Three Steps to Testing Success
1. Perspective 2. Familiarity 3. Preparation
1. Perspective
Standardized tests are an important part of applying to college, but they are only one piece of a larger picture that shows your strengths as a student. In addition to these exams, your college application, transcript, teacher recommendations and essay describe the different classes you took, your special talents, interests and leadership qualities, your background, and your personality.
College admissions offices look at your whole application to gauge your academic potential. Also bear in mind that while most colleges require standardized tests, many do not.
2. Familiarity
The PSAT, SAT and ACT are just a few. Get to know the tests!
Talk to your adviser or visit www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org to learn about and register for the PSAT, SAT and ACT exams and other college admissions tests. Your adviser may also have information about where to go for free or low-cost test preparation.
Students take many kinds of tests to apply for college. The PSAT, SAT and ACT are the most commonly known. For more information about other tests, like SAT subject tests, TOEFL, AP tests or CLEP, please see our glossary.
PSAT
Students can and should opt to take this test in both their sophomore and junior years. It is important to take the test in your junior year because this is the year when your score determines your eligibility for National Merit Awards (money for college).
The goal of the PSAT/NMSQT is to help students prepare for the SAT reasoning tests by providing feedback on your academic strengths and weaknesses. The PSAT tries to assess what you have learned in the classroom as well as whether you have gained the skills necessary to succeed in college. The test includes critical reading questions, sentence completion, reading passages and third-year high school college preparatory math. There is no essay section on the PSAT/NMSQT.
The SAT
The SAT takes three hours and 45 minutes to complete. It has three sections: critical reading, math and writing, including an essay section. Scoring ranges are 200–800 points for each of the three sections.
The SAT is designed to connect what students learn in the classroom with the skills they need to succeed in college. The SAT includes grammar and usage multiple-choice questions, reading passages, an essay and third-year preparatory math. The essays are scored by both high school and college teachers. Note that some colleges use the writing section of the SAT as an admissions requirement. Ask the admissions departments of the colleges to which you are applying if they consider the essay when they review applications.
ACT and optional writing section
The ACT has four required sections — English, reading, math and science — plus an optional section in writing. Students need to take the writing section only if the colleges to which they are applying require that section. The writing section is designed to gauge students’ understanding of standard written English, as well as their ability to produce a directed writing sample. The ACT is intended to relate directly to what you learn in your high school English, math and science classes.
SAT/ACT optional schools
If standardized tests are a major struggle for you, be sure to apply to some colleges that do not require the SAT or ACT. More than 280 colleges across the United States do not consider SAT or ACT scores when admitting students. For a list of these schools, go to www.fairtest.org or call (617) 864-4810.
3. Preparation
Doing well on the tests that colleges require takes practice, practice and more practice. Here are a few ways to help you prepare:
Free courses
Take advantage of free or low-cost test-prep courses at your school or local college access program. Test-prep courses will help you become acquainted with the different test sections and their instructions. The more familiar you are, the less nervous you will be. Talk to your adviser or check www.cacny.com or www.pasesetter.com for a list of college access programs near you.
You can also try the following Web sites for online test prep:
Test-prep books and practice tests
Go to your college adviser or visit a library for test-prep books and practice tests. Test-prep books contain loads of practice problems and plenty of hints and information on how to conquer the tests. The College Board Web site provides helpful tips on how to prepare for the PSAT and SAT exams. Create or buy math and vocabulary flashcards for more practice.
Study in groups
Working together allows you to cover more material. You will also gain a fresh and sometimes different perspective on solving problems and finding solutions.
Read widely outside of school
Reading is a great way to expand your mind, improve your reading ability and increase your vocabulary.