SPRING 2009 PARENT NEWSLETTER
Dear Parents and Students,
We at ACE know that the standardized testing and college application process can be complicated and confusing. Using our experience and expertise, we have compiled some general information to assist both parents and students. We hope you find the information to be useful.
Thank you,
All of us at ACE Educational Services
SAT * TEST DATES & DEADLINES: 2009
|
National
Test Administrations‡
|
Tests
Offered
|
Registration
Deadline (U.S. Postmark) |
LATE
Registration Deadline |
|
MARCH
14
|
SAT
I ONLY
|
February
10
|
February
24
|
|
MAY
2
|
SAT
I and SAT II
|
March
31
|
April
9
|
|
JUNE
6
|
SAT
I and SAT II
|
May
5
|
May
15
|
|
OCTOBER
4
|
SAT
I and SAT II
|
not
set yet
|
not
set yet
|
|
NOVEMBER
1
|
SAT
I and SAT II
|
not
set yet
|
not
set yet
|
|
DECEMBER
6
|
SAT
I and SAT II
|
not
set yet
|
not
set yet
|
*SAT is a registered trademark
of the College Entrance Examination Board.
‡The test dates listed above correspond to the Saturday test administrations.
For students who cannot test on Saturday because of religious observances,
Sunday test administrations are offered the Sunday after each Saturday test
date.
CLASS OF 2010
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SAT SUBJECT TESTS
At this time of year, eleventh graders should begin thinking about taking SAT Subject tests. Many colleges require two SAT Subject tests in addition to the SAT. Typically, these colleges require the SAT Math Level 1/Math Level 2, and a "second subject" test. Note: You can not expect to get all SAT Subject tests out of the way by taking both Math tests-- colleges will accept only one of the Math SAT Subject scores.
After the Math Level 1/Math Level 2 test is out of the way, it's up to you to decide which "second subject" test to take in order to achieve your highest score. We recommend that you take a subject test that corresponds to a course that you are currently taking in school, preferably an AP course such as US History. Generally, the US History, Literature, and Biology tests tend to be easier than some of the other subject tests.
Be sure to check with the colleges to which you're applying, because some will occasionally require specific tests (for example, certain engineering programs require that you take Physics in addition to Math Level 2).
Each SAT Subject test is one hour in length, and you can take up to three tests on one day.
Juniors in high school
usually take SAT Subject tests in May and/or June, and it is important to
begin preparation with adequate time before the test.
SAT SUBJECT TESTS:
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•
Literature
|
•
U.S. History
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•
World History
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•
Latin
|
|
• Math Level 1
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•
Physics
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•
French
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•
Italian
|
|
•
Math Level 2
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•
Chemistry
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•
German
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•
Hebrew
|
|
|
•
Biology E/M
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•
Spanish
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•
Chinese
|
SAT ANSWER SERVICE
OPTIONS
These
options are available for the SAT (not Subject Tests) and are offered by the
College Board for a nominal fee.
|
Student
Answer Service
(SAS)* |
Question-and-Answer
Service
(QAS) |
Test
Dates Offered
|
|
Fee:
$12.00
|
Fee:
$18.00
|
2009
|
|
By ordering this service, you will receive a computer-generated report that provides the following information for each question: 1) Whether you answered
the question correctly, incorrectly, or omitted it SAS does NOT provide you with a test booklet or a list of the correct letter answers. |
This service provides all of the information included in the SAS as well as the following: 1) A copy of the
test booklet containing the actual math and verbal questions from the
test you took QAS is a great tool for helping you review your results question by question. |
January - QAS March - SAS May - QAS June - SAS October - QAS November - SAS December - SAS |
CLASS OF 2006... AND BEYOND
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW PSAT AND NEW SAT
The class of 2006, was the first group of students to take the NEW PSAT and NEW SAT.
The NEW PSAT was offered for the first time in October 2004.
