AP Testing Info May 2019

 

You should bring the following items to the exam room:

• Several sharpened No. 2 pencils (with erasers) for completing multiple-choice answer sheets. 
• Pens with black or dark blue ink for completing areas on the exam booklet covers and for free-response questions in most exams. 
• A watch that does not have internet access, beep, or have an alarm (in case your exam room does not have a clock that you can see easily). 
• Up to two calculators with the necessary capabilities if you are taking the Calculus Exam. Click here to learn more about the calculator policy for Calc BC, including a list of acceptable calculators. 
• Your Social Security number (for U.S. citizens)* for identification purposes (optional). If you provide it, the number will appear on your AP score reports. *Some colleges and universities use Social Security numbers as student identifiers when assigning AP credit or advanced placement for qualifying AP scores. While the College Board does not require students to provide their Social Security number, they may want to check with the college or university where they are sending scores to see if they prefer for students to provide a Social Security number on their AP Exam answer sheet.

You should not bring the following to the exam room:

• Electronic equipment (cell phone, smartphone, laptop, tablet computer, etc.), portable listening or recording devices (MP3 player, iPod, etc.), cameras or other photographic equipment, devices that can access the Internet, and any other electronic or communication devices. 
• Unapproved aids: Books, compasses, mechanical pencils, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters*, notes or colored pencils.* 
• Rulers, straightedges, and protractors  
• Scratch paper; notes can be made on portions of the exam booklets or, for Chinese Language and Culture and Japanese Language and Culture, on scratch paper provided by the proctor. 
• Computers or calculators (except as noted above). 
• Reference guides, keyboard maps, or other typing instructions. 
• Watches that beep or have an alarm, or smartwatches. 
• Clothing with subject-related information. 
• Food or drink.

Additional Information:

• Students may not be dismissed until an exam has officially ended; do not ask to leave early if you finish before the end of the exam. 
• Get a good night’s rest before your exam, and eat a nutritious breakfast. You are allowed to bring a snack and beverage for your 10-minute break. However, food and drink are prohibited in the exam room. It is advisable to bring a sweater, in case the room temperature is below your comfort level.
• For Morning Exams - please bring your lunch. Testing will end at around 12:00 pm, and cafeteria service will not be available.
• You are required to abide by the policies of both the College Board and Biotechnology High School during the exam period. Any misconduct will be reported and could jeopardize your AP Exam score.
• Be sure to review the Bulletin for AP Students and Parents. 
• For Comp Sci & Calc: you'll get your scores online in July - details
• For Spanish: scores will be delayed until August

Letter & Permission Slip For Spanish Testing

2017 PSAT Scores

Students received paper copies of their PSAT Score Reports & Test Booklets today ... so what's next?

(1) Visit studentscores.collegeboard.org to create a College Board account and get your full PSAT/NMSQT score report. Please note the location of the access code on the front cover of the score reports. Students must use their unique access code to get their full score reports online.

(2) Create a Khan Academy account at satpractice.org and link it to your College Board account to get free personalized practice for the SAT.

(3) Start planning for college and career using tools like Big Future and Roadtrip Nation®, available via your online PSAT report.

(4) Register for the SAT in March, May or June. Spring of junior year is the perfect time to take the SAT for the first time -- students can take advantage of their PSAT/NMSQT experience, and they will have time to practice, increase their skills, and test again if they want to improve their scores.

PSAT Resources:

• Sample PSAT/NMSQT Score Report - Explains the sections of the paper student score report.
• Parent Tutorial: Understanding 2017 PSAT/NMSQT Results - A guide to help students and parents interpret results from the PSAT/NMSQ

AP Testing Information 2017

Schedule:

• Computer Science (juniors) - Tuesday, May 2, 7:30 am, Room 223 
• Calculus BC (seniors not in IB History) - Tuesday, May 9, 7:30 am, Room 223
• Calculus BC (seniors in IB History) - Thursday, May 18, 7:30 am, Room 102
• Computer Science (seniors) - Thursday, May 18, 7:30 am, Room 104
• Spanish Language & Culture - Thursday, May 18, 11:30 am, Media Center

Permission Slips:

• Calculus BC (seniors not in IB History)
• Calculus BC (seniors in IB History)
• Computer Science (seniors)
• Spanish Language & Culture

You should bring the following items to the exam room:

• Several sharpened No. 2 pencils (with erasers) for completing multiple-choice answer sheets. 
• Pens with black or dark blue ink for completing areas on the exam booklet covers and for free-response questions in most exams. 
• A watch that does not have internet access, beep, or have an alarm (in case your exam room does not have a clock that you can see easily). 
• Up to two calculators with the necessary capabilities if you are taking the Calculus Exam. Click here to learn more about the calculator policy for Calc BC, including a list of acceptable calculators. 
• Your Social Security number (for U.S. citizens)* for identification purposes (optional). If you provide it, the number will appear on your AP score reports. *Some colleges and universities use Social Security numbers as student identifiers when assigning AP credit or advanced placement for qualifying AP scores. While the College Board does not require students to provide their Social Security number, they may want to check with the college or university where they are sending scores to see if they prefer for students to provide a Social Security number on their AP Exam answer sheet.

