SAT and ACT - College entrance exams

Do I have to take the SAT or ACT?

Some colleges require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the application process. Many colleges are 'test optional', which allows students to chooses whether to submit scores. Other colleges have decided not to include SAT/ACT testing as part of their application at all. Students need to check college admissions websites to see whether SAT/ACT scores are required, optional, or not requested keeping in mind that colleges might change their requirements from year to year.

Which should I take? The ACT or the SAT?

Colleges will accept either the SAT or the ACT and they do not have a preference between the two.  Students typically perform equally well on both tests, however some students do excel on one over the other.  At Monticello, many students try the SAT first because they have the opportunity to take the SAT for free on a school day in the spring of their junior year.

How do I sign up to take the SAT or ACT? 

All juniors will have one opportunity to take the SAT for free on a school day in the spring. If you prefer to pay to take the SAT or ACT on a Saturday, you can register for Saturday SAT testing on Collegeboard's website and the ACT on the ACT website.

Should I take it more than once?

Students usually take the ACT and/or SAT for the first time in the junior year. After receiving your first set of scores you will want to see how your scores compare to the scores of students who are typically admitted to the schools on your college list.  There are a few ways to find this information.  A good place to start is by going to your SchooLinks account or Collegeboard to see the mid-range scores for each college.  Another option is to look at the college websites, as SAT/ACT ranges are often supplied on the admissions webpages.  After looking at the SAT/ACT ranges of admitted students, you will decide whether you should take the SAT/ACT again.  Remember, colleges will take your highest score on each section regardless of the test date.  This is called ‘super scoring’.

How can I prepare?

Collegeboard partners with Khan Academy to offer free, personalized SAT prep that is based off a student’s PSAT scores.  Students should create a Khan Academy account and, when prompted, agree to link their Khan Academy and College Board accounts.  Students then sign into their Collegeboard account and click ‘send’ to send their scores to their Khan Academy account. ACT also offers test prep.

How do colleges get my scores?

Although your unofficial scores will appear on your high school transcript, Monticello High School does not send official scores to colleges. You must send official scores directly from CollegeBoard and/or the ACT program.  You can do this before or after you take the SAT/ACT.  However, the cost to send your scores is higher if you wait until after you have tested.  You send your scores from your Collegeboard and/or ACT online account.