Standardized Testing

Most students planning to attend college after graduation will likely take tests offered by the College Board. College-bound juniors should take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), which is offered once a year in October. Following this test, students should plan to take the SAT I: Reasoning Tests and, if appropriate, the SAT II: Subject Tests in the spring of the junior year and probably again in the fall of the senior year.

The SAT I: The reasoning test is a three hour exam that measures a student's ability to reason verbally and mathematically. Most four year colleges and some two year colleges require the SAT I. Registration forms and a preparation booklet are available in the Guidance Office and on the College Board's website.  Both will help students become familiar with the SAT I test. Registration forms should be completed online. Your counselor can help you register in the career center. Most students register online - this allows students to immediately verify their testing center choice and choose a different site if necessary.

The SAT II: Subject tests are required by many of the more competitive colleges and universities.  Of those colleges that do require subject tests, most require testing in three subject areas.  The requirements vary by college, and it is the applicant's responsibility to complete the appropriate SAT II tests.  Subject tests are one hour exams and students can take up to three on a given test date. They cannot be taken on the same test date as the SAT I. Registration forms and a preparation booklet are available in the Guidance Office and on the College Board's website. Students should confer with their guidance counselor to determine a testing program and timetable.

Subject tests currently are offered in the following areas, although not all areas are available on each test date: Writing, Literature, United States (U.S.) History, World History, Math Level IC, Math Level IIC, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, Foreign Languages: Spanish, French, Latin, German, Italian, Modern Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and the English Language Proficiency Test (for students for whom English is a second language).

FairTest's updated College Admissions Test Score Optional list is available for students. This list includes colleges and universities that de-emphasize the use of standardized tests. These schools make admissions decisions for applicants who recently graduated without looking at the SAT I or ACT. As the footnotes indicate, some schools exempt students who meet grade-point average or class rank criteria. Others require SAT I or ACT scores, but use them only for placement purposes.

Click here for a list of useful Standardized Testing Links

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