Frequently Asked Questions
Standardized Testing
What is The Explore test?
The Explore test is a two-hour practice ACT test that we administer to all of our freshmen during school on Testing Day in October. As a "pre-ACT" test, the Explore is a powerful predictor of success on the ACT. The content of the Explore tests is closely tied to that of the achievement tests in the ACT, which is broadly used for college entrance and placement decisions. The testing booklet the student used will be returned with his score report so that he can discover areas where he may need to focus more of his efforts during study.
What is the PSAT?
The PSAT is a two-hour test administered to all O’Dea sophomores and juniors in October. It is given at O’Dea on our testing day in October. The Counselors give the scores to the students as soon as we receive them, which is usually in late December or early January. Along with the scores, each student will receive his test booklet, which he can use to review those questions he answered incorrectly. This is a great place to start when a student begins to prepare for the SAT Test. The score report sheet itself thoroughly explains the meaning of the scores and extensive statistical data pertinent to national performance. The scores are reported on a scale of 20-80 points for the three test categories of Math, Critical Reading and Writing Skills. The scores for the PSAT tests are normed for sophomores and for juniors.
The PSAT test that students take in junior year is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The NMSQT determines a Selection Index score, which is the sum of the three test scores. By attaining a high “Selection Index” juniors may then qualify for National Merit Foundation recognition and scholarships. This places them in competition with all of the juniors in Washington who take the PSAT test.
Example: Critical Reading 56 + Math 62 + Writing Skills 59 = Selection Index 177
For the class of 2010, the National Merit Foundation conferred the semi-finalist status on those with a Selection Index of 217 or better. The National Merit Foundation provides the counseling office with a new qualification number each year, usually by the end of summer. O’Dea semi-finalists are notified of their standing in late September.
How should I prepare for the SAT or ACT?
There are many different formats that can be utilized to improve your scores on the standardized tests.
- There is a test preparation built into Family Connections in the College section-Test Preparation. This is a self-paced program that the student can do from any computer.
- Another affordable option is from eKnowledge. eKnowledge is offering their SAT and ACT preparation programs (worth $200 each) to any high school student who has a relative who has served in any branch of the military, including ROTC and the reserves. This can be a parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin or grandparent. Any parent or individual student, who desires the program, can simply request it online. The student only needs to pay shipping and handling ($14.00). This is a great offer and every junior should order one ASAP. To request your free program, go to: eknowledge.com/military
- Mazor Test Prep Company 206-632-8378 (www.mazor.org)
- CollegeBoard (www.collegeboard.com) and ACT (www.act.org) websites
- Preparation Books –These can be accessed at the public libraries or purchased at Borders, Barnes & Noble, University Bookstore etc.
- Computer programs
How should I sign my name?
You should use your full legal name so that it matches your high school data, which will be used on all of your transcripts. Your full legal name is what appears on your birth certificate and social security card.
What is my high school code?
O’Dea High School Code is 481-130. (This is also the CEEB code.)
Do I need a social security number?
You must use your social security number when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) but you do not have to use your social security number for the standardized tests. If you do not have one now, it is important for you to obtain one immediately so that you can apply for financial aid. You can get a social security number by contacting your local social security office or call 1-800-772-1213 or go to www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.
Do I have to fill out the student descriptive questionnaire?
This is an optional section but it provides useful information to the colleges who then use the information to send materials to students who may be a “fit” for their institution. We recommend that you complete this at least one time.
How do colleges get my scores?
You can send the score reports to a maximum of four colleges without extra fees if you indicate the schools at the time of registration. For the SAT scores, you have the option to use Score Choice and send selected test date scores to the colleges but we recommend that you send all of your scores to each college to which you are applying. See the Score Choice section for further explanation. The ACT report will only include the results from the current testing. The O’Dea High School transcripts do not include any test scores so you must have your scores sent to all of your colleges from the testing companies. If you need your scores sent to colleges that you did not indicate on your registration after you have tested, you can request this through your online account that you created when you registered for the SAT or ACT. There is an additional fee for sending scores to more than four schools at the time of registration and for sending scores after you have taken the test. Those additional fees are $9.00 per college for ACT and $9.50 per college for SAT.
