College Entrance Exams
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Some competitive colleges may require the SAT II in specific subject areas. Students should apply for the appropriate test prior to the registration deadline. Information and applications for these tests are provided through the guidance office. A variety of SAT and ACT study materials are available for student use in the career center or counselor's office such as printed material or internet websites. In addition, students can purchase entrance exam preparatory books, videos, and computer software at most major book stores.
The following is a brief description of each exam:
* SAT I - A three hour measurement of verbal and mathematical reasoning and writing abilities. Critical Reading questions test ability to understand and analyze what is read, recognize relationships between parts of a sentence, and establish relationships between pairs of words. Vocabulary skills are tested using reading passages, sentences, and word-pairs. Mathematics questions test your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. The score is reported on a scale of 200 - 800 for both critical reading and math. The Star Student of each high school is the senior who has the highest combined SAT score in one sitting taken through the November test date of their senior year and be in the top 10% of their class. There is an optional writing section that is required for some colleges. Check with you college to see if you are required to submit a writing score.
* ACT - Approximately, a three hour test which measures students' educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. The ACT is an achievement test. The score is reported on a scale of 1- 36 for each subject area tested and a composite score. There is an optional writing section that is required for some colleges. Check with you college to see if you are required to submit a writing score.
* ACCUPLACER - An untimed test that can be used for admission into technical colleges and some two-year colleges. The test is designed to assess your knowledge in math, reading and writing. These tests help to identify both strengths and improvement areas in each subject.
* SAT II - An array of subject tests; each test takes one hour. These tests measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply the knowledge. Some colleges, especially the selective ones, require the student to take BOTH the SAT I and the SAT II in certain subject areas for admissions or placement purposes.
* PSAT - A shortened "practice" version of the SAT I utilizing "retired" SAT questions. Students use this to prepare for their SAT I test. All Sophomores are allowed to take this test for free through a grant from the State of Georgia. Freshman and Juniors are allowed to take this by paying a fee. In order to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship, students must take the PSAT/NMSQT during their Junior year. A PSAT score is also necessary for consideration for the summer Governor's Honors Program.
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) is required for admission to all University System of Georgia universities and colleges (and most private universities and colleges). Students should plan to take the SAT, ACT, or both by the spring of the junior year as well as the fall of the senior year. Many scholarship applications require scores from fall test dates. Check the college catalog in the guidance office to find which test or tests are required by the school(s) you are considering. Most colleges and universities will accept scores from either the SAT or the ACT. Because research indicates that many students perform quite differently on the ACT and SAT I, it may benefit you to take both tests. Colleges typically use the higher of the two scores for admission, scholarship, and athletic eligibility.
