing Dates | Registration Deadline | Late Registration |
|---|---|---|
| August 25, 2018 | July 27, 2018 | August 15, 2018 |
| October 6, 2018 | September 7, 2018 | September 26, 2018 |
| November 3, 2018 | October 5, 2018 | October 24, 2018 |
| December 1, 2018 | November 2, 2018 | November 20, 2019 |
| March 9, 2019 | February 8, 2019 | February 27, 2019 |
| May 4, 2019 | April 5, 2019 | April 24, 2019 |
| June 1, 2019 | May 3, 2019 | May 22, 2019 |
SAT BREAKDOWN
SAT has some great interactive videos and study guides on their website at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test . The test itself is 3 hours. If you take the optional essay it is an additional 50 minutes.
| Sub Section | Total Testing Time & Breakdown | Content/Skills Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 65 Minutes for 52 questions | reading and vocabulary in context |
| Writing | 35 Minutes for 44 questions | grammar and usage |
| Math w/Calculator | 55 Minutes for Math WITH Calculator (58 total questions in math together) | heart of algebra, problem solving & data analysis, passport to advanced math, additional topics (geometry, trigonometry and pre-calculus) |
| Math w/out Calculator | 25 Minutes for Math WITHOUT Calculator (58 total questions in math together) | heart of algebra, problem solving & data analysis, passport to advanced math, additional topics (geometry, trigonometry and pre-calculus) |
| OPTIONAL ESSAY | 50 Minutes | Essay Prompt |
PSAT
PSAT
The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT® (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a preparatory version of the SAT exam. You can only take the PSAT once per year, and most students take the test in both 10th and 11th grade. If you earn a high score on the PSAT your junior year, you could qualify to receive a National Merit Scholarship—$180 million dollars in merit scholarships are awarded to students each year! Testing your skills in reading, writing, and math, the PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes long. Unlike the SAT, the highest score possible on the PSAT is 1520.
You can check out more detailed information and online practice tests at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
SMW October 10th - JUNIORS
PSAT/NMSQT JUNIORS AT SMW:
ACT PRACTICE: Any junior student who does not register for the PSAT will take a practice ACT test that morning at no cost. All juniors need to report to school on this day at the regular time (7:40 am). Testing will be completed at 12:15 when students can eat lunch on campus. The buses will leave at 1:10 pm for early dismissal.
PSAT SOPHOMORES AT SMW:
10th graders will automatically take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 10th. They do not have to do anything for this test except show up on test day ready for a Practice SAT.
October 10th SMW Testing Day
Shawnee Mission West Seniors:
Shawnee Mission West Juniors:
Juniors may register and pay ($19) to take the PSAT/NMSQT. Register at the following website: www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/172773. Registration materials were posted in the Class of 2020 Google Classroom in mid-September. The regular registration deadline is September 28. There will be a late fee through Friday, October 5, or until all spots are filled.
Any junior student who does not register for the PSAT will take a practice ACT test that morning at no cost. All juniors need to report to school on this day at the regular time (7:40 am). Testing will be completed at 12:15 when students can eat lunch on campus. The buses will leave at 1:10 pm for early dismissal.
Shawnee Mission West Sophomores:
All sophomores will take the PSAT test. Students do not need to pre-register for this and there is no cost for this test. All sophomores need to report to school on this day at the regular time (7:40 am). Testing will be completed at 12:15 when students can eat lunch on campus. The buses will leave at 1:10 pm for early dismissal.
Shawnee Mission West Freshmen:
All freshmen will participate in College & Career Readiness activities on the morning of October 10th. Students will report to their Link Crew seminar class at the beginning of the day. They will then participate in several activities: motivational speaker on Top 20, speaker on anti-bullying, and Xello career activities. All freshmen need to report to school on this day at the regular time (7:40 am). Classes will be dismissed at 12:15 when students can eat lunch on campus. The buses will leave at 1:10 pm for early dismissal.
Practice ACT
Through the state of Kansas, Juniors will have the opportunity to choose to take an official ACT in February 2019. Your student must be classified as a Junior within Skyward to participate in this program. While we were scheduled to take it on Wednesday, February 20th, we did not have school due to weather conditions.
We are rescheduled to take this during school on
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 at 7:30am
Your student will need to bring a Photo ID, Number 2 pencils, and a calculator (approved by ACT).
ACT Approved Calculator List located HERE.
Students classified as JUNIORS can sign up in the counseling office by
Monday, March 4th at noon if they did not sign up back in the fall.
AP
The Advanced Placement Program® (AP) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school.
The program consists of college-level courses developed by the AP Program that high schools can choose to offer, and corresponding exams that are administered once a year.
Fast Facts
- There are 38 AP courses in seven subject categories.
- Each AP course is modeled on a comparable introductory college course in the subject. Learn how AP courses are developed.
- Each course culminates in a standardized college-level assessment, or AP Exam.
- AP Exams are given in May each year at testing locations all over the world.
- Schools must be authorized by the AP Course Audit to offer approved AP courses and use the AP designation.
Benefits
Taking AP courses and exams can help students:
- Stand out on college applications. AP courses on a student’s transcript shows that they’ve challenged themselves with the most rigorous courses available to them. And success on an AP Exam shows that they’re ready for college-level coursework.
- Earn college credit and/or skip introductory courses in college. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States—as well as many institutions in more than 100 other countries—grant students credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam scores. Search credit policies by college.
2019 TESTING WINDOW STARTS ON Monday, May 6th through Friday, May 17th.
Mr. Tommie Davis is our AP Testing Coordinator at Shawnee Mission West. He will be updating this page with registration information, fees, and important reminders in the late fall. Until that time you can see the schedule for specific tests at https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/exam-dates-and-fees