Testing Information

The New York State Education Department requires that all students earn a grade of 65 or above on all five required Regents Exams for a Regents Diploma. The required Regents Exams are: Algebra I, Global History and Geography, one Science Regents, US History, and English. To earn an Advanced Regents Diploma, students must also pass the Checkpoint B Exam in a World Language, Geometry, Algebra II and an additional Science Regents. 

See Graduation Requirements page for more information.

The PSAT/NMSQT is a “practice SAT” test given in October in preparation for the SAT I. This test is also the first step in entering scholarship programs conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The PSAT is divided into five (5) sections in three (3) skill areas. There are two (2) twenty-five minute critical reading sections, two (2) twenty-five minute Math sections and one (1) thirty minute writing skills section. Students should take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year. Sophomores may take the PSAT 10. Students may use calculators on all math questions. Scores are reported on a 20-80 point scale in Math, Critical Reading and Writing sections.  

See this College Board Site for more information and upcoming dates and other resources.

The SAT is one of two national college entrance exams that are used by most colleges as a means of assessing applicants’ college readiness. The SAT is provided by College Board (www.collegeboard.org). It is recommended that students take the SAT in the spring of junior year and again in the fall of senior year.  

The SAT Reasoning Test measures skills in Mathematics, Reading, Writing and Language. The SAT also has an optional essay. Students are permitted to use a calculator on some of the Math questions. Many questions on the new SAT focus on important, widely used words and phrases found in texts in many different subjects. Some questions ask you to figure out a word’s meaning based on context. The words are ones that you will probably encounter in college or in the workplace long after test day.  

The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the SAT Essay ask you to interpret, synthesize, and use evidence found in a wide range of sources. These sources include informational graphics, such as tables, charts, and graphs, as well as multi-paragraph passages in the areas of literature and literary nonfiction, the humanities, science, history and social studies, and on topics about work and career. Scores are reported on a 400-1600 Scale for Evidenced Based Reading and Writing and Math.  

See this College Board Site for information about upcoming test dates and other resources.

The ACT is another national college admissions exam which may be used in place of or in addition to the SAT. It is a curriculum-based exam which tests applicant’s general educational development and ability to complete college level work. Its website is www.actstudent.org. Specifically, it tests skill levels in English, Math, Reading, and Science, and there is an optional Writing test. ACT scores are reported as four separate scores: English, Reading, Math, and Science; and one composite score is included, which ranges from 1-36.  

See ACT.ORG for more information.

AP tests are designed for students who have completed college-level AP courses in high school. Advanced Placement examinations are given in specific subject areas to determine whether a student may gain advanced standing in college. AP Exams are administered in May of each year. Scores range from 1-5. Generally, a score of 3, 4 or 5 may qualify for college credit.  

See Honors & Advanced Placement page for more information

The ASVAB is an aptitude battery measuring developed abilities. It predicts what a person might accomplish with training or further education. ASVAB is designed to measure potential for occupations that require formal courses of instructional or on-the-job training. In addition, it provides measures of general learning ability that are useful for predicting performance in academic areas. ASVAB is an outstanding Vocational Inventory for all students, even for students not necessarily interested in a career in the Armed Services.  

See the following website for more information.

This test is designed for students for whom English is not a native language, and whose scores on the SAT, therefore, would be affected by the language difference.  

See this webpage for more information.