 | SAT | ACT | Universities will accept either ACTor SAT Reasoning.
Some schools require SAT Subject Tests. Subject Tests are used to measure your knowledge/aptitude in a certain
subject area. They are a good indicator of past academic achievement and future performance. They may be taken anytime during high school, but the best time to sign up for a test is at the end of a course of study. For example,if a student completes basic Chemistry at the end of their sophomore year it would be wise to sign up for the SAT Chemistry Subject Test in May or June of that year. Remember, most colleges do not require Subject Tests. | Universities will accept either ACT or
SAT Reasoning. Studying will definitely improve your score on both exams! Study guides available for check out in the LHS Post Grad Center. | The PSAT/NMSQT are the same test. It is given in
October and is the practice test for the SAT. This test is used as a basis for qualification in the pre-National Merit Scholarship Program in the junior year. You must take the exam your sophomore year to be eligible to qualify with your junior exam
| The PLAN is given in November and is
the practice test for the ACT. It includes
an interest and aptitude assessment | Three sections: Math, Critical Reading and Writing
Math: Basic Geometry and Algebra up to Algebra II Reading : Sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension
Writing: An essay, and questions testing grammar, usage and word choice | Four sections: English, Reading, Math, Science, optional writing test
Math: Basic Geometry, Algebra/Algebra II up to Trigonometry
Science: C harts and experiment analysis
Reading : Four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities and Natural Science
English: G rammar
| Scores in each section range from 200-800 | Scores in each section range from 1-36 | 2400 is the top score | The Composite Score is the average of all four scores and the top score is 36 | For each of the multiple choice questions, a correct answer will add 1 point to a student’s “raw” score,
an incorrect answer will deduct 0.25 points to the raw score, and a blank answer will yield 0 points. For the
10 math questions that require a numerical answer, a correct answer adds 1 point to the raw score and an
incorrect answer is worth 0 points. | Each section of the test is graded individually, and based on the total number of correct answers a student has for that section.
There is no “penalty” for incorrect guesses, you do not lose a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer. Guessing is highly encouraged as it cannot hurt your score. The total number of a students correct answers (a student’s “raw score”) gets compared to all other students who
took that same test and converted to a“scaled score” from 1-36. | The NCAA Clearinghouse accepts SAT test scores. | The NCAA Clearinghouse now will accept ACT scores from the Colorado State mandated exam
as well as any other ACT score submitted. | Register for exams at www.collegeboard.com
| Register for exams at www.ACT.org
The Colorado State mandated exam will be given free of charge to all juniors during the school day on the last Wednesday in April.
| Exams may be taken more than once, and are commonly taken again in the fall of senior year. | Exams may be taken more than once, and are commonly taken again in the fall of senior year. | Tutoring/test prep classes are offered by Princeton Review, Kaplan, College Insights and others. | Tutoring/test prep classes are offered by Princeton Review, Kaplan, College Insights and others. |
SAT/ACT
Fee Waivers: Fee Waivers are available to students who need financial assistance. Students that are granted fee waivers are also eligible for free college application feeds. If the cost for any of these things causes a financial hardship please speak with your counselor and they will get the fees waived for you.
Special Needs Students: If you student has an IEP or a 504 plan in place they probably will qualify for extended time when taking the SAT or ACT. Please be sure to discuss this need with your counselor at the beginning of junior year so that all the necessary paperwork can be in place at the time of testing.
Test Scores and Score Reports: Students’ score reports will be mailed to their home address about five weeks after the test. If students request that their scores be sent to colleges or scholarship programs, a report will be sent to each, usually within four weeks after the test. The high school will also receive a score report if students provide our high school CEEB Code number, 060-930 at the time of registration.
Walk-In Testing: Often students miss the deadlines for registration and ask if they can just show up and take the test. The answer is YES, however, they will have to pay a late registration fee plus a walk-in fee so the exam will cost more.
Students wishing to walk-in should show up at the testing site at least 45 minutes before the test begins. They should have with them a registration form fully filled out, a check to be made out for all fees assessed, a picture ID, and calculator. Students are accepted into the testing site in order of their arrival and they will not be admitted without all of the items listed above.
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