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Offered to Sophomores at Lincoln (free)
Offered to Sophomores at Lincoln (free)
During School day on Wed. October 15, 2025
During School day on Wed. October 15, 2025
All Lincoln Sophomores are automatically registered for free to take the PreACT through Lincoln during the school day on October 15, 2025. Sophomores and families will receive information about the PreACT as the test date gets closer.
PreACT® assessments offer 8th, 9th, and 10th graders an early experience with the ACT, provides a predicted ACT test score, and offers information to help students get the start they need to be college ready. Students may opt to have their information shared with colleges and scholarship agencies when they take PreACT, providing greater opportunities for recruitment and scholarship awards.
Offered to Juniors at Lincoln (registration fee)
Offered to Juniors at Lincoln (registration fee)
During School day on Wed. October 15, 2025
During School day on Wed. October 15, 2025
Lincoln juniors interested in taking the PSAT can take it at Lincoln during the school day on October 15, 2025, and must sign up and pay a registration fee (fee waivers available). To register, log into School Pay, search for PSAT, and then choose "view items" on the right hand side. See graphic for help. The cost of the PSAT is $18 per student. We do not want the cost of the PSAT to be a deterrent for any student. Please reach out to Travis Johnson at tjohnson1@pps.net if you need financial assistance or have any questions.
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is good practice for the SAT. Juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT and meet other program entry requirements will enter the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
NOT offered at Lincoln
NOT offered at Lincoln
Lincoln students interested in taking the ACT can register on their own at ACT.org
The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays (The Princeton Review).
ACT BASICS
Length: 2 hrs, 55 minutes (+40 minutes if taking w/writing)
English
Math
Reading
Science
Writing (optional)
Cost
US without Writing: $50.50 USD
US with Writing: $67.00 USD
Max. Score: 36
Avg. Score: 21
Offered to Juniors at Lincoln (free)
Offered to Juniors at Lincoln (free)
During School Day on Wed. March 4, 2026
During School Day on Wed. March 4, 2026
All Lincoln Juniors are automatically registered to take the SAT for free through Lincoln during the school day on March 4, 2026. If students want to take the SAT at another time, they can register on their own at collegeboard.org/sat. Juniors and families will receive information about the LHS SAT when the test date gets closer.
The SAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based test created and administered by the College Board, used by some colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays (The Princeton Review).
SAT BASICS
Length: 2 hours 14 minutes
Math
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Cost: $60
Highest SAT Score: 1600
Average SAT Score: 1060
How important is the SAT/ACT?
How important is the SAT/ACT?
It depends on the colleges you are applying to! Some colleges require students to submit their test scores, some are test-optional (the college allows all applicants to decide for themselves whether to submit test scores), and some do not look at test scores at all in the application process. For test-optional or required schools, consider looking at the test score range for the incoming freshman class at that college and compare your score, or reach out directly to the college admissions counselor for that school and ask them if your score would strengthen or weaken your application.
NOTE - standardized testing does not test how smart you are, but rather it tests your ability to take standardized tests. For some students, it's a format that is easy to understand and highlights their strengths, and for others it's not. Try not to judge yourself based off your score. Use testing resources to practice and learn useful skills/tools for taking standardized tests, but also remember that colleges will look at various parts of your application (not just your test score). Check out this conversation between antiracist educators about the history of eugenics and standardized testing: You Are Not Your Test Score! The Racist History of Standardized Testing
Is the ACT or SAT better?
Is the ACT or SAT better?
Most colleges and universities will accept scores from either the SAT or ACT, and do not favor one test over the other. Each test has a slightly different structure, and the ACT has a science section, which the SAT does not have. The best way to decide if taking the SAT or ACT is right for you is to take a timed full-length practice test of each type. Since the content and style of the SAT and ACT are very similar, factors like how you handle time pressure and what types of questions you find most challenging can help you determine which test is a better fit. Some students decide to take both the SAT and ACT to compare their scores. Try this QUIZ: SAT, ACT, or Both? from The Princeton Review to learn more.
Standardized TEst-prep Tools & Resources
Standardized TEst-prep Tools & Resources
The official place to register for the ACT! Learn about ACT test dates, test centers, and more, and find free resources about taking the ACT at ACT.org
The official place to register for the SAT! Learn about SAT test dates, test centers, and more, and find free resources about taking the SAT at collegeboard.com/sat
Test your ACT knowledge with free test prep resources from the makers of the ACT test.
Resources include: a math practice quiz, free ACT test subject practice questions (Math, English, Science, Reading), online test prep event, online class resources, study guide (English and Spanish), tips for taking the ACT, the official online practice test, and more! All for free!
Whether you're taking the SAT on a weekend or school day, find free practice resources here!
Build Your Study Plan: study activities will help you get ready, no matter how much time you have before test day.
Take a Practice Test: Download Bluebook to take official digital practice tests, and learn helpful strategies to prepare for adaptive testing.
My Practice 101: Find your practice test scores, print a practice score report, and more.
Study Tips: Check out our best advice to take your practice to the next level.
ACT has released released the updated 2024-2025 Preparing for the ACT booklet. This resource includes:
A full-length practice ACT test, including the optional writing test
Information about the multiple-choice and writing sections
Test-taking strategies
What to expect on test day
You can access the booklet here: Preparing for the ACT PDF.
Maximize your score with free Official Digital SAT® Prep from Khan Academy. Khan academy breaks down different parts of the digital SAT and offers tips and strategies for each section.
Plus, check out Free SAT Tutoring with Schoolhouse! Want the support of a personalized tutor to prepare for the SAT? Schoolhouse.world, also founded by Sal Khan, is running free, 4-week SAT Bootcamps to help you prepare for the October SAT. Schoolhouse is a separate organization with accounts governed by Schoolhouse.world Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Meometrix Test Prep is a great resource to help prepare for the PSAT, SAT, ACT and more! Within Mometrix’s library of free college admissions and placement resources, you will find study guides, flashcards, videos, and other study materials that will help you succeed on standardized tests. Mometrix’s free college admissions and placement study resources will provide you with study tips and hints designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge you will need to succeed on test day.
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