Intro: Mapping Your Road

college thinking for HS sophomores

College still seems so far away even for a HS sophomore. But note that every grade counts. So do you best in high school. Colleges look at every grade.

Use your sophomore year to map out your college plans

Meet with Your Guidance Department:
design an academic blueprint for your sophomore, junior and senior years that ensure that you complete all of the required courses for college entrance.
Develop Strong Academic Skills:
continue developing those all important vocabulary, math, reading and problem-solving skills

amazon bestsellers: study guides
Become familiar with the college entrance exams:
namely the SAT and/or ACT. Plan to take some practice tests using PSAT practice booklets (see below).
Develop those All-Important Extracurricular Skills:
colleges love students who not only have strong academic backgrounds but also students who show interest in outside activities.
Become familiar with the College Planning Process:
link through the college planning calendar for juniors and seniors to get an idea what you need to do. See college planning calendar
Start Saving Your Money:
every dime counts when you think about college costs and personal needs. Having a cash fund will make college a fun experience.

	amazon bestsellers: study guides

Next Topic: Review College Exams

Review College Exams

college thinking for HS sophomores

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Get with your guidance counselor (or teachers, if you don't have access to a guidance counselor) about the following college exams:

Advance Placement Exams:
you should consider taking Advanced Placement Exams or CLEP tests in your Junior and Senior years. This allows you to test out of some college courses that can save you time and money.

The exams are administered each year in the Spring with some preparation required prior to the exam. Check with your school for exam administration, enrollment and information.

Information about the advanced placement program:
the collegeboard administers the AP exams. This site has all the information you need including test programs and dates:
visit collegeboard.com for more information

View our advanced placement prep/study guides:
includes prep planning books and other reading materials that can help you with these exams: view AP prep
College Entrance Exams:
almost all colleges and some trade programs require a college entrance exam. These exams measure your ability to understand college-level materials. Most colleges require the SAT college exam; some require the ACT Assessment exam. A few college will require both exams. So check with your college which exam will be required.

You will take these exams in your junior year. So get some practice with the college entrance "preparation" exams. It will help on the day of the real exam.

More About These Exams

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Information about the advanced placement program:

The collegeboard administers the AP exams. This site has all the information you need including test programs and dates:
visit collegeboard.org for more information

View our advanced placement prep/study guides:
includes prep planning books and other reading materials that can help you with these exams:

amazon: AP exam prep

	amazon: AP exam prep

College Entrance Exams:

Almost all colleges and some trade programs require a college entrance exam. These exams measure your ability to understand college-level materials. Most colleges require the SAT college exam; some require the ACT Assessment exam. A few college will require both exams. So check with your college which exam will be required.

You will take these exams in your junior year with a possible retake in your senior year. You must take the exams in the Fall so that your scores can be sent to your schools.

amazon: SAT exam prep/samples

amazon: ACT exam prep/samples

	amazon: SAT exam prep/samples

	amazon: ACT exam prep/samples

Get some practice with the college entrance "preparation" exams

It will help on the day of the real exam.

Why take college prep exams:

to help prepare for the real test. You will be familiar with the type of questions being asked
to help you take tests under timelines. It is important that you work quickly so that you can complete the entire test.
to view your strengths and weaknesses for college study. You can then focus on areas to improve your skills.
to view how your performance compares with other students who are applying for college

About the SAT Tests

SAT Reasoning
The SAT Reasoning Test is a three-hour test that measures a student's ability to reason problems instead of general knowledge. It has three sections: writing, critical reading, and math. Most of the questions are multiple-choice.

SAT Subject Tests
The SAT Subject Tests measure the student's knowledge in specific subjects: English, mathematics, history, science, and languages. SAT Subject Tests are primarily multiple-choice, and each lasts one hour.

more information: collegeboard.org

Information about the PSAT (practice exams):
the PSAT is the test prep exam for the SAT tests. The PSAT is usually offered in October and November through your school. Check with your school counselor for dates.

more information: see collegeboard.org for information

About the ACT Tests
The ACT Assessment® is used by some colleges. The exam has four multiple-choice tests: English, reading, mathematics, and science reasoning.

more information: actstudent.org

ACT test preparation:
some colleges use the ACT test. You need to check your college to determine which test they use for admittance. Many students will take both the SAT and ACT so that they have the right exams for the college of their choice

more information: actstudent.org about ACT exams

Next Topic: Get to Know Yourself

Get To Know Yourself

college thinking for HS sophomores

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View some career and personal self-assessment tests to determine your aptitude and character for career opportunities. The last thing you want is to start college in a career that you will not like.

By understanding your personality type, it will help determine what career opportunity will bring you the most satisfaction.

Personality Information n' References

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Start with defining your personality type:

Take this online quiz to get a non-test based review of your personality type and careers that may be of interest personalitytype.com

another test-based online character assessment:
advisorteam.com

About self-assessment tests:

You can view more information about personal assessments and how they can measure your personality traits for jobs and other life-events:

Kinds of self assessment tests:
summary of personality assessment test and which tests work for careers:
humanmetrics.com

about the Myers & Briggs self assessment test:
myersbriggs.org
about the Keisey Temperament assessment:
keirsey.com

What to shape a better you?

How to build a well-rounded character:
discusses how planning, discipline and timely execution can build a better you for success:

FREE Download
Complete guide on discipline and character building. Has illustrations on the building blocks of success.

view "building success" module