Testing
SAT/ACT/PSAT
SAT/ACT/PSAT
The ACT and the SAT are college admissions tests required by most colleges. Most college admissions committees will evaluate your application based on your best single-session score, so don't hesitate to send scores from multiple test days. Some colleges "super score," meaning they will evaluate you based on your highest score in each section across multiple testing dates. For those of you who don't test well, you'll be glad to know that there are colleges that are test-optional ~ you may still need to take an SAT or ACT, but the score is not a critical piece of your application. Post COVID, some colleges have gone test-optional due to limits in available testing and new school requirements.
An ongoing conversation in college admissions is the value of the writing portion of these tests. An increasing number of colleges no longer require the essay, so if the colleges you are applying to do not require it, then you might choose not to register for the writing portion and save yourself time and money. We do advise you to thoroughly review each college's admissions requirements section on their websites for further guidance.
We recommend students take ACT and SAT in spring of their Junior year.
Please remember that students that receive free or reduced lunch are eligible for a fee waivers per test.
Register online at www.actstudent.org
Cost is $68 (or $93 with Writing).
Fee waivers are available for students who receive Free or Reduced Lunch. See your counselor for a waiver.
September 9, 2023
October 28, 2023
December 9, 2023
February 10, 2024
April 13, 2024
June 8, 2024
July 13, 2024
Register online at sat.collegeboard.org
Cost is $55
Fee waivers are available for students who receive Free or Reduced Lunch. See your counselor for a waiver.
August 26, 2023
October 7, 2023
November 4, 2023
December 2, 2023
March 9, 2024 *Digital
May 4, 2024 *Digital
June 1, 2024 *Digital
SAT Subject tests may be required or encouraged for admission to some universities. Find more information here.
The PSAT provides practice for the SAT and qualifies students with high enough scores for National Merit competitions. We strongly advise juniors to register to take this test.
In addition to providing practice for the SAT, scores on the PSAT can qualify students for the National Merit scholarship competition. National Merit Semifinalists are announced in September. Approximately 1.5 million students in about 22,000 high schools take the PSAT. Of those students, about 16,000 are named National Merit Semifinalists and about 34,000 earn Commended designation.
PSAT scores from the October test are released to students electronically via email. Students will receive an email in December with a link and access code.
There are many organizations that offer test prep for a cost in Austin. While we do not endorse any specific individual or company, we keep flyers in our College and Career Center that parents/students are welcome to pick up.
Khan Academy offers free PSAT and SAT test prep through a partnership with CollegeBoard. Students who link their PSAT or SAT scores to their Khan Academy account receive individualized test prep in the areas they most need help.
The Learning Express database via TexQuest is provided for free through the State of Texas. This site has prep not only for standardized tests, but for AP tests and general test taking in a variety of subjects.