Test Information

Admissions Testing

• ACT

  • Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. The test is comprised of 4 required tests and an optional essay (check with your university of application to see if they require the essay). English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning. The test is 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay) and 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay). It contains 4 reading passages, 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge), and a mathematics section of Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry and Trigonometry. You can use a calculator on all math questions. Scored on a scale of 1–36

• CollegeBoard (SAT)

  • Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. The test is comprised of 3 main sections: Reading, Writing & Language, Math. There is an optiona Essay (check with your university of application to see if they require the essay). The test is 3 hours (without essay) and 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay). This includes 5 reading passages and a mathematics section covering Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis. Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator. Scored on a scale of 400–1600.

Test Prep Resources

• TorchPrep

  • TorchPrep is an ACT face-to-face test prep program that Highlands has endorsed for several years. This program has proven to help many students increase their ACT scores. This is an optional program that families can choose to pay and participate in before any ACT test.

  • https://torchprep.com/act-scores-explained-students/

• ACT test prep

  • The official website for ACT and test prep that they recommend. 

• Khan Academy

  • Khan Academy is an online educational resource that offers assistance in multiple subject areas. In 2015, Khan Academy partnered with the CollegeBoard to create a personalized SAT test prep experience. Students can create an account and work through SAT preparation modals to prepare them for an upcoming testing experience. 

• Vesouli Math Academy

  • Math summer bootcamps, homework support, and ACT prep

• Huntington Learning Center