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AHS School Code: 470420
PSAT
All AHS sophomores and juniors are automatically signed up to take the PSAT, at no financial cost, during the school day each fall. If you have questions about the PSAT, or if you would like to opt out of taking the test, please reach out to your school counselor directly.
About the PSAT: This college prep test is a way to motivate more students to enroll in advanced placement classes, to give students time to develop skills needed to be successful in high school and beyond, and encourage all students to consider college. The PSAT is entirely digital as of 2023.
Additionally, several scholarships (such as the National Merit Scholarship Program) use PSAT scores to find eligible juniors. Other partners and programs can help you get funding for college and academic honors.
2025-26 PSAT School Day: Tuesday, October 21st, 2025
SAT/ACT
Most students who are planning to apply for college take the SAT and/or the ACT. Though the SAT is more popular in this part of the country, the ACT is accepted at almost every college as well. Many schools went test-optional during the COVID-19 pandemic, but some are going back to requiring them again. It is important to always check directly with the college to confirm their current policy, either by going to its website or calling its admissions office. Some colleges may change their policies over the summer, so it’s a good idea to check back in the fall before you apply.
We recommend that students take their first SAT/ACT in the spring of 11th grade and take it again in October or November of 12th grade. Every spring, 11th graders are given the opportunity to take the SAT for free during the school day.
2025-26 SAT School Day: TBD
If you are wanting to take the SAT outside of SAT School Day, you must register on your own through College Board here.
Most people benefit from taking it more than once for two reasons:
Most people improve their scores the second time they take it.
Colleges will combine the best section scores from each test to come up with the total score.
You can prepare for the SAT and ACT. The first level of preparation is in your school classes. All academic classes focus on improving your writing, expanding your vocabulary, and understanding and analyzing what you read. Of course, your math classes will give you the necessary tools for the math section.
SAT/ACT Preparation Tools:
Private SAT/ACT preparation classes are available as well - many are expensive. They are not necessary but can be helpful.
AP Exams
About AP testing: The AP Program offers college-level courses and exams that you can take in high school. AP Exams are standardized exams designed to measure how well you’ve mastered the content and skills of a specific AP course. Most U.S. colleges grant credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying AP scores. College Board has an AP Credit Policy Search to help students learn about specific schools' policies around credit and/or placement for AP scores.
AP exam registration will run October 1st-17th, 2025.
In order for students to take an AP exam(s), they MUST complete a registration form, submit payment, and join the class section in myap.collegeboard.org.
For students taking exam(s) only (not currently enrolled in the AP course), please reach out to Ms. Parsons, Director of Counseling and AP Coordinator.
The cost is $97 per exam. 2026 AP Testing will run from May 4th–8th and May 11th–15th, 2026 . To view the full AP Testing Calendar, please click here.
Please reach out to Ms. Parsons (434-974-4321) with questions.
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