Sophomore-year tasks
* Continue taking courses to prepare you for college.
* Continue to learn about your strengths.
* Continue to work on the skills that are hard for you to do.
* Continue to add to your “Going To College” portfolio.
* Add to your understanding and use of learning strategies to help you access the same course work as your peers.
* Participate in extracurricular activities, hobbies and work experiences.
* Identify interests, aptitudes, values and opportunities related to occupations in which you are interested.
* Meet with your career or guidance counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
* Register and take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in the fall.
* Research how to get accommodations for the PSAT.
* Speak with college representatives that visit your high school and are at college fairs.
* Visit college campuses and talk to college students about their campus experiences.
* Continue to save for college and investigate funding sources.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
High School "To Do" List - Freshmen
Get to ‘doing’
Check out the following list of recommended “To Dos” to help you plan and prepare for college. Pick the “To Do” items that are most applicable to you and then consider putting them on a calendar or printing off this list and crossing them off as you complete them. You can even take this list to your guidance counselor, teacher or parent to help keep you on track.
Freshman-year tasks
* Learn the specific nature of your disability and how to explain it so others will understand your needs.
* Learn about your strengths.
* Learn how to participate actively in your plan, especially your transition plan, which is your plan to help you achieve your goal of attending college.
* Prepare academically by carefully planning your high school courses.
* Work with your guidance counselor to be sure that you will have the standard and verified credits you need to obtain the desired diploma.
* Prepare for and pass the end-of-course SOL tests required for verified credits.
* Learn how to use the academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and services, and learning strategies that you will need in college.
* Explore assistive technology and how it can help you complete tasks that are difficult for you.
* Ask your guidance counselor to teach you about the college resources available in your school.
* Explore career options with your guidance counselor and visit your school career or college center.
* Become involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you and that might lead to a career.
* Talk to people in various professions to find out what they like and dislike about their jobs and what kind of education is needed.
* Continue to work on the skills that are hard for you to do.
* Learn strategies to help you access the same course work as your peers.
* Begin a “Going To College” portfolio.
Check out the following list of recommended “To Dos” to help you plan and prepare for college. Pick the “To Do” items that are most applicable to you and then consider putting them on a calendar or printing off this list and crossing them off as you complete them. You can even take this list to your guidance counselor, teacher or parent to help keep you on track.
Freshman-year tasks
* Learn the specific nature of your disability and how to explain it so others will understand your needs.
* Learn about your strengths.
* Learn how to participate actively in your plan, especially your transition plan, which is your plan to help you achieve your goal of attending college.
* Prepare academically by carefully planning your high school courses.
* Work with your guidance counselor to be sure that you will have the standard and verified credits you need to obtain the desired diploma.
* Prepare for and pass the end-of-course SOL tests required for verified credits.
* Learn how to use the academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and services, and learning strategies that you will need in college.
* Explore assistive technology and how it can help you complete tasks that are difficult for you.
* Ask your guidance counselor to teach you about the college resources available in your school.
* Explore career options with your guidance counselor and visit your school career or college center.
* Become involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you and that might lead to a career.
* Talk to people in various professions to find out what they like and dislike about their jobs and what kind of education is needed.
* Continue to work on the skills that are hard for you to do.
* Learn strategies to help you access the same course work as your peers.
* Begin a “Going To College” portfolio.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Interview: Taking Standardized Tests
More from interviews with students on taking standardized tests:
Lisa:
I’ll take the SAT and the ACT. I did better on the ACT than I did on the SAT. I don’t really know why but I did better accommodation wise on those tests. I didn’t even know you could get accommodations on those kind of exams, nobody told me, and I guess I just never really took the time and figured it out on my own. But that’s definitely important if you’re planning on going to college and you’re gonna take those exams. Make sure if you are qualified for the accommodations that you get those and that it helps you on your exams … because those exams are pretty important for when you apply.
Andrea:
I’ve not always performed as well on standardized tests so it was really, really critical for me to have accommodations and even with those accommodations I found them to be very anxiety provoking experiences, so I had to take them more than once to just kind of tweak out … how to best take those exams. They were not easy for me. But I did have accommodations, I had … I had extra time and I was able to take breaks when I needed to, and I had a scribe, so I had quite a few and they were tremendously helpful - the only way I could have gotten through.
Maria:
On the SAT test, I definitely used my accommodations. I got time and a half testing for the SAT, and with that I think I got an extra break during the SAT because it’s so long anyway. I started at the same time as the other students, but I was in a room with other people with a learning disability or other forms of disabilities, and we just got an extra break I think, so our testing went a little longer.
Andrea:
It’s similar to when you need accommodations for college, you have to have letters from your doctors stating that it’s required, so you need like a formal documentation. And then you sent it to, if you contact the SAT office or the GRE office, they have a special section for people with disabilities, so basically you just ask to speak to them and then they’ll tell you what the process is.
Lisa:
I’ll take the SAT and the ACT. I did better on the ACT than I did on the SAT. I don’t really know why but I did better accommodation wise on those tests. I didn’t even know you could get accommodations on those kind of exams, nobody told me, and I guess I just never really took the time and figured it out on my own. But that’s definitely important if you’re planning on going to college and you’re gonna take those exams. Make sure if you are qualified for the accommodations that you get those and that it helps you on your exams … because those exams are pretty important for when you apply.
