Testing
PSAT/SAT/ACT
Table of Contents
College Info Subpages
AP Exam Prep
AP Exam Preparation
Mini-AP exam readiness quizzes (approx. 10 mins) and practice exams for 6 key subjects:
APUSH
AP Bio
AP Chem
AP Calc AB
AP Calc BC
AP Physics
We also have self-proctor guides available (as some AP teachers wanted to give the practice tests as optional homework, etc.) If you're interested, please let me know, and I can send you the process for taking async.
3-part AP Exam Video Series to share with your families: Quick, info-packed videos (under 5 min. each) about the AP exams, scoring, and prep strategies.
Free Family Webinar: Parents can register for our Unlocking the AP Exams webinar to uncover college preferences, recent exam changes, and effective student preparation strategies. If they can't attend live and still want the info, have them register, and we'll send them the recording.
Testing Overview
Fall 2024 Applicants (Current Seniors)
CSUs: CSUs will NOT consider SAT or ACT test scores for admissions.
UCs: UCs will NOT consider SAT or ACT test scores for admissions.
If a student submits test scores, they may be used to determine your eligibility for the California statewide admissions guarantee, as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.
Private and Out-of-State Colleges / Universities: Many private colleges and universities are test optional. Out-of-state public colleges will vary on testing requirements. **Some schools have gone back to requiring test scores (e.g. MIT, Georgia Tech). Check individual school admissions websites for information.
Some schools may use test scores for scholarships (e.g. HBCUs).
Military Academies/ROTC Scholarships:
Military Academies and ROTC programs may require test scores. Check with individual academies/programs for information. More information to follow.
What does "TEST OPTIONAL" mean?
You choose whether or not to submit SAT/ACT scores with your application.
If you are unable or choose not to submit test scores, your application will still receive full consideration.
Applicants will not be penalized in the admission review process if they don't submit SAT/ACT scores.
All applications are evaluated equally, whether or not they have test scores.
So... should you take the SAT/ACT?
If the school/program you are applying for requires it, yes. You may need to take it at a later date. Talk to admissions officers to find out about extensions.
If you are applying to HBCUs, yes. It can help you get scholarships.
If you are a good test taker and/or feel that your GPA is not where you want it to be, yes. If you have a good score it may help your application.
Please contact Ms. Zuckerbrow with any questions. Check the Calendar page for zoom drop-in hours.
Testing Updates
SAT Updates
College Board Will No Longer Offer SAT Subject Tests or SAT with Essay: https://blog.collegeboard.org/January-2021-sat-subject-test-and-essay-faq
COVID-19 updates: https://pages.collegeboard.org/sat-covid-19-updates
Test center closures: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/test-center-closings
ACT Updates
$5 Off of ACT Registration: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18jbqBZrwjxxTTnNCOP5o66kDwPqWbpx9/view?usp=sharing
ACT
COVID-19 updates: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/covid19.html
Test Dates & Registration:
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
SAT
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
COVID-19 updates: https://pages.collegeboard.org/sat-covid-19-updates
Test dates and registration:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines
SAT vs ACT
Read about the differences: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/act-vs-sat-how-to-decide-which-test-to-take.
See a comparison of SAT and ACT: https://www.veritasprep.com/act-sat-prep/sat-vs-act-comparison-tool/.
Test Prep
Note: CVHS is not able to endorse or promote specific test prep companies but are sharing links as resources for families to research.
There are free online resources such as https://www.khanacademy.org/sat, https://academy.act.org/, https://www.powerscore.com/sat/help/content_practice_tests.cfm and https://www.prepfactory.com/.
Test prep companies may offer free online practice tests or free sessions from time to time, such as Revolution Prep, Princeton Review, and Kaplan. There are local test prep tutoring companies as well.
People's Test Preparation Service (non-profit in Berkeley): free test preparation at https://ptps.berkeley.edu/enroll.html.
Study Point: Free virtual practice tests every week. Anyone who participates will also receive a free score analysis that breaks down how you did by section, question type, and content area so you can get a sense for where you might want to do some review prior to the real thing. View available dates and register for a test at https://site.studypoint.com/virtual-practice-tests.
Princeton Review practice tests and workshops
Free test prep resources at Magoosh:
Test prep guide
Revolution Prep has put together a short guide to help your families plan for the upcoming season of SATs & ACTs .
To download your own copy of the guide and get started planning visit: https://www.revolutionprep.com/resources/guide-to-preparing-for-the-sat-and-act/
Practice Questions on YouTube from Kaplan
Shmoop Test Prep
Castro Valley High School is partnered with Shmoop to provide students with personalized test prep resources!
Customized Test Prep Programs! Scan the QR Codes to Get Started!
Shmoop Test Readiness Programs! Follow the instructions to register!
Start working towards a higher SAT score with Kaplan's Question a Day
You’ll get an SAT question delivered right to your inbox, complete with a detailed answer explanation.
Sign up HERE
How to Access your PSAT Scores
Students should receive an email with a link to create a CollegeBoard account along with an access code. Once logged in, you should be able to view and download your scores with the access code.
Log in or create an account at https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home.
More info at https://parents.collegeboard.org/college-board-programs/psat-nmsqt
Note: if you listed your school email, you may not receive your access code.