Admissions testing – US

Testing Requirements and Recommendations by US Higher Education Institutions are constantly changing; currently the vast majority of Common App universities have test-optional policies.   In some cases different policies apply for US citizens and international students.  Students and families are encouraged to ensure the information they rely on is correct by looking at individual university websites for their latest policies. 

How to register

If students elect to take standardized test, they and their families must understand that it is their responsibility to,

• register for these external exams (done online at external websites and requires a credit card) and 

• Ensure that official scores are sent (also done online for a cost per university) by the application deadline, if required (many universities  allow students to self-report and send official scores only upon enrolment) 

UWCSEA East campus is a closed test site for the SAT exams so it will appear as option for a testing centre only for students who list it as their high school when registering for the  SAT.  

 Each student taking a standardized exam must present an Admission Ticket with acceptable photo ID to enter the test center.   Learn more about ACT photo requirements and SAT photo requirements.  

ACT 

The ACT is administered by external organisations in Singapore and is not offered on our campus. The method of testing  is computer based.  It will be offered on both Fridays and Saturdays; however students will not be excused from school so must register for Saturday sittings. Students will get their multiple choice question results back in 2 or 3 days and their essay section results roughly 20 days after testing.  For more information about the ACT, click here.  

ACT 2024-2025 -  June 7-8, 2024,  July 12-13,2024, Sept 14, 2024, 26 Oct 2024, 14 Dec 2024, 8 Feb 2025, 4 Apr 2025, 14 June 2025, 12 July, 2025. All off-site.   

SAT 

Some students may prefer to take the SAT.   For some exams, UWCSEA East invites Testtakers test prep company to offer a course on our campus.  Details of Testtakers' next six-week prep course for the SAT are here.

SAT 2024-2025 -  Aug 24, 2024; Oct 5, 2024; Nov 2, 2024 (not offered at East campus); Dec 7, 2024; Mar 8, 2025; May 3, 2025 (not offered at East campus); June 7, 2025.

When should I test?

Students interested in the United States should endeavor to complete standardised testing during their Grade 11 year or by October of Grade 12.  We do not recommend taking standardised testing before December of Grade 11.  The UAC recommends the following testing plan: 

1. SAT - December or March of Grade 11

2.  Repeat: SAT (if needed) - June of Grade 11 or the following August (Grade 12)

If you decide on your own to take the SAT in May or November, please be aware that we are not offering these tests on East Campus and that you will need to register early to obtain a seat elsewhere at a Singapore test center.  Open test centres often fill very soon after Registration opens.

Should I take both the ACT and the SAT? 

There is no need to take both the ACT and the SAT exams.   We recommend students familiarise themselves with one format, and concentrate efforts on preparing for that type of exam.  Some students will do a 'diagnostic' test or practice test of each one, and then decide which is best for them. 

What happens when I get my scores? 

Most US colleges no longer require official copies of scores be sent to them directly from the testing agency.  However, if official scores are needed, UWCSEA and your counsellor cannot do this for you - the student is the owner of the scores and has the exclusive power to share them.  You must request online that the ACT or the College Board (SAT) forward your score to the colleges and universities you are applying to, either before you take the test (you get 4 free official score reports if you request them at the time you register) or after you have received your scores (at a cost per university).   Follow the instructions on the ACT and College Board websites. 

Here is an SAT/ACT Concordance Table.    

How can I prepare?  

While both the ACT and the SAT are intended to be aptitude tests, there is plenty of data to prove that preparation can improve scores.  We highly recommend that students prepare for each exam they take.  

• There are SAT and ACT preparation books for self-study (e.g., Barrons, Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc.) that can be found in the library, purchased at Kinokuniya or online.  

• Khan Academy offers free online tutorials for the newly revised SAT.  

• TestTakers, an independent Test Preparation company in Singapore, has in the past offered a customised program for students at UWCSEA-East Campus before certain SAT and ACT Tests.  This program runs for six weeks prior to the exam for several hours each weekend.  Programs will be advertised to Grade 11 and 12 students and will run if there is sufficient demand. 

Do I have to take the SAT/ACT to apply to US colleges?  

The vast majority of US colleges and universities remain test-optional.  The University of California system is test-blind, meaning they do not use testing as part of their selection process.  The states of Georgia,  Florida and Texas have reinstated a standardized testing requiremnt for admissions to all public universities in those states.  As of May 2024, these popular universities require standardized testing:  Brown, Dartmouth (for US residents), Georgetown, MIT, Yale, CalTech, Purdue.  Policies continue to be in a state of flux, so it is essential to research and identify your own needs.  For information about US universities' testing policies and the latest updates, click here.

English language proficiency requirements

US colleges and universities have varying policies on what they will accept as proof of English language proficiency.   Check with individual universities.  Some colleges will require TOEFL/IELTS scores although they do not require ACT/SAT scores - do not assume that a "Test Optional" policy includes a waiver of evidence of English proficiency.  

Generally, students who have not studied in an English-medium high school since Grade 9 or students taking IB English B should plan to take either the TOEFL or IELTS or Duolingo English test.  If your passport is from a non-English speaking country (Americans put Singapore and India in this category!), you should check requirements.  Some Midwestern public universities (e.g., UIUC) require English proficiency tests even from US citizens studying the IB in Singapore.  If needed, we recommend TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo be taken in the summer before Grade 12 or by October of Grade 12.