There are standardized tests that all college bound students need to be aware of...
PSAT – Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test taken Sophomores & Junior year. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The College Board offers this test to sophomores and juniors. The scores from junior year are used (with the permission of the student) to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
SAT -- The SAT is a college entrance exam for which students will receive two scores, a reading/writing score and a math score for a combined total of 400 – 1600. The reading/writing section includes documents from various disciplines including science and social studies and students are asked to define vocabulary that is used commonly in college. The math questions focus on linear equations, complex equations and functions, ratios, percentages and proportional reasoning. Students are only allowed to use calculators on some of the math sections. Some math questions require a student produced response (there are not multiple choice answers). The essay portion is optional but colleges may require it.
SAT SUBJECT TEST-- The subject tests are one-hour tests measuring content knowledge in specific subjects. You may take up to three tests on one test date and there is a separate fee for each test. Many selective four-year colleges require two SAT Subject Tests. Tests are offered in Literature, Math Level I, Math Level 2, Biology E/M (Ecological or Molecular), Chemistry, Physics, United States History, World History, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin and Spanish. The language tests with a listening component are only offered in November.
ACT -- The ACT is a college entrance exam that consists of four primary test areas: English, which measures standard written English and rhetorical skills, Mathematics, which measures math typically taken up to the beginning of twelfth grade, Reading, which measures overall reading comprehension & Science Reasoning, which measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. An optional essay component is also available. Colleges may require the optional essay component. It's recommended that students take this test for the first time in spring of their junior year (April or June), and possibly again September or October of their senior year. In 2011, the ACT surpassed the SAT with more test takers.
PSAT – Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test taken Sophomores & Junior year. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The College Board offers this test to sophomores and juniors. The scores from junior year are used (with the permission of the student) to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
SAT -- The SAT is a college entrance exam for which students will receive two scores, a reading/writing score and a math score for a combined total of 400 – 1600. The reading/writing section includes documents from various disciplines including science and social studies and students are asked to define vocabulary that is used commonly in college. The math questions focus on linear equations, complex equations and functions, ratios, percentages and proportional reasoning. Students are only allowed to use calculators on some of the math sections. Some math questions require a student produced response (there are not multiple choice answers). The essay portion is optional but colleges may require it.
SAT SUBJECT TEST-- The subject tests are one-hour tests measuring content knowledge in specific subjects. You may take up to three tests on one test date and there is a separate fee for each test. Many selective four-year colleges require two SAT Subject Tests. Tests are offered in Literature, Math Level I, Math Level 2, Biology E/M (Ecological or Molecular), Chemistry, Physics, United States History, World History, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin and Spanish. The language tests with a listening component are only offered in November.
ACT -- The ACT is a college entrance exam that consists of four primary test areas: English, which measures standard written English and rhetorical skills, Mathematics, which measures math typically taken up to the beginning of twelfth grade, Reading, which measures overall reading comprehension & Science Reasoning, which measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. An optional essay component is also available. Colleges may require the optional essay component. It's recommended that students take this test for the first time in spring of their junior year (April or June), and possibly again September or October of their senior year. In 2011, the ACT surpassed the SAT with more test takers.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
You need to know that Standardized testing is changing and so is the necessary preparation. Students today need to stay abreast of these changes and make wise decisions on how to prepare and which test or tests they should take. There are also colleges that don't require a standardized test to apply. Below are some resources to help begin to sort out the testing process.
You need to know that Standardized testing is changing and so is the necessary preparation. Students today need to stay abreast of these changes and make wise decisions on how to prepare and which test or tests they should take. There are also colleges that don't require a standardized test to apply. Below are some resources to help begin to sort out the testing process.
- SAT Information: https://sat.collegeboard.org
- ACT Information: http://www.act.org
- Free SAT and ACT test preparation practice: www.number2.com
- The Princeton Review Test Prep: http://www.princetonreview.com
- Kaplan Test Prep: http://www.kaptest.com
- Kahn Academy Test Prep: https://www.khanacademy.org
- Colleges that do not require tests: http://www.fairtest.org
- Princeton Review Assessment Test: http://www.princetonreview.com/college/the-princeton-review-assessment.aspx