College & Career Planning

Radnor students grades 9-11 take the PSAT during the school day in October each year.  Students in 10th and 11th grade will take the PSAT/NMSQT and students in 9th grade will take the PSAT 8/9.

The PSAT assessments will be offered in a digital format. The digital PSAT is an adaptive test whereby the exam’s difficulty in each section is modified based on a student’s performance.  

The Reading & Writing section and Mathematics sections are broken down into two testing modules.  Questions will be concise and focused on the skills students need to succeed in college and career. The first module will focus on a variety of easy, medium and hard questions. The second module will be determined by a student's performance on the first module.

Breakdown of PSAT Testing Modules

Families can familiarize themselves with the digital test format by watching the following videos:

PSAT What to Expect Videos Grade 9: PSAT 8/9      Grade 10/11  PSAT/NMSQT

Juniors whose PSAT/NMSQT score is approximately in the top 50,000 nationally will qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship program. Students who qualify for this distinction will be notified during the Fall of their senior year.

PSAT testing information will be provided to Radnor High School families in Grades 9-11 during the Fall of each school year.

The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice test created and administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. The paper and pencil multiple-choice test will be offered through December 2023. The SAT will transition to a Digital test March 2024 and beyond.  The SAT will continue to be scored on a 1600 Scale. Below is a breakdown of the Digital SAT.

The SAT is a digital adaptive test: The first module of each section contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how students perform on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult.

Families can reach out to the college and career counseling team with any questions about the digital SAT!

Helpful Resources:

 What is the Adaptive SAT and How Does it Work? https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-adaptive-testing

To Learn more about the Digital SAT https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital?excmpid=vt-00288

Create a Khan Academy Account which offers FREE SAT test prep and practice exams.

The PreACT is a multiple-choice exam that familiarizes students with the ACT. Mirroring the style of the official college entrance exam, this paper-based test features questions in four subject areas: English/language arts, math, reading, and science. The PreAct is a timed test totaling two hours and ten minutes. The Pre-Act will provide students with information about college majors and career paths. Students at Radnor High School will take the PreAct in the Spring of Sophomore year.

Helpful Resources

ACT Website: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html

Free Test Prep: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html

The ACT is a standardized test designed to measure high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The questions on the ACT test the core subjects that students typically learn throughout high school. Students are tested in four subject areas: English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. The ACT is not an aptitude test, rather questions are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses. The score range for each of the four multiple-choice tests is 1–36. The Composite score is the average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number.

Helpful Resources

ACT Website: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html

Free Test Prep: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html

Colleges or universities that have a test-optional admissions policy allow all or some applicants to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT® scores as part of their application and it will not be counted against them in the application review.  Understanding test-optional policies can help students make informed decisions about whether to submit the SAT, the ACT, or both when applying. It is important to read each institution's policy carefully so that families are aware of the qualifications for admission, scholarships, financial aid, etc. 

Test optional: This is a blanket term for schools which do not require applicants to submit test scores before admissions decisions are made, including test-free institutions. Currently, there are more than 1,700 bachelor-degree granting schools that give students the power to choose whether ACT/SAT scores will be considered in the admissions process.

Test-free: This refers to institutions that will not consider ACT or SAT results in the admissions process even if scores are submitted. As of September 2023, about 86 campuses, including the University of California and the California State University, the nation’s largest public higher education system, are test-free. Test-free is sometimes referred to as “test blind”.

 Helpful Resources  

Fair Test: Listing of 2,000 universities that offer optional test admission policies. https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/

University of Pittsburgh Test Optional Perspectives : https://admissions.pitt.edu/blog/applying-test-optional/#:~:text=What%20Test%2DOptional%20Admissions%20Means,not%20a%20requirement%20for%20admissions.

