• Deciding which test(s) to take
• Top 13 tips for taking the SAT
• Jr. Testing dates (PSAT)
• SAT test dates
• ACT test dates
• Advanced placement test schedule
• Testing links

ACT vs. SAT
Which test should I take?
That's a good question! The best thing to do if you know where you are applying is to check to see if they have a preference. The ACT people sent the following information. "Most college-bound students know that a necessary component of an admission application is a college entrance test score. Most colleges and universities will not process an application without one. The two national tests are the ACT (American College Test) and the SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test)—and almost all four-year colleges/universities in the nation accept either test score equally.

Because research indicates that many students perform quite differently on the ACT and the SAT I, it may benefit you to take both tests. The choice is yours! Take one or both, since colleges typically use the higher of the two scores for admission, scholarship and athletic eligibility. Approximately 2000 U.S. 4-year, technical and community colleges require ACT or SAT I scores. Of those colleges 89% accept either ACT or SAT I."

Scoring
The SAT I top score that includes critical reading, math, and writing components is 2400. The ACT top score that includes a composite score of English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning is 36 with a writing section that is scored separately.

What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?
The SAT I is 1/3 critical reading, 1/3 math, and 1/3 writing. The ACT is 25% Mathematics, 25% Science Reasoning, 25% English, and 25% Reading with the writing component scored separately.

When should I take the test(s)?
Plan to take your first SAT I or ACT during the spring of your junior year.

How do I apply?
Pick up applications in the counseling office, or click on the links provided in the SAT and ACT test dates.

Top 13 Tips—How to do your best on the SAT
(Source: College Board Online)

1. Know the test directions. For every five minutes you spend reading directions, you'll have five fewer minutes available to answer questions. Learn the directions now. The essay section is the first you will do.
2. Know what to expect. Questions of the same type are grouped together. Except for the critical reading questions, the easier questions are at the beginning of the section and the harder questions are at the end.
3. Do the easy questions first. You earn just as many points for easy questions as you do for hard questions.
4. Know how the test is scored. You get one point for each correct answer. You lose a fraction of a point for a wrong answer, except on the student-produced response questions in the math section. On those questions, no points are deducted for wrong answers.
5. Guess smart. If you can rule out one or more answer choices for a multiple-choice question as definitely wrong, your chances of guessing the right answer improve.
6. Don't panic if you can't answer every question. You don't have to answer every question correctly to get a good score. On the practice test—Taking the SAT I: Reasoning Test, you can get an average score by just answering about half of the questions correctly (and omitting the remaining questions).
7. Omit questions that you really have no idea how to answer. No points are lost for omitting a question. But don't forget tip number 5. If you can rule out any choices, you probably should guess.
8. Be careful when filling in the grids on the answer sheet for the math questions that are not multiple-choice questions. (There are some important rules for this, so be sure to refer to Taking the SAT I: Reasoning Test for an example.)
9. Use your test book to do scratchwork to cross off answers you know are wrong and to mark questions you did not answer so you can go back if there's time. Be sure to mark your answers on the separate answer sheet, because you won't receive credit for any answers you marked in the test book.
10. Know your answer sheet. It has four pages, and you need to know what answers go in which section. Again, refer to Taking the SAT I: Reasoning Test which has a sample answer sheet for you to look at.
11. Don't make extra marks on your answer sheet. The answer sheet is machine-scored and the machine can't tell an answer from a doodle.
12. Mark only one answer to each multiple-choice question. See examples in Taking the SAT I: Reasoning Test. Also, check during the test to make sure that you are marking the correct oval on the answer sheet.
13. Take the PSAT/NMSQT. It has the same kinds of questions as the SAT I, but it's a shorter test. If you are a sophomore or a junior, it's the best way to practice and get feedback as you start planning for college.

PSAT/NMSQT Information Test Date:  Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 7:45 - 11:30 Cost: $13 What is it? This "alphabet soup" stands for Pre-Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This test is important for two reasons: it prepares you to take the SAT I and 2) if you have a high score you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship competition. National Merit Scholars become semifinalists and then finalists if your score is within the top 1%, you are taking a rigorous course of academics for college preparation, and your Principal recommends you. (The top score on each of the sections is 80). Finalists many times receive a "full ride" (4 years of tuition) to their chosen university/college. WAY COOL!! So, mark October 15 on your calendar NOW. YES, RIGHT NOW!!! SAT Test Dates 2008-2009 Note—Test dates and cost subject to change Regular test fee: $45.00 Late registration: Additional $23 Register online at: www.collegeboard.com, or pick up a registration packet in the SCS counseling office. Study for the SAT online at: www.collegeboard.com Test dates Regular Deadline October 4, 2008 September 9, 2008 November 1, 2008 September 26, 2008 December 6, 2008 November 5, 2008 January 24, 2009 December 26, 2008 March 14, 2009 February 10, 2009 May 2, 2009 March 31, 2009 June 6, 2009 May 15, 2009 ACT Test Dates 2007-2008 Note—Test dates and cost subject to change Regular test fee: $31 (ACT plus optional writing test: $46) Late registration: Additional $20 Register online at: www.actstudent.org, or pick up a registration packet in the SCS counseling office. Study for the ACT online at: www.actstudent.org Test dates Regular Deadline September 13, 2008 August 12, 2008 October 25, 2008 September 19, 2008 December 13, 2008 November 7, 2008 February 7, 2009 January 6, 2009 April 4, 2009 February 27, 2009 June 13, 2009 May 8, 2009 Advanced Placement (AP) Test Dates 2009 The 2009 AP tests will be administered during the weeks of May 4-15. Tuesday, May 5: Spanish Language, Wednesday, May 6: Calculus, Thursday, May 7: English Literature, Friday, May 8:US History, Monday May 11: Physics . Study for the AP tests online at: www.apexlearning.com Testing Links College Board Online—www.collegeboard.com Association of schools and colleges offering services and programs in the areas of assessment, guidance, admission, placement, financial aid, curriculum, and research. PSAT and SAT information. www.actstudent.org—The ACT test—assessment, test preparation materials, answers to frequently asked questions. www.testprep.com/wwmain.sat.html—This site lets you target your weak areas and then provides skill and review lessons. www.review.com www.kaptest.com www.encarta.msn.com/college www.testprep.com www.powerprep.com