ACT/SAT Information
Many four-year colleges and some two-year technical schools require some form of admissions testing. Test scores, along with high school grades and other achievements, are used in the admission decision-making process. The most widely accepted admissions tests are the ACT and the SAT. Registration information for these tests are available in the Guidance Office.
Duration: approximately 3.5 hours
Measures: Each of the ACT tests is constructed to measure knowledge and skills typically taught in high school that are important for successfully completing a college education.
Content Areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional, but highly recommended)
Tools: Approved calculators may be used for the Math section.
Please click here for 2023-2024 ACT test dates.
Students who wish to take the ACT test (on any scheduled test date) must register here. Marian Central Catholic is a test site for the ACT on April 13, 2024. The registration deadline for the April test is March 8, 2024. We are not allowed to reserve seats just for Marian students, so timely registration is of the essence. If a student has a documented learning disability and wishes to take the test with accommodations, an application must be filled out, coordinated with the Mr. Taylor, Academic Resource Director and submitted to ACT for consideration. More information is available here.
Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Measures: The SAT Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well students analyze and solve problems.
Content Areas: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing
Tools: Approved calculators may be used for the Mathematics section
Please click here for 2023-2024 SAT test dates.
Students who wish to take the SAT test (on any scheduled test date) must register here. Marian Central Catholic is not a test site for the SAT. If the student has a documented learning disability and wishes to take the test with accommodations, an application must be filled out, coordinated with the guidance counselor, and submitted to the College Board for consideration. More information is available at here.
Which Test is Right for Me?
Colleges don't prefer one test over another. Even though Illinois is now an "SAT state" colleges will accept scores from both tests. Every student is different; there's no "one size fits all" approach when it comes to the ACT or SAT.
This online questionnaire can provide insight into which test might be a better fit. For students who opt to take both tests, the SAT to ACT score conversion table will help students see which test they actually performed better on.
ACT/SAT Test Preparation
The most effective preparation method is to fully apply yourself in your present high school courses. Beyond this, many of your teachers will be going over practice strategies with you in your classes. See Guidance for further information on testing, registration and preparation. Free practice tests are available on the ACT and SAT websites.
Click this link for a short list of ACT test preparation resources that the Guidance Department has been notified about. (Marian provides these ACT preparation resources as a courtesy/convenience for Marian students and their families. Marian does not endorse any ACT preparation resources).
SAT offers online test preparation through Khan Academy, a free SAT prep resource.
Test Optional/Flexible Colleges & Universities
The National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest) advances quality education and equal opportunity by promoting fair, open, valid and educationally beneficial evaluations of students, teachers and schools. FairTest also works to end the misuses and flaws of testing practices that impede those goals.
FairTest maintains a database of colleges and universities that employ test optional or test flexible admission policies. Please see Mr. Wochner to learn more about how and why schools go test optional and the benefits of applying to schools under test optional admission policies.