Testing Resources

College Entrance Exams

There are two college entrance exams, the ACT (American College Test) and the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), which are used for admission, placement, and scholarships.

Check with colleges which you are interested in attending to see if they require the ACT or SAT. Registration forms are available online (see links below). Students who must test on a Sunday for religious reasons should check websites for required documentation, locations, and dates of offered exams.

Which Test Should I Take?

Should You Take the ACT vs. SAT? (Kaplan)
ACT vs. SAT Comparison (Princeton Review)

Testing

SVHS is an official test center for the SAT. Registration information with dates and other test sites are available in the College & Career Center or online.

Test Waivers

*Eligible for free or reduced lunch? You could be eligible for a fee waiver to take the SAT and/or ACT for free! See your counselor or Mr. Nalda for more information.

Latest News & Updates

Test-Optional Schools

Ever since the COVID situation, many schools have made the decision to continue to go "test-optional" as part of their application process. This means you would not be required to submit an SAT or ACT score as part of your application. As you are doing research about colleges and applications, make sure you stay up-to-date with the school's latest requirements. You may want to check their website or reach out to an admissions representative for the latest information.

What does Test Optional mean?

SAT Information & Updates

The SAT is more than just a test. It's a tool that helps open doors to opportunity. Register today, complete one free Timed Mini Section or Diagnostic Quiz on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy®, and earn entries into drawings for $500 and $40,000 BigFuture® Scholarships.

Upcoming Weekend SAT Dates

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/dates-deadlines

If you're a fee waiver–eligible student, there's no late registration fee. Think you qualify for a testing fee waiver? Reach out to your counselor or Mr. Nalda.

Testing Information

PSAT

PSAT/NMSQT Tools
College Board PSAT Website
Did you take the PSAT? Check out this document: "So, you took the PSAT, now what?"

SAT Info & Practice

- SAT Registration & Information: www.collegeboard.org
- Khan Academy (FREE SAT Test Prep): www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat
- The Princeton Review - Free opportunities and events
- www.march2success.com - Free SAT test prep; pre-test allows for personalized study plan; flash cards; interactive games; great resource!
- Saturday School - SAT Prep Courses; discount available to students eligible for FARMs
- Montgomery College - SAT Prep Courses; in-person and online (via Zoom); Self-Study option also available (click here for Summer 2025 Flyer)

ACT Info & Practice

- Registration & Information: www.act.org
- ACT Academy (FREE ACT Test Prep): academy.act.org
- The Princeton Review - Free opportunities and events
- www.march2success.com - Free ACT test prep; pre-test allows for personalized study plan; flash cards; interactive games; great resource!
- Saturday School - ACT Prep Courses; discount available to students eligible for FARMs
- Montgomery College - ACT Prep Courses (click here for Summer 2025 Flyer)

Advanced Placement (AP Testing)

AP gives students the chance to tackle college-level work while they're still in high school and earn college credit and placement.

AP Students - information, resources, and more.

ASVAB Info & Practice

- sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/svhscccenter/military - learn more about the ASVAB on our Military Page
- www.march2success.com - Free ASVAB test prep; pre-test allows for personalized study plan; great resource!
- www.mometrix.com/academy/asvab-test/
- www.asvabprogram.com - official site

EML/ESOL Students

Practice your English speaking skills. Go online and register for your TOEFL Test and get practice tests for free. Help build confidence in speaking and practice at your own speed. To learn more, go to www.ets.org/.

IB Examinations - Click Here

Students may also receive academic credit for high scores earned on IB examinations, depending upon individual colleges' policies. Students taking IB exams should research if colleges they are interested in accept IB credits.

ESOL Students & TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - Click Here

TOEFL or DuoLingo tests are designed to determine the English proficiency of students whose native language is not English. Students may be required to take the TOEFL if they have not completed four years of English courses. Please note that there is a fee associated with testing. For more information, go to: www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ or https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants.

EML Students - Practice your English speaking skills. Go online and get practice tests for free. Help build confidence in speaking and practice at your own speed. To learn more, go to: www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/prepare or https://englishtest.duolingo.com/register.

If you have any questions, reach out to Mr. Nalda or your counselor.

CLEP (College Level Examination Program) - Click Here

The CLEP is designed to waive courses and grant college-level credit by examination. For fees and registration information, go to the Clep Registration page. Locate a CLEP Testing Center on the College Board website. Call for the required fees and payment policy for that center.

PSAT/NMSQT - Click Here

The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a two hour and ten minute exam that measures academic abilities important in college work. It is administered only once during the school year and consists of two 25 minute math sections, two 25 minute verbal sections, and one writing skills section. The test provides an excellent practice for students preparing for the SAT I, and scores on the PSAT can be used in predicting what a student will do on the SAT I.

In order to be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Achievement Scholarship Program, and the National Hispanic Scholar Awards Program, the PSAT must be taken in the JUNIOR year.

The PSAT is administered at all Montgomery County High Schools in October. While 9th and 10th grade students take the PSAT at NO COST through a partnership between MCPS and Montgomery College, juniors must pay a fee to register through their individual high schools. Contact the College & Career Center or Guidance Office for additional registration information.

Score Report and My College QuickStart

Financial Aid for Testing Fees - Click Here

No student should miss taking a test because the fees might cause a financial hardship for their family. There is a fund at SVHS which contains money to pay the testing fees for the following tests: PSAT, SAT I & II, ACT, TOEFL and AP. If your family income is below $30,000 or you are eligible for free/reduced lunch or there are other circumstances which have created a hardship, see your counselor immediately to learn about this fund.

If you are eligible for free/reduced lunch, you can register online by clicking this link.

Testing for Special Needs Students - Click Here

Students with a documented disability may be eligible for accommodations on the SAT, AP, PSAT and the ACT. To receive accommodations for testing, reach out to your counselor to start the process. Students must submit documentation and be approved before testing.

SAT website: http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd

ACT website: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/accommodations.html

Study Websites & Additional Resources - Click Here

Report abuse