Andrea:
I’ve not always performed as well on standardized tests so it was really, really critical for me to have accommodations and even with those accommodations I found them to be very anxiety provoking experiences, so I had to take them more than once to just kind of tweak out … how to best take those exams. They were not easy for me. But I did have accommodations, I had … I had extra time and I was able to take breaks when I needed to, and I had a scribe, so I had quite a few and they were tremendously helpful - the only way I could have gotten through.
Maria:
On the SAT test, I definitely used my accommodations. I got time and a half testing for the SAT, and with that I think I got an extra break during the SAT because it’s so long anyway. I started at the same time as the other students, but I was in a room with other people with a learning disability or other forms of disabilities, and we just got an extra break I think, so our testing went a little longer.
Andrea:
It’s similar to when you need accommodations for college, you have to have letters from your doctors stating that it’s required, so you need like a formal documentation. And then you sent it to, if you contact the SAT office or the GRE office, they have a special section for people with disabilities, so basically you just ask to speak to them and then they’ll tell you what the process is.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Taking Admissions Tests
Tests are part of the process
Many four-year colleges and universities require standardized test scores as part of the admissions process. These scores are designed to supplement the information provided by your grade point average, high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, reference letters and personal essay. It is important to check the admissions requirements of universities, colleges and community colleges to determine what, if any, admissions tests are required. Keep in mind, many community colleges do not require the SAT or ACT for admission.
The most common admissions tests include the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT test. Both tests are timed and average about four hours, including breaks. A fee is required to register for each test.
Sitting through the SAT
The SAT is designed to measure critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and writing skills that students need to complete college-level work. It consists of three major sections: critical reading, mathematics and writing. Each section has a potential of 800 points. The test consists of multiple-choice questions, a written essay and math questions.
The art of taking the ACT
The ACT test is a general education college entrance exam that is based on what is taught in high school. It covers four areas: English, math, science and reading. The test is given in a multiple-choice format, with a score of 1-36 possible for each area, and an overall composite score is given. The optional 30-minute writing test requires students to plan and write a short essay.
Which test is best for you?
It is important to talk with your teachers, guidance counselors and other students about which test may be best for you to take. Some students may feel more comfortable taking a test based on what they were taught in high school (ACT) vs. skills they will need in college (SAT). You can also try out some practice test questions as each standardized test comes with practice test questions on their Web sites. Guidance counselors can assist you in registering for the test. It is also recommended that you take the SAT or ACT in your junior year, so you have the option to retake the test if a higher score is desired.
Start preparing
In the fall of your junior year, you may take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) which helps you to prepare for the SAT. By taking this practice test, you also have a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship programs. The PLAN is a practice test to prepare students for the ACT, which can be taken by 10th-graders. For more information visit the ACT Web site.
These practice tests will give you feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on the skills necessary for college study. This information will help you target specific areas on which to focus, study or practice. You can also see how your scores compare with others applying for college and the type of questions and specific directions to expect on the tests.
If you typically do not do well on standardized test, consider taking a preparation class or workshop in your area to improve your test-taking skills. Check out the ACT and SAT Web sites for additional preparation materials as well.
Many four-year colleges and universities require standardized test scores as part of the admissions process. These scores are designed to supplement the information provided by your grade point average, high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, reference letters and personal essay. It is important to check the admissions requirements of universities, colleges and community colleges to determine what, if any, admissions tests are required. Keep in mind, many community colleges do not require the SAT or ACT for admission.
The most common admissions tests include the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT test. Both tests are timed and average about four hours, including breaks. A fee is required to register for each test.
Sitting through the SAT
The SAT is designed to measure critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and writing skills that students need to complete college-level work. It consists of three major sections: critical reading, mathematics and writing. Each section has a potential of 800 points. The test consists of multiple-choice questions, a written essay and math questions.
The art of taking the ACT
The ACT test is a general education college entrance exam that is based on what is taught in high school. It covers four areas: English, math, science and reading. The test is given in a multiple-choice format, with a score of 1-36 possible for each area, and an overall composite score is given. The optional 30-minute writing test requires students to plan and write a short essay.
Which test is best for you?
It is important to talk with your teachers, guidance counselors and other students about which test may be best for you to take. Some students may feel more comfortable taking a test based on what they were taught in high school (ACT) vs. skills they will need in college (SAT). You can also try out some practice test questions as each standardized test comes with practice test questions on their Web sites. Guidance counselors can assist you in registering for the test. It is also recommended that you take the SAT or ACT in your junior year, so you have the option to retake the test if a higher score is desired.
Start preparing
In the fall of your junior year, you may take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) which helps you to prepare for the SAT. By taking this practice test, you also have a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship programs. The PLAN is a practice test to prepare students for the ACT, which can be taken by 10th-graders. For more information visit the ACT Web site.
These practice tests will give you feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on the skills necessary for college study. This information will help you target specific areas on which to focus, study or practice. You can also see how your scores compare with others applying for college and the type of questions and specific directions to expect on the tests.
If you typically do not do well on standardized test, consider taking a preparation class or workshop in your area to improve your test-taking skills. Check out the ACT and SAT Web sites for additional preparation materials as well.
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