College Entrance TestsSAT/ACT/Subject Tests

AP Exams

SAT vs. ACTSAT ACT

TYPE:Reasoning, Problem Solving, Aptitude TestSample Question: What is your view of the

claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?

CONTENT: Math- Algebra 1, Basic Geometry & Algebra

2Reading- Sentence completion, short & long

reading passages, reading comprehensionWriting- An essay, questions related to:

grammar, usage, & word choice FORMAT: Begin with 25 minute essay, alternate

randomly from math, reading and writing in 10-25 minute sections

SCORING:Each section is 200-800 points, 2400 is the

highest score.There is a guessing penalty.

TYPE:Knowledge, Curriculum, Achievement TestSample Question: In your view, should high

schools become more tolerant of cheating? CONTENT: Math- Algebra and Geometry up to TrigonometryReading- Four passages: Prose Fiction, Social

Science, Humanities and Natural ScienceEnglish- GrammarScience- Charts & ExperimentsWriting- Optional, but cannot be used in place of

the SATs if not completed at most institutions FORMAT: Begin with and alternate randomly between 60

minute sections of Math, Reading, Science, or English, complete with optional 30 minute writing section

SCORING:Each subject is scored 1-36 and averaged to

create a composite score, 36 is the highest possible score

There is no guessing penalty.(At some institutions ACT scores can be used in

place of SAT & SAT subject tests)

SAT Composite Score

(Math, CR & W)

ACT Composite Score

SAT Composite Score (Math & CR only)

2400 36 16002340-2390 35 1540-15902280-2330 34 1490-15302220-2270 33 1440-14802160-2210 32 1400-14302100-2150 31 1360-13902040-2090 30 1330-13501980-2030 29 1290-13201920-1970 28 1250-12801860-1910 27 1210-12401800-1850 26 1170-12001740-1790 25 1130-11601680-1730 24 1090-11201620-1670 23 1050-10801560-1610 22 1020-10401500-1550 21 980-10101440-1490 20 940-9701380-1430 19 900-9301320-1370 18 860-8901260-1310 17 820-8501200-1250 16 770-8101140-1190 15 720-7601080-1130 14 670-7101020-1070 13 620-660960-1010 12 560-610900-950 11 510-550

WHEN SHOULD I TEST?

Students will take the PSAT in October of their sophomore and junior years (during the school day) and have the opportunity to take SAT/ACT practice tests through the PTO sophomore and junior year

Students should take the SAT and/or ACT during the 2ND Semester of junior year

Statistics show students often see an improvement in their score from the first testing to the second, but not generally on a third testing unless some sort of prep is completed

HOW DO I REGISTER?PSATs: GVHS registers all 10th and 11th

grade students for this test. The test is taken in October during the school day.

SAT: Students register online (collegeboard.com)

ACT: Students register online (actstudent.org)

**Fee waivers are available for families with financial need

TEST PREPPSATPTO Testing- Practice ACT, SAT, Combo test COURSES (GVHS/Private Classes/Individual

Tutoring)Resources on Collegeboard/ACT WebsitesKaplan Free Online SAT/ACT PrepBooksMy College QuickStartwww.number2.com

REPORTING SCORESSAT/SUBJECT TESTS ACT

Official Scores - must be sent directly from the CollegeBoard

Score Choice – gives students the option of sending or suppressing test scores

Cost – 4 free score reports (must be determined at time of registration or up to 9 days after testing). $11.00 per report after this period.

Test scores do not appear on high school transcript

Official Scores – must be sent directly from ACT

Score Choice – can choose which test dates you want sent

Cost - $11.00 per report (4 free reports when designated at registration)

Test scores do not appear on high school transcript

SUBJECT TESTS (aka SAT II’s)Admission tests that measure students’ knowledge and

skills in particular subject areas.

Not required by the majority of colleges and universities but many of the most competitive colleges recommend or require that applicants take two or more subject tests.

**Many schools accept the ACT (with writing)in lieu of subject tests

Subject Tests (cont’d)English LiteratureWorld LanguagesU.S. & World HistoryMath (level I and II)Science

BiologyChemistryPhysics

Which subject test(s) should students take?

When should subject tests be taken?

When are subject tests are offered?

How many subject tests can students take?

AP ExamsWho? When? Why?

WHO?GVHS offers 26 AP CoursesEnglishScienceSocial StudiesMathLanguageArtMusic

WHEN?The first two weeks in May

Registration occurs in the counseling office

Test dates/times strictly determined by the CollegeBoard

Alternate exams

WHY?

Prepare students for college-level coursework

Rigor is a factor in most admissions decisions

College credit

AP Scores are typically used for awarding credit and placement – not a factor in admissions decisions

Additional InformationTesting AccommodationsMust obtain prior approval through testing

agency

Fee Waivers Check testing agency’s website for eligibility

requirements

Test optional schoolswww.fairtest.org/university/optional

RESOURCESwww.collegeboard.com

SAT & Subject Testswww.act.org ACTwww.kaptest.com/kas Kaplan’s free online

SAT/ACT prepwww.quickstart.collegeboard.com Free personalized SAT

study plan