Standardized Testing
TYPES OF TESTS
ACT
Despite the longstanding cultural legacy of the SAT, the ACT currently has the largest market share of any standardized test. Colleges view it and the SAT equally.
The ACT is divided into four sections: Reading, English, Math, and Science, with an optional Writing component. Aside from the presence of a Science section and slight differences in content with the SAT, the main difference between the ACT and SAT is in pacing: the ACT gives much less time per question than the SAT does. This means that preparation for the ACT will focus more on test-taking strategies than the SAT.
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP tests are designed to be the culminating exam for their respective AP courses, which are intended to be equivalent in rigor to an introductory college course. The content and format of each test differs depending on the subject, so if you are taking an AP or Advanced course at Greenhills, the best person to talk to about preparation is your teacher.
Colleges also do not require AP exams, though policies differ, and some schools prefer to see them where possible. Please be aware that colleges’ policies on accepting AP credits vary widely. If you have questions about whether or not taking an AP exam is right for you, talk to your teacher and your college counselor.
Please note: Greenhills' official policy for the 2020-2021 school year is that students are not obligated to take AP exams.
SAT
The SAT was formerly the only game in town when it came to standardized testing. Since the ACT’s rise in popularity, the SAT has changed its format to be more similar to the ACT. It consists of two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, which is divided further into a Reading test and a Writing & Language Test; and Math. (Note: the SAT format will be familiar to students who have taken the PSAT in 10th and 11th grade.)
In comparison to the ACT, students have more time per question on the SAT. That said, the questions typically have more layers than ACT questions and will require more thought.
PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10
The format and problems on the tests are the same and are similar overall to the format of the SAT. The primary difference between the PSAT and SAT is that the maximum score on the PSAT is 1520, while on the SAT it is 1600.
The two versions of the PSAT are administered in October of sophomore (PSAT 10) and junior years (PSAT/NMSQT). The main difference between them is that the 11th grade PSAT/NMSQT is used for assessing National Merit Scholarship qualification. (In fact, NMSQT stands for “National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.”) The PSAT 10 is purely for practice.
PSAT scores are not considered in any way when colleges make decisions. However, students have the option to sign up for the Student Search Service, which will provide colleges with students’ scores and basic information that they will use to send emails.
TESTING CALENDARS
ACCESSING AND SENDING YOUR SCORES
TESTING POLICIES AND GUIDES
TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES
NAVIGATING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS
PRESENTED BY COMPASS EDUCATION GROUP
This recording is a presentation by Compass Education Group, in which they dive deep into the issues surrounding the most common concerns about standardized testing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which test(s) should I take?
The short answer is: whichever one(s) you feel you can do best on. Students take the PSAT in October of their sophomore and junior years, while Greenhills offers practice ACTs in November and March. These can be great opportunities for students to get a taste of what each test is like and decide which to focus on. Students can also take free practice tests for the ACT and SAT online.
Once you decide which test to focus on, it’s best to devote your time and energy to just that test. Colleges have no preference for one test over the other. If you send colleges both ACT and SAT scores, they will use a concordance table to determine which score is higher and focus on that in making their decision.
When do students test? How many times do they test?
Typically, students take at least one official test between the summer before junior year and the second semester of the same year. Taking a test in this time establishes a baseline and gives students an understanding of what, if anything, they will need to do to achieve the best score that is realistic for them. Some students prepare to take the test in the spring of junior year. Fall of senior year can be a good time to retake a test before college deadlines, but it is generally not recommended to take a test for the first time in the fall.
We recommend that students not take a given test more than three times. A sizable body of research at this point shows that after the third time, a student is unlikely to increase their score further.
When is the earliest I should start preparing for testing?
For most students, the best time to begin preparation will be no earlier than spring of sophomore year. It is not necessary, and can be counter-productive, to begin preparing for tests in freshman year. If you have questions about what the appropriate timeline is for you, talk to your college counselor.
How does test prep work?
Studies show that prioritizing school work pays the greatest dividends in college admission; sometimes this effect carries over to standardized tests. That said, because test scores are often as much a matter of learning to test under test conditions as academic preparation, some degree of test prep is appropriate for most students.
The most effective way to increase your score is to take practice tests under test conditions. Find some free practice tests and take each section under the time limit imposed on the actual test. If you find that additional tutoring would be helpful, there is no shortage of opportunities for paid test prep. Greenhills College Counseling has a partnership with Compass Education Group, and you may find that Compass meets your need for an individual tutor.
All this said, test prep itself is only useful if students invest in it. Make sure that, whichever route you choose, you make the most of the opportunity to prepare.
What are good resources to prepare for the ACT and SAT?
The first step is to check out the free resources available. The ACT website has free practice ACTs.
The College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to provide free SAT preparation, including practice problems and practice tests.
Finally, Greenhills has a partnership with Compass Education group because of our shared testing philosophy (i.e., don’t test too much). Compass will provide a free practice test to each Greenhills student, and they also offer individualized tutoring for a fee.
When is the last time I should test?
Many Greenhills students have at least one application due on or before November 1, meaning that the October test dates are generally the latest advisable. For some students, it may be worth retesting in November or December, using subsequent scores to strengthen applications with January and later deadlines.
How do I register for tests?
You can register for the tests at www.actstudent.org (ACT) or www.collegeboard.org (SAT). You’ll need to set up an account with the appropriate agency before you can sign up for the test. Try to make your username and password something you’ll remember--later on, you’ll need to go through your portal to send your scores to colleges.
What do I do if I need accommodations?
If you know or believe you will use testing accommodations but have not yet checked with the Learning Center, please do so. They will assist you in getting approved for extra time.
What is test-optional admissions?
A college that advertises a “test-optional” admission procedure means that students are not required to submit standardized tests in order to apply for or receive admission.
Nearly 1000 colleges outlined at http://www.fairtest.org/ openly weigh other factors than testing more strongly when reviewing applications; sometimes do not require tests at all; or allow students to substitute other work (e.g. graded papers.) for standardized testing.
Does “test-optional” really mean optional?
Yes. Read this article from the National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) about the commitment of colleges to be test optional in the current climate.