ACT & SAT Information
Update: UNC Board Of Governors have indicated that UNC admissions will not require submission of SAT or ACT scores for 2023-2024 applicants.
Pre-ACT
ALL 10th graders will be automatically registered to take the Pre-ACT in October. This is a practice test for the real ACT and gives students helpful feedback on their predicted score range as well as areas for improvement. 10th Graders will take the Pre-ACT during the school day. The date will be announced soon. Visit ACTstudent.org for more information.
ACT
ALL 11th graders will be automatically registered to take the ACT in late February/early March. This is a college aptitude test, and students can send their scores to college for admission consideration. 11th Graders will take the ACT during the school day. The date will be announced soon. If students wish to take the ACT again, they can register and pay online to take the test on a Saturday. Visit ACTstudent.org for more information.
PSAT
10th and 11th graders have the option to register and pay to take the PSAT in October. This is a practice test for the real SAT and gives students helpful feedback on their predicted score range as well as areas for improvement. Registered students will take the PSAT during the school day. Visit CollegeBoard.org for more information.
SAT
11th and 12th Graders have the option to register and pay to take the SAT. This is a college aptitude test, and students can send their scores to college for admission consideration. The SAT is only administered on Saturdays, and students must register on online. Visit CollegeBoard.org for more information and to register.
To see if you qualify for a fee waiver, please see your counselor.
ACT and SAT Concordance Table: How do your ACT/SAT scores compare to each other?
Deciding whether or not to take the SAT/ACT again?
It all depends on the colleges you are considering. A 23 on the ACT or a 1200 on the SAT may be above average at one university but below average at another. Therefore, the higher your score, the more options are open to you. The higher, the better. Above average SAT/ACT scores will improve your chances of getting into more selective schools.
You can overcome low scores with good grades or an outstanding application. But even if you're accepted by a four-year college, the school may advise or require you to take some remedial courses as a freshman.
Not sure where you stand? Most colleges publish admission data regarding the previous year's freshman class. Or, check out the range of scores for North Carolina colleges and universities here.
Unless you pulled in a perfect score, you can always improve. Some students are confident that their numbers are high enough to get them into the college of their choice. But unless you're an honorary member of the admissions committee, you never know.
A good SAT score or ACT score can also help you snag additional scholarship money. Even if you have already been accepted to a college, you may want to consider taking the test again (say, in December or January of senior year) for that reason.
Be prepared! Check out these links:
PSAT (Pre-SAT) Khan Academy Prep
PLAN (Pre-ACT) ACT Prep
CFNC ACT & SAT Resources
Prepaze Free SAT Prep DSAT