College Admissions Tests
By Kristi Vaughan
The testing for college admissions can begin as early as freshman year in high school for some of the more advanced students. By junior year it is in full swing with no escape for the college bound. So what can you, or your child expect? And what tests should be taken?
For most college applicants there are four sets of admissions tests to understand and consider taking. Three of these, the PSAT/NMSQT®, SAT I and SAT II are administered by the College Board. The fourth, the ACT Assessment™, is administered by ACT, Inc.
Because each college has its own testing requirements, and the tests are only offered at specific times, it is a good idea to plan far ahead and check with the colleges to which you are applying to see what tests they will need.
PSAT/NMSQT®
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test® is, as the name implies a preliminary test of the skills that will be tested by the SAT I. It also serves as the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship consideration. The PSAT is offered in the fall of the student’s junior year. It tests verbal reasoning skills, critical reasoning skills, math problem solving skills and writing skills. Some students, especially those who are advanced in math, take this test for practice in their sophomore year.
SAT I
As with the PSAT/NMSQT, the SAT I measures verbal reasoning skills, critical reasoning skills, math problem solving skills and, as of 2005, writing skills.
Each of the three sections of the test is scored on a range of 200 (low) to 800 (high). Many, but not all, colleges use these scores as one criterion for determining admissions. Scores also may be used in determining eligibility for merit-based financial aid.
The SAT I is generally taken in the junior or senior year of high school and can be taken more than once. The test lasts about three hours and is offered several times a year.
Beginning in spring 2005, the SAT I will include a third component focusing on writing skills. This section will include multiple-choice questions and a student written essay. The College Board added the new measure to improve alignment of the test with current curriculum and institutional practices and to emphasize the importance of writing as part of a student’s education.
ACT
The ACT is a three-and-a-half hour-long college admissions exam that measures skills in English, reading, math and science. It is scored on a range of 1 (low) to 36 (high) for each test as well as a composite score.
As with the SAT I, colleges use these scores to evaluate students applying for admission. Most colleges or universities in the U.S. will accept the ACT Assessment™ tests. The ACT is offered on five national test dates and is generally taken by high school juniors and seniors.
SAT II
The SAT II tests are subject tests that measure a student’s ability in any of 22 different subject areas including English, history, math, sciences and foreign languages. Some of the more selective colleges ask that students take up to three SAT II tests, with at least one being a science or math. Other colleges are less specific or do not require them at all.
SAT II tests are offered on the same days as SAT I test. There is no set timetable for taking the SAT IIs but many college advisors suggest taking a test upon completion of that subject even if it as early as freshman year.