The NEW PSAT reflects
the changes summarized in the chart below with two exceptions:
1) The NEW PSAT does not have a written essay, and 2) more advanced Algebra
II concepts are not on the NEW PSAT, because many students will not have studied
Algebra II prior to taking it.
WE ADVISE
THAT YOU TAKE THE PSAT IN OCTOBER OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR AND
TAKE YOUR SAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARCH OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.
THE NEW SAT ~ BEGAN MARCH 2005
The NEW SAT includes the following changes:
|
Changes
to the SAT I Verbal Section...
|
Changes
to the SAT I Math Section...
|
|
• The name of the verbal section was changed to "Critical Reading." • Analogies were eliminated and short reading passages have taken their place. • A Writing section similar in format to the SAT II Writing test has been added. The Writing section includes multiple-choice grammar questions and a written essay. The multiple-choice questions require students to identify sentence errors, improve sentences, and improve paragraphs. The essay portion requires students to write a timed essay. |
• The Quantitative Comparison section has been eliminated. • Additional concepts (including some Algebra II concepts) have been added, such as:
|
Why did The College
Board change the SAT I Reasoning Test?
According to The College Board, the changes to the SAT were designed to align
the test more closely with the curriculum and skills required for success
in college today: writing, three years of high school math, and strong preparation
in critical reading. Don't worry - many of the changes make the SAT more coachable,
and we have developed new materials that incorporate these changes.
What about SAT Subject
Tests (formerly called SAT II Tests)?
The College Board decided that the SAT II Writing test will no longer be administered
and has indicated that the Math IC test might be eliminated as well. Since
the New SAT contains a Writing component (similar to that found on the old
SAT II Writing test), you do not need (nor can you) to take the SAT II Writing
test. In fact, most colleges did not accept SAT II Writing scores from applicants
in the class of 2006 and beyond. In addition, many colleges will not be accepting
SAT II Math IC scores from applicants from the class of 2006 and beyond.
ACE PROGRAM OPTIONS
MAIN PROGRAM
Our Main PSAT, SAT, and SAT Subject Test Programs provide one-on-one, in-home instruction. The instructors come to your home, and you schedule appointments directly with them for afternoons, evenings, or weekends: whenever is convenient for you. The programs include all of the following: a comprehensive course manual, extensive practice problems for homework and drills, and the opportunity to take real SATs at our Sunday morning test center location.
MASTER TUTOR PROGRAM
In the Master Tutor Program, you will work with more experienced tutors who were handpicked by George Yuster, the Executive Director who has been a leader in the test preparation industry for over twenty years. Master Tutors have undergone additional training, above and beyond their initial training of thirty hours per subject. This more in-depth program includes more hours of instruction, which allows you to do increased fine tuning with your master-level tutors and provides you with added time to attack your areas of weakness. The Main Program is very comprehensive, and the Master Tutor Program delves even deeper.
YUSTER GROUP INSTRUCTION
Yuster Group instructors provide an even more intense, in-depth program designed for students who are willing to put in the required effort to reach their maximum potential. Yuster Group instructors are our most experienced and successful instructors who have undergone additional training under the direct supervision of George Yuster. Working with a Yuster Group instructor is a large time and financial commitment. Instructors' rates range from $130 per hour to $380 per hour, depending upon the instructor. It is important to begin working with a Yuster Group instructor as early as possible so you have enough time to fully prepare for the test.
For
more information about any of our programs,
please contact the ACE office at (877) 968-6223.
We look forward to helping you achieve great results!
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ACE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 9911 West
Pico Blvd. Phone: (877)
968-6223
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HELPFUL
CONTACT INFO
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| SAT
Customer Service (for problems and ordering Answer Service Options) |
(866) 756-7346 |
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| SAT Re-Registration and Scores by Phone |
(866)
756-7346
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| College
Board Services for Students with Disabilities (to request an application to receive test accommodations) |
(609)
771-7137
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| PSAT |
(609)
771-7070
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The College Board Online
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