US Admissions Tests

US Admissions Testing - It is the STUDENT'S responsibility to register and report to universities!

Most students applying to the US will need to take the SAT or the ACT. Students who do not speak English as a first language typically need to take the TOEFL or IELTS.

Testing Requirements and Recommendations by US Higher Education Institutions are constantly changing and there is a general trend toward increased flexibility. Students and families are encouraged to ensure the information is correct by looking at individual school websites.

Whichever standardized test students take to fulfill US college admissions requirements, they and their families must understand that it is their responsibility to register for these external exams (done online and requires a credit card) and to ensure that official scores are sent to the universities a student has applied to (also done online for a cost per university) by the application deadline. Follow the directions on the College Board (SAT) or ACT website for further information.

SAT

March 2016 marks the release of a new SAT Reasoning Test. There are now only two required sections (Critical Reading/Writing and Math), and an optional essay. The total points for each of the two sections is 800, and the overall possible points are out of 1600. The SAT puts a stronger emphasis on vocabulary than the ACT, but this updated version does so through reading passages instead of strictly vocabulary questions. There is no longer a penalty for wrong answers. Collegeboard has partnered with Khan Academy to offer free, online, test preparation.

Register and pay the registration fee online (credit card required). SAT without writing $78.00 , SAT with writing: $89.50 Subject Test Fee: $97 (two tests)

Transportation will be provided by the college for these dates-- to Colegio Britanico tests center

SAT Subject Tests

SAT Subject Tests are 60-minute, multiple choice tests focusing on a single subject. To learn more about what Subject Tests are offered, click here.

Many college and universities have become "test-flexible" which means they will accept a range of different standardized testing options, so research much be done. Information about Subject Test requirements as of October 2015 can be found here. A small group of highly selective universities, including many Ivy League universities, have additional testing requirements beyond the SAT Reasoning Test.

Up to three SAT subject tests may be taken on the same day, although it is not possible to take both the SAT Reasoning Test and Subject Tests together. We advise students to plan to take SAT Subject Tests, if needed, in October or November of Year 2. Language tests with a Listening component are offered only in November. You can register for SAT Subject Tests in the same way as for the SAT Reasoning Test.

Students should consider the ACT (see below) as an alternative to taking both the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT Subject Tests. A small group of universities require SAT Subjects even when as student submits the ACT with Writing. See here for more information, but know that requirements change and the best source of information about current testing policies is a university's website, not third-party sites.

SAT/ACT Optional Colleges

Several studies have suggested that the SAT/ACT is not a strong predictor of college success. For a list of more than 800 US colleges and universities where submitting standardized testing is optional, click here.

ACT

Students should seriously consider the ACT, a standardized test that is an alternative to the SAT. It is offered in September, October, December, April & June. Virtually all colleges and universities will accept the ACT with Writing instead of the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests. Some students find that the ACT is more straight-forward and content-based than the SAT Reasoning Test. It contains similar sections to the SAT Reasoning Test, along with a Science section. It is scored out of a possible 36 points. Taking the ACT can, for many students, mean that their standardized testing for US universities is completed in just one sitting. This can save students time and energy away from their IB studies. It is important to check college websites for specific requirements. For more information about the ACT, click here.