How do I register for the standardized tests?
You can register online or with a paper form. The most efficient way to register is online (www.collegeboard.com for SAT; www.act.org for ACT). You will know exactly where you will be testing and for the SAT you will print out your admission “ticket” at the time of registration. You will need a credit card to register online. If you do not have access to a computer, you can mail a paper form. We have all of the paper registration materials in the counseling office. You should register early for each test as the testing sites fill very quickly.
Are there fee waivers for the SAT and ACT?
Fee waivers are available to high school juniors and seniors who cannot afford the SAT and ACT test fees. There are ACT fee waivers, which cover the cost of the basic fee and the writing fee if you choose to take the writing test. SAT Fee waivers cover the basic testing fees for the SAT Reasoning Test or the SAT Subject Tests and either the Questions and Answer Service or the Student Answer Services. Eligible students may use up to two SAT Reasoning fee waivers and up to two SAT Subject Tests fee waivers. The use of SAT or ACT fee waivers may qualify you for up to four college application fee waivers and a fee waiver for the NCAA Eligibility Center. Fee Waivers cover only the cost of the basic fee, the student must pay any standby, site change, date change, test change and late fees. Please see Mrs. Eulberg if you need any fee waivers.
How can I get accommodations for standardized testing?
If you receive any accommodations at O’Dea High School, you may be eligible for those same accommodations for the SAT and ACT tests. You must speak to Mrs. Popich early in junior year, as there is an extensive application process to complete in order for you to receive them.
What do all of the registration deadlines mean?
If you are mailing the registration form, the deadline is a postmark deadline. In other words, your form must be postmarked by the regular registration deadline or it will be considered late. If you are registering online, you must register by midnight (Eastern Time). If you register late, there will be an additional late fee assessed ($21.00- ACT, $23.00-SAT)
What if I am sick on my scheduled testing day?
If you are unable to take the test on the day that you registered for, you can change the testing day by going to a different testing center early (6:45- 7:00am) on a different test date. You may want to call the testing center and get specific instructions on this process. You will be placed on a list and after all of the registered students have been admitted, if there are extra test booklets you will be allowed to test. You will be billed an additional fee ($20.00- ACT, $22.00-SAT) for a date change.
I was assigned to a testing center that is far from my home. Can I change sites?
You can change testing center by going to a different testing center early (6:45-7:00am). You may want to call the testing center and get specific instructions on this process. You will be placed on a list and after all of the registered students have been admitted, if there are extra test booklets you will be allowed to test. You will be billed an additional fee ($20.00- ACT, $20.00-SAT) for a test center change.
I registered for the SAT Reasoning Test but I need to change to the SAT Subject Tests. How do I do that?
You can change the test (you can also change from the SAT Subject Tests to the SAT Reasoning Test) when you check in at the testing center. If they have extra tests for the test you wish to change to, you will be assigned to the new test. You will be billed for an additional fee ($22.00-SAT) for a test change.
What is standby testing?
If you have missed both the regular and late deadlines, standby registration is available on a “first come, first served” basis. You must complete the paper registration form before you arrive at the testing center, include the regular fee and the additional standby fee ($38.00-SAT, $41.00ACT), and arrive at the testing site at least 1 hour before the scheduled test time (6:45-7:00am). You should come to the Counseling Office and get paper registration forms so that you will have them completed before you arrive at the testing site. You will be allowed to take the test if there are enough testing materials after those who were registered, and those with test center/test date changes have been admitted.
What should I bring to the test?
- Photo ID
- Admission ticket
- Several #2 pencils & erasers
- Approved Scientific Graphing Calculator- see websites for description of approved calculators
- Back-up Calculator in case the first one fails
- Watch
What shouldn’t I bring to the testing room?
- Cell phone
- Food or drink (even water)—you may bring a snack that you can eat during the break, outside of the testing room
- An unapproved calculator-see websites for description of unapproved calculators
- Any books or scratch paper
- Radio, CD player, cassette player (unless you are taking the SAT Language Subject test with listening)