Entrance Exams

Assessments to Expect After High School

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS

HOW TO REGISTER FOR SAT

Most college bound students take the SAT and/or ACT when applying to 4-year colleges. Your school counselor can help to determine which tests are appropriate for you. When registering, students will be prompted to upload a photo. Registration and more specific information can be found on-line on www.collegeboard.com.

Dominion High School’s College Board Code: CEEB # 472-178

Dominion High School’s Test Center Number: # 47089

THE SAT TEST

The SAT Reasoning Test includes reading, writing/language, and math. To learn more, practice, and sign up for the SAT, navigate to https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat.

The SAT Subject Tests were discontinued in January 2021.

ACT

The American College Testing Service administers the ACT, an alternative to the SAT. All colleges nationwide accept either the ACT or the SAT. Students should check the requirements of the colleges to which they will apply in order to determine if the colleges have a preference for either test.

The ACT is composed English, mathematics, reading and natural science, with the option of writing. Students can register on www.act.org.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Students, who require accommodations (ex: extended time), should speak with their school counselor and/or their liaison to receive the necessary information for test registration accommodations. This request must be made far ahead of time, as the process involves a formal application, as well as enough time to obtain College Board and/or ACT approval for accommodations. This application requires both student and parent signatures. Students who are on an IEP or a 504 Plan (along with their parents) should talk to their counselor about this process.

If applicable, students may be eligible to receive fee waivers for two SAT exams. There is a fee reduction for ACT exams. Students should speak with their school counselor.

TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL)

The TOEFL is a college entrance test for students whose first language is not English. It is not offered through the College Board and has a different registration process. This exam is accepted by all colleges and is used along with the ACT and SAT Reasoning Test to evaluate a student’s ability to recognize language that is appropriate standard written English. Students can register on the Internet at www.toefl.org.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. As an aptitude test, the ASVAB measures your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success. The ASVAB also provides you with career information for various civilian and military occupations and is an indicator for success in future endeavors whether you choose to go to college, vocational school, or a military career. Contact a recruiter for more information and registration.

HOW DO STUDENTS SEND SCORES TO COLLEGES?

It is the responsibility of the students to forward official copies of their SAT scores from the College Board to their prospective colleges. At the time of registration for the SAT, students are given the opportunity to designate four colleges as recipients of their College Board test scores and it's free of charge. If scores are not sent with registrations, there is an additional fee per college to send a score report. Students may request test scores to be sent anytime before the college deadline. Score Choice gives students the option to choose which sets of scores (by test date for the SAT and by individual subject on the Subject Tests) to send to their colleges. Super Score is when the colleges consider the student's highest scores from different test dates. Not all colleges honor Score Choice but most consider Super Score. More and more colleges are going Test Optional. If this is the case, it is up to the student whether or not to send their scores.

SAT/ACT PREPARATION

It is important that students prepare well for standardized tests. The following options are provided to help students feel comfortable and to aid students in their preparation for the exam:

· Take PreAct at the beginning of sophomore year and PSAT’s at the beginning of junior year. Scores, test booklets, answers and explanations of the questions are delivered to students in the winter after the exam.

· Purchase SAT Prep books.

· Khan Academy provides free SAT prep. The College Board website (www.collegeboard.com) provides suggestions on test-taking tips, strategies and study skills. In addition, students can request that an official ‘question of the day’ be sent to their e-mail address.

· Private tutors allow the instructor and student to work on specific areas of need.

**Dominion High School Counseling Department does not endorse a specific prep course. We recommend that each student and family research the options that meet their academic and financial needs. List of programs listed alphabetically.**