STUDENTS Today starts our kick off to the PSAT and

ASPIRE tests given October 15th. Each day we

will be providing you with information relating

to college entrance testing and college

readiness. We will post each day’s message on

our website under College readiness testing as

well as on Blackboard. Method Test Prep will

also be providing resources on their website at

www.methodtestprep.com/psat-week-classes

where they will provide both free and $15

courses daily.

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 1

That nearly all four-year colleges require a

college entrance exam, and some “test-optional”

schools do, in fact, consider SAT or ACT scores in

the admission process when students submit

them?  Data provided by colleges and

universities to college-planning sites such as

BigFuture.org show that many test-optional

schools receive SAT or ACT scores from more

than 70% of students as part of the admission

process.

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 2

The weight placed on SAT and ACT scores varies

from school to school? Colleges and universities

also consider high school grade point average and

academic transcript, letters of recommendation,

interviews, and personal essays when deciding on

admissions. In addition, virtually all U.S. colleges

and universities will accept ACT scores in lieu of SAT

scores. For more specific information about the

weight of your scores, contact the admissions

offices of the schools to which you will apply.

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 3

The SAT is given 7 times per year in January.

March/April, May, June, October, November, and

December.

The ACT is given only 6 times per year in

February, April, June, September, October, and

December.

It is smart to take both the ACT and SAT since

every college in the country will take either score.

You can use the score of whichever test you

score higher on.

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 6

Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other – but

each test benefits a different type of student. It’s essential

that you figure out which test is best for you if you want the

best scores possible. 

For example: The SAT emphasizes vocabulary far more than

the ACT does. Whereas The ACT tests slightly more complex,

more advanced math. Both the SAT and ACT require nearly

identical grammatical and writing skills for the English /

Writing sections, and for the essays. And The ACT “science”

section could be more accurately named the “using

information in graphs and charts properly” section. 

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 7

You should take the SAT or ACT, depending on your

test preference, 2-3 times before applying to

colleges? The most common plan is to take the ACT

ASPIRE your freshman year, the PSAT you

sophomore year, and the PSAT again in October of

your junior year. Then, you should take the SAT or

ACT at least once in the spring of your junior year,

and then again in the fall of your senior year.

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 8

Your PSAT scores are a qualifier for Dual Credit

courses? You must score a 50 on both the reading

and math subject tests and a composite score of

107. Here at Klein Collins we offer 4 Dual Credit

English courses, 2 Dual Credit History courses, 2

Dual Credit Science courses, and 1 Dual Credit Math

course. Students can start taking Dual Credit

courses to earn college credit starting the summer

before their junior year of high school.

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 9

That as part of their commitment to access and

equity in education, both the SAT and ACT offer a

fee waiver program to assist those students for

whom test fees present an obstacle in the college-

going process. Today, more than 20% of SAT and

ACT takers utilize fee waivers, including more than

350,000 students in the graduating class of 2011

alone.  So, if the financial burden is preventing you

from taking the SAT or ACT, stop by and speak with

your counselor about the fee waiver program.

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 10

That SAT and ACT registration deadlines fall

approximately 5 weeks before each test date.

These dates are posted on the Klein Collins

website under College Readiness Testing.

Keep in mind you can register by mail or

online.

DID YOU KNOW?

OCTOBER 14

You should give yourself 5 to 12 weeks to 

prepare for the SAT or ACT. The prep programs

provided to you through Tiger Den using the

Method test Prep Program usually require

approximately 2 hours of work per week for 8

weeks. There are tutorials for both the SAT and ACT

including a huge pool of practice questions where

you can receive instant feedback upon completion

of each question, and develop a study plan for your

unique needs. Good luck tomorrow Tigers!