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Up
Standardized Tests
Course Work
Choosing a Major
Sat I & II
SAT Training Course
ACT
AP
GED
ACT vs. SAT
PSAT
TOEFL
Test Taking Tips
Test FAQ
Test Anxiety
Quick Test Tips
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The SAT and ACT are two standardized tests that are almost mandatory for
college admittance. These tests predict how well you will do in your first year
of college. They give colleges a good indication of whether their school will be
a good match for you and whether you're eligible for scholarships. Ask the
colleges you're considering which test they prefer. The SAT generally
tests your critical thinking and problem-solving skills while the ACT is more
content oriented. The ACT also has a science reasoning section while the SAT
doesn't.
In addition to the SAT and ACT there are many other standardized tests that,
depending on your circumstances, you may be taking. It is good to have some
general test taking smarts before taking any of these standardized tests. Our SAT
preparation course would be a good place to go to just get some test taking
smarts. The test-taking test tips in it apply whether you take the SAT, the ACT,
or any other standardized test.
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PSAT:
The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) is a two-part, exam that is
very similar to the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). The PSAT consists of
two 25-minute verbal sections, two 25-minute math sections, and one 30-minute
writing skills section. Most people take the PSAT in the fall of their junior
year in high school. Some students choose to take it during their sophomore
year. Scores on the PSAT are used to determine National Merit Scholars, students
who qualify for merit-based scholarships distributed throughout the United
States. Talk to your high school counselor for more information, call the PSAT
information line at (609) 771-7070, or visit College Board Online at www.collegeboard.org/.
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SAT:
The SAT is one of two standardized tests used by colleges as part of their
admissions criteria. The SAT I is a three-hour exam that measures verbal and
math reasoning skills used for admission. Scores on each section range from
200-800 points. The SAT II consists of more than 20 subject area -- or
achievement -- tests designed to measure subject-area knowledge. Contact your
high school counselor for test dates, locations, and study guides, or call
Educational Testing Service for general SAT information at (609) 771-7600 or
toll-free at (888) 477-7728. Visit College Board Online at www.collegeboard.org/.
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ACT Assessment:
Another standardized test used for admissions by colleges is the ACT Assessment.
The test is designed to measure achievement in English, math, reading, and
science. Scores for each section are averaged to create a composite score. A
perfect score on the ACT Assessment is 36. Contact your high school counselor
for test dates, locations, and study materials to familiarize yourself with test
content and questions, call the ACT information line at (319) 337-1000, or visit
the ACT web site at www.act.org/.
Other Tests
Students interested in pursuing a graduate or professional degree are
required to take additional standardized tests to qualify for admission into
those programs. The most common of these tests are:
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Graduate Records Examination (GRE):
The General GRE Test is a test on verbal, quantitative, and analytical abilities
intended for applicants to graduate schools. In addition to the General Test,
the GRE includes subject area tests in 16 different fields. The General Test is
available in paper- and computer-based forms. For more information, contact the
college you are interested in attending, call the GRE General Information line
at (609) 771-7670, or visit the GRE web site at www.gre.org.
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Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT):
The GMAT is a standardized test that is required for admission to most business
schools in the United States. It includes multiple choice questions and a
writing section. The GMAT results in four scores: verbal, quantitative, total,
and analytical writing. The test is available in paper-based and
computer-adaptive forms. For more information, contact the business college you
would like to attend, call the GMAT information line at (609) 771-7330, or visit
the Graduate Management Admission Council's web site at www.gmat.org/.
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Law School Admission Test (LSAT):
The LSAT is a half-day, multiple choice test used for admission into law
schools. The test is administered four times a year. Contact the law school you
are interested in attending, call the LSAT information line at (215) 968-1001,
or visit the LSAT web site at www.lsat.org/.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):
The MCAT is a standardized test given in April and August of each year. The test
includes four sections: verbal reasoning, physical sciences, writing sample, and
biological sciences. For more information, contact the medical school you are
interested in attending, call the MCAT general information line at (319)
337-1357, or visit the MCAT web site at www.aamc.org/stuapps/admiss/mcat/.
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)/Test of Spoken English
(TSE)/Test of Written English (TWE):
If you are a student whose native language is not English and you are applying
to a college in the United States, you may have to take tests to measure your
English language skills. The TOEFL is a multiple choice test that evaluates a
student's English proficiency in reading, writing, and listening; the TSE
evaluates English speaking ability; and the TWE evaluates English writing
ability. For more information, contact the college you are planning to attend,
call the TOEFL information line at (609) 951-1100, or visit the TOEFL web site
at http://www.ets.org/toeflets.html.
AP Program
- The Advanced Placement Program
CLEP - College
Level Examination Program
SAT - Scholastic
Assessment Test
PSAT / NMSQT
- Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship
ACT - American
College Testing Program
GRE - Graduate
Record Exam
GMAT - Graduate
Management Admission Test
LSAT - Law
School Admission Test
MCAT - Medical
College Admission Test
TOEFL - Test
of English as a Foreign Language
Various -
Testing & Test Preparation Resources
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