All About Standardized Tests 9/6/2019

All About Standardized Tests

• SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, and SAT Subject Test exams
• PSAT & AP
• The Timeline
• Standardized testing in the U.S., Canadian, U.K., and Australian admissions
systems
• The Focus for G9 and G10
• Q&A + college counseling handout folder

Ms. Yu, College Counselor

<amanda.yu@basisinternationalph.com> 1
All About Standardized Tests 9/6/2019

There’s one more test I

want to talk about first…

Admissions around the world…

Chinese University Admissions
1. Gao Kao!
U.S. & Canadian Admissions U.K. & Australian Admissions
1. TOEFL/IELTS test scores 1. TOEFL/IELTS test scores
2. Grades in all school courses 2. Grades in all school courses
3. Strength of curriculum 3. Strength of curriculum
4. SAT/ACT test scores 4. SAT test scores
5. Student essays 5. Student essays
6. Counselor recommendation 6. Teacher recommendation
7. Student’s demonstrated letter
interest
8. Teacher recommendations
9. Extracurricular activities
(Service, Leadership,
Character)

Ms. Yu, College Counselor

<amanda.yu@basisinternationalph.com> 2
All About Standardized Tests 9/6/2019

Most Importantly…
• Every college and university application process is different!
• Here’s how BIPH College Counseling will help:
• Individual parent & student meetings with me, starting with 10th graders, then 9th
• College research begins this year through Cialfo for 10th and 9th graders
• Monthly info sessions and bi-weekly College Counseling articles
• Workshops with students on college application preparedness

SAT ACT
- widely accepted in U.S., Canada, and other countries
- Taking the test more than 3 times may reflect negatively in the admissions
process
- No public test centers in Mainland China
- No Science section - Science section
- 3 hours (+50-min optional essay) - 2 hours 55 mins (+40-min optional
essay)
- More time per question, slower- - Less time per question, faster-
paced paced

Ms. Yu, College Counselor

<amanda.yu@basisinternationalph.com> 3
All About Standardized Tests 9/6/2019

Our Recommendation
• We recommend not taking either exam more than 3 times –
don’t take an exam early as “practice”, because…
• It will affect an average of all scores
• It is likely that you will not improve your score significantly
after the 3rd try
• You need time to tackle your challenging AP courses, engage
in after-school activities, study for other standardized tests,
and do other college prep!

IELTS TOEFL
- English proficiency exams for college admission
- Scores are valid for only 2 years after test date!
- Our recommendation is to take these exams from June after G10
- Public test centers available in Mainland China
- Widely accepted for U.K. and - Widely accepted for U.S. and
Australian university admissions Canadian university admissions

Ms. Yu, College Counselor

<amanda.yu@basisinternationalph.com> 4
All About Standardized Tests 9/6/2019

What are SAT Subject Tests?

• SAT Subject Tests, formerly SAT IIs, are
college admissions tests that assess your
mastery in a specific subject.
• Should I take SAT Subject Tests?
• If you have a real interest in a particular subject
or it is connected to your future
academic/professional goals, then it may help to
send (strong) SAT Subject Test scores.
• There are 21 different SAT Subject Tests.
• See the table on the left to see which tests are
the most popular!
• Note: 7 out of 8 Ivy League schools explicitly
recommend serious applicants to submit 2
Subject Test scores. Most competitive
undergraduate programs in the U.S. will also
share this recommendation.

• P= “preliminary”, or “practice”; The purpose of the PSAT is to practice for the SAT.
• BIPH will be administering this test to all 10th graders on October 16th!

• Important: PSAT scores will not affect college admissions or grades in any way.
They are not reported to colleges.

Ms. Yu, College Counselor

<amanda.yu@basisinternationalph.com> 5
All About Standardized Tests 9/6/2019

Advanced Placement (AP)

• AP means college-level
• AP exams are taken at the conclusion of AP courses in May. Your teachers will give you
individual recommendations about whether or not to take the exam.
• AP scores are released to the school in July.
• Your official AP score will also affect your final grade in the course.
• BASIS Graduation Requirements:
• Every student must take 6 AP exams (1+ each in Math, Science, History, and English)
• Every student must pass at least 1 AP exam with a score of 3.

So… when do I take what?

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
• Take TOEFL/SAT • Take TOEFL/IELTS • Take TOEFL/IELTS • Aug-Dec: Last
only if required by • Take the PSAT at 1-2 times chances to take
summer programs school • Take SAT/ACT 1-2 tests before college
• Start studying for times applications!
SAT/ACT during • Take SAT Subject
holidays and take it only Tests
if you are ready!
Bold = recommended tests
Be sure to space out your retakes to give yourself enough time for improvement!
Want more dates and details? Ms. Yu will provide you a complete Standardized Testing Guide
today after the presentation!

Ms. Yu, College Counselor

<amanda.yu@basisinternationalph.com> 6
All About Standardized Tests 9/6/2019

N (number of
% said factor was important for
Factor responding
international applicants
U.S. colleges) We don’t need to worry
TOEFL or IELTS 162 96.9% about this at BASIS!
Grades in All Courses 166 97%

Grades in AP/Honors Courses 165 95.2% What’s the focus?

SAT or ACT 165 92.7%
9th Grade:
Strength of Curriculum 164 90.3% Grades!!
Counselor Recommendation 161 81.4% Transition well into HS
(Only if a summer program requires it, study and
Teacher Recommendation 162 79.6% take TOEFL/SAT)
Essay or Writing Samples 162 77.2%
10th Grade:
Extracurricular Activities 163 75.4%
Grades!!
Student’s Demonstrated Take TOEFL
161 71.5%
Interest
Start studying seriously for SAT/ACT
SAT Subject Tests 160 29.4%
Adapted from NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2017-18

Don’t forget!
Standardized testing is an important part of the college
application, …

HOWEVER,
… it is not the only part.

The toughest challenge of High School is undoubtedly

balance.
Remember to take advantage of our holistic, well-rounded
liberal arts activities and extracurricular programs.

Ms. Yu, College Counselor

<amanda.yu@basisinternationalph.com> 7