Wake Forest and Test Optional Admissions Practices: https://news.wfu.edu/test-optional-admissions/

If a student receives school-based testing accommodations, they may be eligible for accommodations for the PSATs, SATs, Pre ACTs, and AP Exams. It is important for students and families to understand that determination of accommodations for standardized testing is not made by Radnor. If a student has an IEP or a 504, the case manager will assist the student in applying for accommodations, but the final decision lies with the testing agency. Typically, the following materials must be sent in with the request for accommodations:

·       Documentation including psycho-educational evaluation (within 3 - 5 years old) and the IEP or 504

·       Specific Diagnosis

·       History

·       Tests of cognitive ability and academic achievement

·       Specific recommendations based on functional limitations

·       Use of testing accommodations ion school setting

·       Evaluator's credentials

If one of these pieces is missing from a student's request, it is likely that they will not be approved for accommodations.

If you currently have an IEP or a 504 plan, contact your case manager to begin the process of applying for accommodations. Please not that the process can take up to 8 weeks to reach a decision, so plan early! To read more about the process for applying for accommodations or determination of accommodations, please see the links below.

COLLEGEBOARD - SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

ACT - SERVICES FOR EXAMINEES WITH DISABILITIES

Eligible students who demonstrate financial need can receive fee waivers.  Families who qualify for free and reduced lunches meet eligibility criteria. Additionally, if your family is experiencing financial hardship, students should contact their college and career counselor to discuss fee waiver eligibility. For details on if you qualify, visit the links below.

ACT FEE WAIVERS

SAT FEE WAIVERS

AP FEE WAIVERS

Colleges and universities offer a wide variety of support programs for students with disabilities; however, no two schools are identical in their programs or processes. Below are descriptions of three categories of student services. The best way to determine whether a school's support services are right for you is to visit the school and speak directly with the support office staff. For tips on what questions to ask when evaluating a school's services, see Tips for the College Search.

Basic Services

Schools that fall into this category comply with accommodations required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Each school creates their own guidelines for "reasonable accommodations" and require official documentation from students before considering their need for accommodations. If attending this type of school, students will need to be strong self-advocates to ensure that they get the support that they need, and also maintain open communication with professors. No additional admissions materials are needed for LD services; students should send their official documentation directly to support services after enrolling. Typically, these schools will provide a writing center or tutoring available to the entire student body and there is no additional cost for these academic services. Typical accommodations include but are not limited to:

• Taped texts
• Readers
• Note-takers
• Extended time
• Audio books
• Small group testing

Coordinated Services

A majority of colleges and universities fall into this category. If a student is approved for accommodations, support services will notify faculty on behalf of the student, but the student will need to advocate and follow up with each professor. Schools will have a Learning Center with services specifically for identified students. The Learning Center may be staffed by specialists or professionals who can work with students individually or in small groups; however, students will not have single service provider with whom they work with routinely. There is typically no cost for these programs; however, there may be additional services provided on a fee for service basis. Additional accommodations include:

• Organizational assistance
• Group workshops
• Course substitutions
• Pre-enrollment preparation

Structured/Comprehensive Services

This is the highest level of support offered at the college level for students with learning disabilities. These programs may have a separate admissions process and/or additional fees. These programs will have several specialists on staff as well as professional tutors available to students. Students will be assigned to an advisor and will meet with that staff member on a regular basis. Students are asked to be involved in developing their support plan, and are encouraged to wean themselves from this level of support as they progress through college. Additional accommodations include:

• Classes taught at the LD Center
• Monitoring of grades
• Notification of faculty
• Monitoring of attendance
• Feedback to parents
• Priority registration

If a student receives school-based testing accommodations, they may be eligible for accommodations for the PSATs, SATs, ACTs, and AP Exams. It is important for students and families to understand that determination of accommodations for standardized testing is not made by Radnor. If a student has an IEP or a 504, the case manager will assist the student in applying for accommodations, but the final decision lies with the testing agency. Typically, the following materials must be sent in with the request for accommodations:

• Documentation including psycho-educational evaluation (within 3 - 5 years old) and the IEP or 504
• Specific Diagnosis
• History
• Tests of cognitive ability and academic achievement
• Specific recommendations based on functional limitations
• Use of testing accommodations ion school setting
• Evaluator's credentials

If one of these pieces is missing from a student's request, it is likely that they will not be approved for accommodations.

