Throughout high school, students will take many different standardized tests. PSSA and Keystone exams are mandated by the state and matter toward your high school graduation. Information about those tests are shared throughout the school year.

This page is primarily dedicated to the tests that help students with their anticipated career paths. Those include the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Read below for more information about those tests.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the great majority of colleges and universities required an SAT or ACT score with your application. The past few years have made that requirement far less strict.

While more colleges are getting back to their "normal" admissions requirements, many colleges and universities have continued to be test optional. But what does that mean? Here's a few terms you should know:

Test Optional - Students can choose to submit SAT/ACT scores to a school. It is completely up to you. Scores that are submitted are typically in the above average range.

Test Blind - Scores are not considered even if they are submitted. No tests are needed for these schools.

Test Flexible - Schools really want a test score, but it does not have to be the SAT or ACT. They will typically provide alternative assessments for you to take.

If you don't send scores, that just means that the rest of your application packet becomes more important. These days, schools really like to see a well-rounded applicant, but some might still have minimum requirements (test score, GPA, etc.) to even consider you. It's still important to keep your grades up, but it's also super important to be more than just a student in the classroom!

Students are typically advised to take the PSAT in 10th grade. From there, they can take additional PSATs if they'd like. The fall of junior year is a really great time to take the PSAT/NMSQT. Students who plan to apply to college are then recommended to take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year. If you're satisfied with your scores, that's all you need. If you aren't, you can take the SAT again in the fall of your senior year. 

Schools will typically take your highest composite SAT score, meaning they will take the highest score you receive in each section if you take the test multiple times. It is not recommended to take the SAT any more than three times!

Remember, you should only take the SAT or ACT if you plan to apply to a school that requires it!

Fair Test is a site that has generally up to date information about what is required at each college/university.

Even if you look on Fair Test, you are strongly encouraged to call or email each specific school's admissions office to see if they have any idea what the admissions requirements will be for your application/admission cycle. Sometimes this information can be found on the admissions websites, but your best bet will always be to contact the school directly.

This question can be answered a bit differently for every student. Some of you might pay for some test prep classes. Others might take advantage of free classes that pop up. The best, totally free, test prep that our School Counseling Department can recommend is through the Khan Academy.

If you were a student at Mid Valley as a sophomore, you should have taken the PSAT. The best part about the Khan Academy is that they partner with the College Board (you know, the people who run the SAT). They used to offer the ability to directly link your College Board account with the Khan Academy, but unfortunately that service no longer exists. If you log into Khan Academy though, you will still get personalized practice based where you perform best and where you might need improvement. There are practice tests available and you can go question by question to learn what you need to improve. You can make a test prep schedule for yourself, take free practice exams, and even set up reminders to practice every day. The program is incredibly comprehensive and highly recommended!

This site gives a pretty good breakdown of the difference between the two tests. Essentially, the tests are just delivered differently. Many times, students who struggle with the SAT will perform better on the ACT. If you find yourself struggling with the SAT, need the test for the schools you're looking at, and can afford it, give the ACT a shot. 

You can sign up for the weekend SAT through the College Board Website, and you can find a listing of upcoming tests here. Mid Valley holds an SAT School Day Exam in October and March. During this scenario, you will take the SAT during the school day in a Mid Valley classroom. Your counselors will share sign ups for that exam when it gets closer, and all payments will be made to Mid Valley as opposed to the College Board.

You can sign up for the ACT on the ACT Website, and you can find a listing of upcoming tests here.

An important consideration is that you are given the ability to send your SAT scores to up to four colleges for free. Students are encouraged to use their free sends if they are expecting to submit scores. Test scores cannot be sent by the school and can only be sent through the testing website. Colleges will only accept test scores that come directly from the provider. This usually carries a small fee with it.