Frontier High School College Planning

Standardized Testing

Just as the GPA and Class Rank are used to compare students who attend the same high school and have exposure to identical scholastic educational opportunities, standardized tests are used to provide a nationwide comparison of prospective juniors and seniors in their ability to perform college level work. We recommend that juniors who plan on applying to four year colleges take both the SAT and the ACT in the spring of their junior year. Try both tests and see which one you do best on. You can always take them again in the very early fall of senior year. December of senior year is typically the latest test date utilized by seniors.

Pre-ACT

The Pre-ACT contains questions similar to those which are asked on the ACT therefore providing students with the opportunity to become more comfortable with standardized testing methods and conditions. It is a comprehensive guidance resource that helps students measure their current academic development, explore career/training options, and make plans for the remaining years of high school and post-graduation years.
Students will sign up to take the Pre-ACT in the spring of their Sophomore year. Counselors go into the sophomore English classes to pass out information about this opportunity. Information will also be sent out about online registration at the Frontier website. Be sure to check your email.

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)

The PSAT is considered practice for the SAT I Reasoning Test. This test contains questions similar to that which are asked on the SAT therefore providing students with the opportunity to become more comfortable with the standardized testing methods and conditions. Although PSAT results are not examined during the college application procedure, students who score extremely high on the PSAT's become qualifiers for the National Merit Scholarships.
The PSAT is taken primarily by juniors in the fall. Counselors go into the junior English classes in the fall to discuss this opportunity. Information is also sent out about online registration at the Frontier website. Be sure to check your email.

SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test)

The SAT is an admission exam required of students applying to some four-year colleges/universities. It is designed to measure the aptitude of high school students with regard to their ability to perform college level work. The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600. The test includes an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and a Math section.
Students should take the SAT in the Spring of their junior year after taking the PSAT.
If students are not satisfied with test results, they will have the opportunity to take the SAT a second time in the Fall of their senior year
SAT Test Prep can be found here at Khan Academy
Frontier typically offers the SAT in November and May. See the Collegeboard website for deadlines and registration information.
Remember there are registration deadlines typically about a month before the test date.
Website: sat.org/register
Be sure to have your test scores sent to the colleges you are applying to. You can request a limited number of free score reports when you register for the test. SAT and ACT scores are NOT listed on a Frontier transcript so it is your responsibility to have the testing agency send your scores.
Collegeboard no longer offers SAT Subject Tests or the SAT with Essay.
Fee Waiver information:
- Students must log in to their Collegeboard account
- go to MySAT
- Fill out a fee waiver form
- List an adult who can verify eligibility (administrator, school counselor, parent)
- That person will then get an email to verify eligibility
- **This process can take up to 2 weeks so it can not be done last minute

ACT (American College Test)

This test is scored within the range of 1 through 36 with 36 indicating a perfect score. The ACT is considered an interchangeable substitute for the SAT. It is designed to measure your knowledge of specific subjects such as English, Reading, Science and Math. There is also an "optional" writing test that Frontier students are encouraged to take.
Students are encouraged to follow the same time frame for scheduling the ACT as that which was specified for the SAT. It is important to note that frequent test taking breeds familiarity with question format as well as test taking conditions. This increased comfort level may lead to an improvement in test scores. Although colleges will have access to your test scores, the majority of colleges will consider only your highest score for admission purposes.
Click here to visit the ACT Website
Frontier typically offers the ACT in both October and June. See the ACT website for deadlines and registration info.
Be sure to have your test scores sent to the colleges you are applying to if required. You can request a limited number of free score reports when you register for the test. SAT and ACT scores are NOT listed on a Frontier transcript so it is your responsibility to have the testing agency send your scores.
Take an ACT practice test HERE

NOTE: Whenever you take an SAT or ACT, have the scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges that you are considering. When you register for an SAT or ACT you can select four colleges/universities to receive score reports. Take advantage of these free score reports if needed when you register to test. If you wait until after you test to have score reports sent, there will be a fee involved per school.

Important information for Special Education Students Testing for the First Time

Special education students who wish to receive the services and accommodations specified on their Individualized Education Plan on the PSAT or SAT, must also pick up a Consent Form for Request for Accommodations. Students and parents should sign the release and return it to the Student Service Center. Once you have been approved, you will receive a letter of approval and SSD Code to include with regular SAT testing registration materials whenever you register for retesting by mail or online. Special Ed students wishing to receive test mods on the ACT can go to www.actstudent.org and click on "Accommodations" to find their options.