You should not bring the following to the exam room:

• Electronic equipment (cell phone, smartphone, laptop, tablet computer, etc.), portable listening or recording devices (MP3 player, iPod, etc.), cameras or other photographic equipment, devices that can access the Internet, and any other electronic or communication devices. 
• Unapproved aids: Books, compasses, mechanical pencils, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters*, notes or colored pencils.* 
• Rulers, straightedges, and protractors  
• Scratch paper; notes can be made on portions of the exam booklets or, for Chinese Language and Culture and Japanese Language and Culture, on scratch paper provided by the proctor. 
• Computers or calculators (except as noted above). 
• Reference guides, keyboard maps, or other typing instructions. 
• Watches that beep or have an alarm, or smartwatches. 
• Clothing with subject-related information. 
• Food or drink.

Additional Information:

• Students may not be dismissed until an exam has officially ended; do not ask to leave early if you finish before the end of the exam. 
• Get a good night’s rest before your exam, and eat a nutritious breakfast. You are allowed to bring a snack and beverage for your 10-minute break. However, food and drink are prohibited in the exam room. It is advisable to bring a sweater, in case the room temperature is below your comfort level.
• For Morning Exams - please bring your lunch. Testing will end at around 11:30 am, and cafeteria service will not be available.
• You are required to abide by the policies of both the College Board and Biotechnology High School during the exam period. Any misconduct will be reported and could jeopardize your AP Exam score.
• Be sure to review the 2016-17 Bulletin for AP Students and Parents. 
• Get your scores online in July - details

Good luck to all test-takers!

10 Reasons To Take The ACT

Did you know that there's an alternative option to the SAT for college admissions testing? Here's 10 reasons why we suggest giving the ACT a try:

(1) More US high school students took the ACT in 2016. 2,090,342 ACT test-takers; 1,681,134 SAT test-takers.

(2) The SAT & ACT are viewed as equals by admissions officers. UPenn Admissions: "No preference is given to the SAT or the ACT. If an applicant submits both tests, we will pay attention to the higher score from either test."

(3) Potentially eliminate the need to take SAT Subject Tests; many colleges accept the ACT in place of SAT Subject Tests.

(4) Scoring System - The ACT has a "friendlier" scoring system than the SAT that gives you more room for error. Performing poorly in one section doesn't necessarily sink your overall score.

SAT score = the sum of Math and Reading/Writing sections (400-1600)
ACT score = the average of English, Math, Reading, and Science sections (1-36)

(5) The phrasing of ACT questions tends to be more direct and straightforward than the SAT. Sample Questions -

SAT: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?
ACT: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating? 

(6) Biotech Students ACE the ACT

(7) The ACT includes a Science section; the SAT does not.

(8) Math section - The ACT has more Algebra II/Trig & less Geometry than the SAT. You can also use a calculator for every math section (the SAT has a non-calculator section)

(9) Multiple choice - While the SAT has student produced response (grid-in) sections, the ACT does not. Meaning that aside from the Writing section, every question on the ACT provides answer choices for you to select from.

(10) And most importantly for current juniors ... taking the ACT is an "insurance policy" to protect yourself against the issues with the new SAT. See: Why your new SAT score is not as strong as you think it is.

Learn more about the ACT:

• 2016-17 Preparation Booklet (paper copies available in Guidance)
• SAT/ACT Concordance Chart
• SAT vs. ACT Infographic
• Is the ACT Easier Than the SAT?

actstudent.org

2016 PSAT Scores

On Monday December 12, students who provided their email address on their PSAT/NMSQT answer sheet will receive an email reminder from the College Board explaining where and how to view their scores.

Students can set up a free College Board account at any time. If a student doesn't see their scores when they log in, email your School Counselor for an access code.

You're also encouraged to create a Khan Academy account at satpractice.org and link it to your College Board account to get free, personalized practice for the SAT.

Paper score reports and test booklets will be returned to students in January.

Resources For Understanding PSAT Results:

• "You've taken the New PSAT - Now What?" - On December 13th at 7pm, Catalyst's Founder & CEO Jared Friedland will be hosting a free webinar for high school students. He will share insights on the PSAT & SAT, help you understand your PSAT results, discuss the National Merit Scholarship Competition, and more. Families can sign up for this free webinar by clicking here!

• "Life After The PSAT" - Helpful tips on how to use your test scores