If you currently have an IEP or a 504 plan, contact your case manager to begin the process of applying for accommodations. Please not that the process can take up to 8 weeks to reach a decision, so plan early! To read more about the process for applying for accommodations or determination of accommodations, please see the links below.

• College Board - Services for Students with Disabilities

  College Board accommodations apply to PSATs, SATs and AP Exams.

• ACT - Services for Examinees with Disabilities

If you know that you are going to require supports at the college level, it is important for you to include a thorough investigation of support services available at the colleges to which you might apply. The supports required by each student is varied, so it is important to reflect on your own needs and challenges, as well as what supports have worked for you at the high school level, before you begin to look into what supports are available at each school. You want to have a clear picture of what you need to be successful so that you can evaluate whether that school is right for you.

It is recommended that you include a visit to the support services office when visiting a college campus. Below are some guiding questions that students can ask when speaking with a support staff member.

Preliminary Questions

1. Do full-time professionals staff the program? What are their qualifications?
2. What documentation do you require for accommodations? How current should it be?
3. If I am approved for accommodations, how will I be notified? What are my responsibilities for making sure that I receive these services?
4. Who is responsible for arranging accommodations?
5. What is the advisory system for students with disabilities? What do the advisors help the student do?
6. Is there an active support group on campus for students with disabilities?
7. How well-informed are professors in working with students with disabilities? What procedures are in place if a professor is not accommodating?
8. How many students receive accommodations? Is it possible for me to get in touch with one of them?
9. Are the classrooms, buildings and dormitories physically accessible?

Detailed Questions

1. What accommodations are available?
2. Are waivers granted to students who cannot pass certain courses, such as foreign language because of a disability?
3. Does the college provide adequate assistive technology as well as training on how to use it?
4. Where do students take tests with accommodations? How is this arranged?
5. How is the need for class notes met for qualifying students? Are note takers trained?
6. Does the college provide printed materials in alternative formats?
7. What kind of tutoring is available? Is there a fee?
8. Are there workshops offered for study skills or writing skills?
9. Are there counseling services provided to students? Is there a fee?
10. Is there anything that students with disabilities should know regarding the admissions process?
11. Do you have statistics on graduation rates for students with disabilities?
12. Are there provisions made for having to miss class due to a disability or medical condition?
13. What services are offered for an additional cost?

Questions taken from Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling, 4th Edition (2015): Students with Learning Disabilities and the College Application Process, Terence J. Houlihan.

Many student services office will not evaluate a student's documentation until after the student has been admitted to the college or university. Once the student enrolls in the college or university, they should review the process of applying for accommodations on the school's website, because each school may have a different process. Typically, students will have to submit current documentation (usually within 3 years) which includes a specific diagnosis, which is then reviewed by a staff member before accommodations are granted. Colleges are answering three things when reviewing documentation:

1. Is the disability supported by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
2. Is the impairment substantially limiting to the student's life?
3. What are the appropriate and reasonable accommodations?

The student should reach out to the disability office to understand the nature of the accommodations, the process that the student must follow in order to use the accommodations, and other responsibilities that fall on the student.

Self-Advocacy is key!

Print Resources

K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities (or ADHD), The Princeton Review

The College Sourcebook for Students with Learning and Developmental Differences, Midge Lipkin

Applying to College for Students with ADD or LD: A Guide to Keep You (and Your Parents) Sane, Satisfied, and Organized Though the Admission Process, B. Grossberg

Online Resources

• ADDitute: Stategies and Support for LD and ADHD

• College Academic Support

• LD Online

• The National Center for Learning Disabilities

• College Planning Resources for students with Disabilities

• ThinkCollege