SAT - is a standardized, computer-based entrance exam created and administered by the College Board, widely used for undergraduate college admissions in the United States. 

• Purpose: to provide colleges and universities with a standardized, objective measure to evaluate high school applicants for undergraduate admissions.

• Core Sections: The digital SAT consists of two main sections: Reading and Writing and Math. [1]

• Modules: Each section is split into two adaptive modules, meaning your performance in the first module determines the difficulty of the second module. [1, 2]

• Question Count & Timing: The test takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes total. Reading and Writing has two 32-minute modules (27 questions each), while Math has two 35-minute modules (22 questions each). [1, 2, 3]

• Scoring: The exam is scored on a scale from 400 to 1600, combining up to 800 points from the Math section and up to 800 points from the Reading and Writing section. [1, 2]

• Registration: You can sign up, select dates, and find the nearest testing site through the Official SAT Website.

For more information, sign up & register, click here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/ 

ACT - is a standardized test used widely for college admissions and scholarship decisions across the United States. 

• Purpose: Measures a high school student's academic readiness for freshman-level college coursework. [1, 2]

• Core Sections: English, math, and reading are required, while science and writing are optional. [1]

• Question Count & Timing: 2 hours and 5 minutes of actual testing time for the core sections, or up to 3 hours and 25 minutes if you include both optional sections. [1, 2] 

• Scoring: Each section and the overall composite score range from 1 to 36, with 19.4 as a typical average benchmark score. [1, 2]

• Cost: The core exam costs $68.00, with optional add-ons like $25.00 for writing and $4.00 for science. [1, 2]

• Registration: You can sign up, select test dates, and find test centers directly through the Official ACT Website.

For more information, sign up & register, click here: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/va.html 

TSIA2 - The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is a computer-based placement test used by Texas public colleges and universities to check if entering students are ready for entry-level college coursework. [1, 2]

• Purpose: is to determine if a student is ready for college-level coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics. 

• Subjects Covered: English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and Mathematics. The older separate reading and writing parts are now combined into one ELAR section. [1, 2]

• College Readiness Benchmarks: A score of 945 or higher with an essay of 5 (or a diagnostic level of 5/6 with an essay of 5) for ELAR, and 950 or higher (or diagnostic level 6) for Math. [1]

• Requirements: Non-exempt students must complete the mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) before taking the test. [1]

• Exemptions: Students with qualifying scores on the SAT, ACT, or certain high school courses may skip the exam. [1]

• If you pass (Meet the Benchmark): You can enroll directly in credit-bearing, college-level courses (like College Algebra or Freshman Composition).

• If you do not pass: You will be placed into developmental education (remedial) courses or co-requisite courses. These classes help build your skills but do not count toward your degree graduation requirements.

• Mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA): Before you are allowed to take the TSIA2, colleges require you to complete an online Pre-Assessment Activity. The PAA explains why the test matters, provides sample questions, and outlines institutional resources. You cannot test without proving you completed this step.

For more information and resources, click here: https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/