The College Board, SAT's and the ACT's are standardized college entrance exams. Scores for the SAT's and ACT's are placed on student's transcripts by request only. Please see your school counselor to include these scores on your transcript.
Standardized tests are used to provide a nationwide comparison of prospective juniors and seniors in their ability to perform college level work. With the exception of the PSAT, students can register for all of the standardized tests by registering online.
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is taken primarily by juniors in the fall and is considered practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. The PSAT 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. Register with the Hamburg Counseling Center.
SAT is designed to measure what you have learned in high school with regard to your ability to perform college level work. The SAT consists of three sections, reading, writing and language and math. It is now fully digital. The SAT also provides the opportunity for students to connect to scholarship opportunities, place out of certain college courses and learn more about your academic strengths. Students should take the SAT in the Spring of their junior year after taking the PSAT. By following this recommended time frame, a student who is yet to be satisfied with his/her test results is afforded the opportunity to take the SAT a second time in the Fall of their senior year.
"Score Choice" gives you the option to choose which SAT scores you want to send to schools from multiple test dates.
"Superscoring " is when schools will take the best section scores on separate test dates to be combined for a super score.
Some colleges and universities are test optional, meaning the schools do not use SAT or ACT scores in determining admission status. To see a list of schools go to fair test.
ACT (American College Test) is another College Entrance Exam. It is scored within the range of 1 through 36 with 36 indicating a perfect score. The national average falls around 21. Just as the SAT is designed to measure your ability to do general college work, the ACT measure your knowledge of specific subjects such as English, Reading, Science and Math. There is also an optional writing test (essay).
Almost any college will accept the results of either test. 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 can lead to an improvement in test scores.
Students should, at the very minimum, take the SAT and/or ACT once in their junior year.
Students have the option of what SAT and ACT test scores to have reported on their high school transcript. Please fill out the transcript request form to indicate what scores you want omitted.
Most students register online; late registration and/or standby admission will result in additional fees with both the SAT and ACT.
Students who receive special education services, testing for the first time: Students who receive special education services who wish to receive the services and accommodations specified on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) need to see their school counselor when taking the SAT. A parent consent form is required. Eligibility is determined through the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). The decision will be sent to the student's home with an eligibility code. This code is required to complete the SAT registration.
ACT also allows students who receive special education services to use their approved services and accommodations. Your counselor will submit your information to the Test Accessibility and Accommodations System. Requests are normally processed in 10 to 14 business days. Your counselor will notify you of the decision.
How to Prepare for College Entrance Exams:
Hamburg High School offers SAT prep sessions in the Spring for a nominal fee.
Khan Academy (College Board) strengthen your skills, offers free practice and full length tests.
Test Preps Buffalo Melissa Cook, 716-574-7349
Atlas Test Prep Jacob Christensen, 716-361-6413
Huntington SAT Prep 1-800-CAN LEARN
Also available is prep books for individual or group study from Barnes & Noble, internet, etc.
Available test dates at Hamburg High School:
SAT Date SAT Registration Date Deadline ACT Date ACT Registration Date Deadline
September 13, 2025 September 2, 2025
October 4, 2025 September 23, 2025
The Hamburg High School Code for the SAT and ACT is 332230; the Hamburg Test Center code number for the SAT is 33-472 and the ACT is 190920