Testing
LOVE IT OR HATE IT, STANDARDIZED TESTING CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE PROCESS. IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOU LEARN ABOUT THE SAT AND THE ACT TESTS AND THAT YOU START THE PROCESS EARLY, SO YOU CAN BE AS PREPARED AS POSSIBLE.
SAT
The SAT test is a standardized test that many colleges use to help determine if you’d be a good fit at their institution. The test assesses your skills in math, critical reading, and writing. In the United States, it is administered seven times a year.
In tenth grade, you have the opportunity to take the PSAT test, a practice SAT test that will allow you to gain valuable feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. The test is free and is administered in school. Be sure to take the PSAT test seriously and do your best work, so you can find out most accurately where you stand. Juniors who take the PSAT test and score high can be in the running for the National Merit Scholarship.

For most colleges, it’s important that you reach these standardized testing benchmarks on the SAT (minimum scores):
Math SAT Exam
Reading and Writing SAT Exam

ACT
The ACT test is another standardized test colleges use to help determine if you’d be the right fit for their institution. The ACT assesses your skills in English, math, writing, and science reasoning. In the United States, it is administered seven times a year.
For most colleges, it’s important that you reach these standardized testing benchmarks on the ACT (minimum scores):
English ACT Exam
Reading ACT Exam
Science ACT Exam
Math ACT Exam
Learn more about the SAT:
-
Read more about SAT scores, benchmarks, and percentiles.
-
Find more SAT Information from College Board.
- Find more information on SAT dates and deadlines.
Learn more about the ACT:
- Read more about ACT scores and benchmarks.
- Find more information about the ACT test.
- Find more information on ACT dates and deadlines.