PSAT/SAT/ACT

We suggest that students take the PSAT during the Fall of their Junior year. The PSAT is a practice for the SAT, but can also qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship.

For more information, visit the PSAT/NMSQT website http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html?navid=bf-psat

Once PSAT scores are released in December of the testing year, students will want to visit My College Quickstart and use their results to study for the SAT. https://quickstart.collegeboard.org/posweb/login.jsp

The SAT is an aptitude test designed to assess college readiness. Most all four year colleges require the SAT exam for admission and each school determines the target scores. Students should prepare for the SAT well before their scheduled test date. While some students take the SAT more than once, it is important to study the first time and avoid having to test a second or third time. Some ways to prepare for the SAT are to take the PSAT, Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, or "Practice" SAT. Ideally, a student should take the PSAT (offered once in October) their sophomore or junior year and use the PSAT results to study for the SAT. STUDENTS SHOULD PLAN TO TAKE THE SAT IN THE SPRING OF THEIR JUNIOR YEAR. An acceptable score for most colleges is 500 in each test area. Be sure to review the standards specific to the college/major that you are interested in applying.

Take advantage of the free resources available to students to help prepare for the exams. Visit the guidance office to check out an SAT study guide, or pick up a copy of the Getting Ready for the SAT booklet. In addition, www.collegeboard.org has many helpful resources such as daily emails and practice tests and also books for purchase available with more comprehensive study plans.

Free Practice Questions for the SAT

The link below will bring you to a website created by CollegeBoard and the Kahn Academy. Once you create an account, you will be able to access sample questions from the "newly designed" SAT.

http://www.khanacademy.org/sat?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=All%20Users&utm_campaign=SAT%20Launch%20-%20Students&utm_content=C

Register for the SATs

Students must register for the SAT online at their website, CollegeBoard.org. If you do not have internet access, paper applications can be picked up in the guidance office. Ask your counselor for SAT application fee waivers, if you qualify.

Other SAT Study Options to Consider

• Consider a Sylvan SAT course
• Penn State Harrisburg offers SAT-prep weekend courses
• KHANAcademy offers free online SAT test prep
• FreeTestPrep.com offers an online resource for studying for both the SAT and ACT and is of no cost
• http://www.prepfactory.com/invite free SAT and ACT test prep

The ACT is another college-entry exam that a student may opt to take in addition to or in place of the SAT. While most four-year colleges require the SAT, some do accept the ACT instead. Different from the SAT, the ACT is an achievement test and evaluates students in all of the following readiness standards: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science and Writing.

An acceptable composite score for most colleges is 20. Be sure to review the standards specific to the college/major that you are interested in applying. Visit www.actstudent.org for more information, testing calendar and online registration. Refer to the link for interpreting ACT scores.

Study.com offers an ACT free practice test that could help students to identify their areas of strengths, weaknesses and predict ACT score. https://study.com/act/act-practice-tests.html