Standardized
tests are required on most college applications, which are
used as part of the college admission process along with other
factors (i.e. supporting documents, grades, extracurricular
activities, etc.). The tests are designed to measure students’
knowledge in areas determined to predict their academic success
in college. Standardized tests are not intelligence or IQ
tests, and their scores do not indicate how smart a student
is. Each year, students with low-test scores are admitted
to college. However, these students usually had good grades
in high school, wrote a good essay, and were actively involved
in school and/or their community. Conversely, students who
had high test scores, but fair grades in high school have
also been admitted to college.
There are several standardized tests which
measure a student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.
There no limit to how many times you can take any test.
Colleges will use your highest scores when they evaluate
your application. The two most commonly used college admission
tests are the SAT and ACT. Students usually take these tests
during their junior year, early in their senior year, or
both. Visit your high school counselor regarding registration,
fees, and test dates and sites. This information is also
available on the test centers’ web sites. Contact
the colleges in which you are interested in attending to
see which tests they require or accept. Listed below are
brief descriptions of college entrance/placement tests and
tests for college credit.
Entrance/Placement
Tests
•
PSAT
and NMSQT
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a preparatory
exam for the SAT. PSATs are offered annually and are
taken by high school sophomores and juniors. This test
allows students to identify their strengths and weaknesses
in certain areas on the test. Students with low scores
in certain areas can seek help through various resources
(i.e. books, workshops, etc.) to help them prepare and
score better on the actual SAT test. PSATs taken during
your junior year can qualify you for the National
Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarships and other
awards. For more information about the PSATs, test resources,
sample questions, and study aids, visit The
College Board Online.
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Now!
•
ACT
The ACT, administered by the American
College Testing Service, is designed to measure
a student’s English, mathematics, reading, and
science reasoning abilities. Test scores range from
1 to 36. Colleges use the ACT as a factor in admitting
students, awarding scholarships, and placing students
in appropriate classes, special programs, and honors
courses. Students usually take this test during their
junior year, early in their senior year, or both; contact
each college to make sure the ACT is accepted. For more
information about the ACT, test resources, sample questions,
and study aids, visit the ACT
website.
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Now!
•
SAT
I and SAT II: Subject Tests
The SAT I and II are administered by The College Board.
Students usually take this test during their junior
year, early in their senior year, or both; contact each
college to make sure the SAT is accepted. The SAT I
is designed to measure a student’s verbal and
mathematical reasoning abilities. Test scores range
from 200 to 800 on both the verbal and math sections.
Colleges use the SAT I scores for admissions purposes
and in awarding scholarships. SAT II: Subject Tests
are given in specific subjects such as mathematics,
science, English, or foreign languages. More selective
schools require students to take one or more SAT II
tests for freshman placement and/or college course credit
when they apply for admission. For more information
about the SAT, test resources, and study aids, visit
The
CollegeBoard Website.
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Now!
•
Graduate
Record Exam (GRE)
The GRE is administered by the ETS. Students applying
for graduate school (advanced study after receiving
the equivalent of a four-year college degree) take the
GRE. The GRE is an important factor for acceptance in
graduate school programs. There are two tests: the GRE
General Test and the GRE Subject Tests. The GRE General
Test is designed to measure a student’s verbal,
quantitative, and analytical skills acquired over time
and that are not related to any specific field of study.
GRE Subject Tests are designed to measure a student’s
knowledge of particular subjects, such as Biology, English,
or Mathematics. You may have to take both test depending
on the program you are applying for. The scores from
these tests are used to help predict a student’s
success in studies on the graduate level. For more information
about the GRE, test resources, and study aids, visit
the GRE
website.
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Now!
•
TOEFL
and ELPT
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and
the ELPT (English Language Proficiency SAT II: Subject
Test) are designed to evaluate the English proficiency
of students who attend U.S. high schools, whose native
language is not English, whose best language is not
English, or who usually speak a language other than
English at home. These tests measure a student's understanding
of spoken and written standard American English and
how well he or she will function in a classroom where
English is spoken. Colleges and universities use either
TOEFL or ELPT scores to help them place entering students
in the appropriate English and developmental classes;
contact each college to see which test they require
or accept. For more information on the about these tests,
sample questions, and study aids, visit at TOEFL
or English
Language Proficiency SAT II: Subject Test.
Order
Now!
•
ASSET
The ACT ASSET Program is a series of short placement
tests designed to measure a student’s strength
and needs in language, reading comprehension, mathematics
(numerical skills, elementary algebra, and geometry),
and study skills. ASSET is used primarily at community
colleges. For more information, visit the ACT:
ASSET.
•
COMPASS
The ACT Computerized Adaptive Placement Assessment and
Support System (COMPASS) is a series of tests designed
to measure a student’s strength and weakness in
mathematics, reading, writing, and English as a second
language skills. For more information, visit the ACT:
COMPASS.
•
CPAt
The Career Programs Assessment (CPAt) measures a student’s
basic skills in three areas: language, reading, and
arithmetic. Proprietary schools primarily use this test.
For more information, visit the ACT:
CPAt.
Tests
for College Credit
•
AP
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations are given to students
taking AP courses in high school. There are 33 courses
in 19 subjects including history, government, English,
music, art, and some sciences and foreign languages.
Students that receive high-test scores on AP exams can
earn college credit, be exempt from certain required
college courses, and/or be eligible for honors or other
specialized programs. AP exams are not required as part
of the college admissions process, and many students
who choose to take AP exams do so in the spring of their
senior year. If you are taking an AP course, you should
check with the college you plan to attend to determine
their policy on AP courses and exams. For more information,
visit The
CollegeBoard: AP.
•
CLEP
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers
34 examinations for many subjects traditionally taken
during the first two years of college. Some colleges
use the scores to award credit for undergraduate college
courses without attending the class. Sometimes, these
exams are also used by business, industry, government,
and professional groups to satisfy educational requirements
for advancement, licensing, and admission to training
programs. For more information, visit The
CollegeBoard: CLEP.
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