Standardized Testing
A major component of a college application is a student’s standardized test scores. Most schools will accept the ACT and/or SAT. Students will have the opportunity to take the SAT practice test (PSAT) starting in your freshman year. Junior year is the most common time that students will take their first real ACT and/or SAT test. Click on the tests below to read more about each one.
Are you eligible for Free/Reduced lunch? If so, you are eligible for 2 ACTs and 2 SATs for FREE to be used during your Junior and/or Senior year. You can also apply to many colleges and universities using a fee waiver. For more information or to receive your testing waivers, please stop by Mrs. Black’s office during your lunch period.
A major component of a college application is a student’s standardized test scores. Most schools will accept the ACT and/or SAT. Students will have the opportunity to take the SAT practice test (PSAT) starting in your freshman year. Junior year is the most common time that students will take their first real ACT and/or SAT test. Click on the tests below to read more about each one.
Are you eligible for Free/Reduced lunch? If so, you are eligible for 2 ACTs and 2 SATs for FREE to be used during your Junior and/or Senior year. You can also apply to many colleges and universities using a fee waiver. For more information or to receive your testing waivers, please stop by Mrs. Black’s office during your lunch period.
The SAT & ACT both began in the 1920’s. The SAT was mainly administered on the east coast and west coast. The ACT was mainly in the middle of the country. As years have gone by the tests have grown to both being administered all over the US, and both exams accepted by 99% of the colleges in the U.S. The tests have become more similar in recent years. The SAT Test is comprised of a Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and a Math section with a top score of 800 for each section. The ACT is comprised of four subject areas – English, Mathematics, Reading and Science Reasoning, with a top score of 36 in each area. These four scores are averaged to create a Composite Score. The essays are optional now on both test, so check college websites to determine if it is a requirement. We recommend that students take each test at least once to determine which test they do better on. Student test scores must be sent from the test company to each college. It is recommended to begin taking tests in the spring of junior year, and continue to test throughout the spring, and possibly the fall of senior year. Most colleges will take the highest scores from multiple test dates of the SAT (superscoring) and some college superscore the ACT. You can find more information, as well as test registration, on these websites below for each test. Be sure
A very small number (approximately fifteen this year) of colleges still require this test, formerly called the SAT II. Additionally, some colleges which require the SAT Subject Tests will accept the ACT Test in lieu of the SAT Subject Tests. If you are in AP courses in 9th or 10th grade, you may decide to take the corresponding SAT Subject Test in June of that year. Otherwise, the June test date of your junior year is the optimal time to take these tests if you need to. They are on the same day as the SAT Test are an hour each, and you can take up to three tests on one test date.
Sunlake offers its students 22 different AP courses, culminating in exams, which allow students to earn college credit, placement, or both. On college websites you can check to see how many college credits you will be awarded for AP test scores of 3 or higher. AP courses prepare students for the rigor of college courses, and also demonstrate to colleges that students are willing to pursue the most rigorous high school curriculum available. AP test scores are only sent to the college which the student will attend, they are not sent to colleges during the application process. However, some applications do allow you to report your AP scores. If so, DEFINITELY report them. If you don’t the college will assume you had a very low score.
