Tests
If you're an undergraduate student, most colleges in the U.S. require that students submit scores from standardized tests as part of their application packages. The most commonly accepted tests are the ACT Assessment®, SAT I, and SAT II. For information about which you should take, talk to your high school counselor or to the admissions office(s) at the college(s) to which you will apply.
Taking the SAT or ACT Tips:
Get one of the various comprehensive study guides and set a schedule to study the material. Do not cram. Study the material over several months.
- Make sure you have a good night sleep the night before you take the test.
- Have everything you need (the admission ticket, photo identification, #2 pencils, a watch, a calculator, and a snack).
- Dress in layers so you can add or remove clothing to be comfortable.
- Arrive early.
- Don’t spend too much time on any one question.
- Pace yourself.
- Be careful as you mark the answers. Be sure you are filling in the right bubble for each numbered question.
- Relax.
The SAT Test
Both the SAT I and SAT II are offered several times a year at locations across the country. For detailed information about the SAT I or SAT II, including information about preparing to take the test, what to take with you on test day, and understanding your scores, visit http://www.collegeboard.org/.
- SAT I: Reasoning. The SAT I is a three-hour test that measures a student’s ability rather than knowledge. It is split into sections that cover verbal and mathematical reasoning skills. Most of the questions are multiple-choice.
- SAT II: Subject Tests. The SAT II subject tests measure knowledge in specific subjects within five general categories: English, Mathematics, History, Science, and Languages. The specific subjects range from English Literature to Biology to Modern Hebrew. SAT II subject tests are primarily multiple-choice, and each lasts one hour.
The ACT Assessment®
The ACT Assessment® consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, reading, mathematics, and science reasoning. It is offered several times a year at locations across the country–usually at high schools and colleges.
For detailed information about the Assessment, including information about preparing to take the test, what to take with you on test day, and understanding your scores, visit http://www.act.org/.
Other Common Tests
- The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, commonly known as the PSAT, is usually taken in the student’s junior year. It’s a good way to practice for the SAT tests, and it serves as a qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s scholarship programs. The PSAT measures skills in verbal reasoning, critical reading, mathematics problem solving, and writing.
- The two- to three-hour Advanced Placement (AP) Program exams are usually taken after the student completes an AP course in the relevant subject. (Speak to your high school counselor about taking AP classes.) A good grade on an AP exam can qualify the student for college credit and/or “advanced placement” in that subject in college. For example, if a student scores well on the AP English Literature exam, he or she might not have to take the college’s required freshman-level English course. Most AP tests are at least partly made up of essay questions; some include multiple-choice questions. The tests are offered each spring; each test is offered once, with a make-up day a few weeks later.
- The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) offers students the opportunity to gain college credit by taking an exam. Usually, a student takes the tests at the college where he or she is already enrolled. Not all colleges offer credit based on CLEP tests, and different colleges offer different amounts of credit for the same test, so do your research before committing to an exam. Your best source of information is your college.
Links to websites to aid you in test preparation:
