STAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box #87
145 Orcuttville Road
    Stafford Springs, CT 06076
PH:  860-684-4233   FAX:  860-684-0424
gloverm@stafford.ctschool.net

CEEB Number:  070705

VISION AND MISSION
CAREER EXPLORATION
 SELF-GROWTH POST SECONDARY OPTIONS
COLLEGE PLANNING FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS PROGRAM OF STUDIES COLLEGE SUCCESS
STANDARDIZED TESTING SPECIAL PROGRAMS ACADEMIC PATHS SHS PROFILE

Standardized Testing


Students who anticipate attending a four year college after graduation are encouraged to take the SAT I  This math and critical reading results are  used by most colleges as part of the admission process and schools are preently defining ways of using the writing section    Test results range from 200-800 in each of the three areas, with more competitive colleges looking for SAT I results in the range of 600+ in both the critical reading and math sections. 

The SAT II is a subject area test used by selective colleges either as part of the admissions process or for class placement purposes.  Students need to develop a calendar that will allow them to take both the SAT I and SAT II if they are planning on applying to a competitive college.


  Students may register for these test on line at www.collegeboard.com or using a  brochure that may be picked up in guidance.  



2007-2008 Test Dates   

SAT I: Reasoning Test and SAT II: Subject Tests

Test Date U.S./International Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline
October 6 September  10 September  14
November 3 October 2
 October 11
December 1 October 30
 November 98
January 26 December 26 January 4
March 1
 January 29
 February 7
May 3   April 1
 April 10
June 7  May 6
 May 15
                           

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Beginning with the class of 2006, a new SAT testing program will begin.  Read about the changes at http://www.collegeboard.com/newsat 

 
 CHANGES INCLUDE:


In addition to the SAT I and IIs, during their junior year, SHS students take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) and use the results as part of the career search process.  They may also take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in October of their sophomore and/or junior year to help them prepare for taking the SAT I in the spring of their junior year or the fall of their senior year.


Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)

Test Dates
October 17
October 20


The PSAT/NMSQT is a test that provides students with an opportunity to practice for the SAT I.  It is offered at Stafford High School on a Saturday in October and yields results similar to the SAT I, except that the range of results are 20-80 in each area. The results can be used to anticipate how the student will do on the SAT I and to research colleges that fall within the same range as the student's test results. The fee for this test is $13.00 and the testing time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.  

The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading, math reasoning and writing skills.  The test includes two 25 minute critical reading sections (a total of 48 questions), two 25 minute math sections (a total of 28 questions), and one 30 minute writing skills section (containing 39 questions). Counselor Gunther registers students for this test through their English classes. 

Students usually take this test in their sophomore and/or junior year of high school.  If they wish to have their test results considered for the National Merit Scholarship, they MUST take the test as a junior.  Results of the test are usually available in December,  and guidance sponsors an informational meeting for students to go over results and the ways these results can be used as part of the college search process.
 



ADVANCED PLACEMENT 

Advanced Placement testing is offered at the high school for students who wish to attain college credit for courses taken while in high school.  The high school offers advanced placement courses in art, biology, calculus, English, foreign language, and music.  Three of these courses (biology, English, French) are also part of the UCONN co-op program and, as such, students receive UCONN credit for successful completion of these courses.  Many colleges will accept the UCONN co-op credits towards their degree requirements, but in cases where the student's choice of college will not accept these credits, student may take the AP test to attain college credits.  Scores on the AP tests range from 1-5, with most colleges granting credit for at least a 3, although some colleges require a score of 4 or 5.  Since individual colleges and college departments have different requirements, students are well served to contact their college of choice to assure that they receive as many credits as possible.  Guidance is happy to assist students in attaining this information.

Advanced Placement Program (AP) Examinations Dates

Test Dates
First two weeks of May 



     
   CAPT

All students participate in the CAPT (Connecticut Academic Performance Test) in the spring of their sophomore year. This state-wide test sets high performance standards on a comprehensive range of skills and content,  and emphasizes the application and integration of skills and knowledge in realistic contexts. The student goal is to be able to apply what is learned in school to situations which they are likely to face throughout their lives, and the CAPT will be used as part of the new graduation requirements.

The CAPT produces four scores:  math, science, reading and writing. SHS students achieving test certification to be classified as CAPT Scholars has increased yearly, and presently 27.7% of the high school sophomores succeed in all four areas being tested. It is encouraging to note that in all areas tested, 83 to 90% of SHS students were in either the third or fourth score band. Concretely, this means that  89.7 % of SHS students tested were scoring at this level in mathematics, 88.6% in Science, 82.7 % in Reading, and 85.4 % in writing.