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What are the SAT's?

Scholastic Aptitude Test - The SAT I gives colleges an indication of a student's verbal and mathematical aptitude, this is required for admission to most colleges.

The SAT II's are given in a variety of subjects and are designed to test the level of knowledge of a student in a specific academic discipline. Most colleges which require these use the scores for placement in various levels of freshman courses and not for the purpose of the admissions decision process.

Exam dates, registration deadlines, and online registration can be found at the College Board Online. Registration forms are also available in the Guidance Center.

What are the ACT's?

American College Test - Similar to the SAT I, it yields scores in four areas: English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Test dates, registration deadlines, and registration forms are available in the Guidance Center. Or check out their web site www.act.org online registration is available.

SPECIAL PREPARATION FOR THE SAT

If you are thinking about the value of special coaching for the SAT outside of your regular classroom activities, the following 6 points (written by the College Board) are worth considering.

1. The SAT measures developed verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that are involved in successful academic work in college; it is not a test of some inborn and unchanging capacity.
2. Scores on the SAT are subject to improvement as educational experience, both in and out of school, enables these verbal and mathematical abilities to develop.
3. The development of the abilities measured by the SAT are related to educational experiences of the student; short-term drill and cramming are likely to have little effect. Longer-term preparation that develops skills and abilities can have greater impact.
4. While drill and practice on sample test questions generally results in little effect on test scores, preparation of this kind can familiarize you with different question types and may help to reduce anxiety about what to expect. You can help yourself to become familiar with the test by using the explanations and full sample test in Taking the SAT, a booklet available in the Guidance Department.
5. Whether longer preparation, apart from what is available to you within your regular high school course, is worth the time, effort and money is a decision you and your parents must make for yourselves. Results seem to vary considerably from program to program, and for each person within any one program. Studies of special preparation programs carried on in many high schools show results averaging about 10 points above the average increases that would otherwise be expected from intellectual growth and practice. In other programs, results have ranged from virtually no improvement in scores to average gains as high as 25-30 points for particular groups of students or particular programs. Recent studies of commercial coaching have shown a similar range of results. You should satisfy yourself that the results of a special program or courses are likely to make a difference in relation to your college admission plans.
6. Generally the soundest preparation for the SAT is to study widely with emphasis on academic courses and extensive outside reading. SAT score increases of 20-30 points correspond to about three additional questions answered correctly. Such a result might be obtained by independent study in addition to regular academic course work.