Unit 3: Testing (ACT & SAT)

The majority of colleges require that applicants submit the results of an ACT or SAT. Since colleges will accept either, it may be in the student’s best interest to take both tests to determine which test allows them to achieve the higher score. It is recommended that students take the ACT or SAT test in the spring of their junior year. Students may optionally retake these tests in late spring through early fall and still be able to use these scores for fall college application deadlines.

All juniors take the state SAT during the regular school day (typically early April). This is an official SAT and can be sent to any college.

Students with active IEPs or 504s who receive testing accommodations must apply for ACT or SAT test accommodations at least six weeks before the registration deadline. Please see your counselor or case manager for more information.

Check the ACT or SAT website for additional test dates, registration deadlines and sites.

All colleges now accept either the SAT or the ACT as the primary test for admissions purposes and do not care which test you submit with your applications. There are differences between the ACT and SAT tests and students may score better on one test than the other. For this reason, some students take both tests. The SAT/ACT Score Comparison chart below can be used to compare the scores from the ACT and SAT.

A variety of test prep classes are offered privately, online, and through District 214 to help students prepare. Information will be sent home from your school's Assessment Center. Additional test prep is available online through the Khan Academy (khanacademy.org/sat).

The ACT consists of four testing areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Sub-scores ranging from 1-36 will be given in each of these areas as well as an overall composite score. The ACT includes an optional writing portion. Individual colleges determine whether they will require the ACT writing test. The national ACT is given on six Saturdays during the year.

The SAT contains a Reading, Writing and Language, and Math test . Students can use their PSAT score to predict how they may score on the SAT. The national SAT is given on seven Saturdays during the year. All juniors will take a practice SAT during the school day prior to the official SAT.

Preliminary SAT test scores (PSAT) are NOT reported to colleges but are good preparation for the SAT and predictive of a student’s expected SAT test range. The PSAT 8/9 is given to 8th or 9th graders. The PSAT 10 is given to 10th graders. Each PSAT has two sections: an Evidence-based Reading/Writing section and a Math section. The PSAT 8/9 scores range from 120-720 on each section for a maximum score of 1440. The PSAT 10 scores for each section range from 160- 760, adding up to a maximum score of 1520.

The PSAT/NMSQT is an optional PSAT 10 offered only in October and is open to sophomores and juniors. The PSAT/NMSQT is also the first step in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The highest scoring juniors will be designated as National Merit semi-finalists, asked to take an SAT Reasoning Test and fill out an application in order to be considered for the National Merit scholarship.

Each building has an Assessment Center and Coordinator. Visit your school's webpage for information from the Assessment Center or contact your school's Assessment Coordinator with questions.