Standardized Testing

Standardized testing often causes students and parents great anxiety, and it can be the least familiar and least understood part of the college application process. To reduce this anxiety, please find below brief descriptions of the various tests available and the role they might play in the admission process. We also recommend that students create a plan (and follow through with that plan!) for some type of test preparation. Also below, you will find a list of testing dates and information about colleges with test-optional adminssions policies.

Students can prepare for tests using any number of test preparation books, courses or private tutors. Although we do not recommend any specific test prepraration service, we have compiled a list of private tutors and tutoring services that have been used by SSA students.

Types of Tests

PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) is just that, a warm-up for the SAT. It contains tests in Mathematics, Critical Reading and Writing. Test results are reported on a scale from 20 to 80 in each subtest. PSAT scores are used in two (2) ways: 1) to predict approximate scores on the SAT (by multiplying the PSAT scores by 10); and 2) as the initial qualifying step in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Shady Side students will take the test twice (and be registered for the test by the school), in the fall of the sophomore and junior years. It is the junior year score which counts for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

SAT Reasoning Test

The SAT reasoning test theoretically measures the ability of a student to think (reason) at the collegiate level. The test contains sections testing mathematics, critical reading and writing. Scores are reported on a scale from 200 to 800. These scores are used as part of the data to make admission decisions, and in some cases, merit scholarship eligibility. Students can choose which scores from this test are reported (using Score Choice a student could suppress the scores from a certain test date), but applicants must comply with each college's score reporting policy.

SAT Subject Test

SAT subject tests are offered in a wide variety of subjects and are designed to test a student's knowledge in that particular subject. Scores are reported on a scale from 200 to 800. These scores are used by some schools as part of the data to make admission decisions, although usually by the more selective schools. Students can choose which scores are reported, (using score choice a students could suppress individual subject test scores), but applicants must comply with each college's score reporting policy.

ACT

The ACT test is a curriculum-based test containing subtests in English, Reading, Mathematics and Science. The ACT offers an optional Writing test as well. Scores are reported on a scale from 1 to 36 in each subtest and in a composite score as well. Students report scores from specific test dates to colleges. The ACT is used in place of the SAT as part of the data to make admission decisions, and, in some cases, eligibility for merit scholarships. Since the ACT is more curriculum-based than the SAT, some students prefer it and score higher.

AP

Advanced Placement tests are given in a wide variety of subjects to demonstrate a student's proficiency in a particular subject. AP tests are administered in May each year. These tests are usually taken as the culmination of an academic course designed to prepare a student to take the test (here at Shady Side that would be Calculus AB or BC, fifth level of a foreign language or AP Computer Science), although there are a number of SSA students who take an AP test after some additional independent work outside of the classroom. Advanced Placement tests are scored on a scale from 1 to 5, and the scores are used to place students into appropriate classes in college. Some colleges may allow a student with a certain number of high AP scores to enter with advanced standing and graduate earlier. AP scores are generally not used in the admission decision.

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Suggested Testing Sequence

Freshman year

Students could consider taking an SAT Subject test if they are in an advanced level course. This is purely optional and should only be taken after consulting with a teacher and/or one of the College Counselors.

Sophomore year

Students will take the PSAT for the first time in October. Students could consider taking an SAT Subject test if they are in an advanced level course. This is purely optional and should only be taken after consulting with a teacher and/or one of the College Counselors.

Junior year

Students will take the PSAT for the second time in October (this score will count for the National Merit Scholarship Competition).

Students should take the SAT Reasoning test in either November or December. We also recommend that students take an ACT in either October or November. Students will then take either the ACT or SAT Reasoning test again in the spring in consultation with their College Counselor. We also recommend that families consider a test preparation program between these two test administrations.

Students should take three SAT Subject tests in May or June.

In May, students may choose to take AP tests as appropriate.

Senior year

In consultation with their counselor, students may re-take the SAT, ACT or SAT Subject tests in September, October and November.

In May, students may choose to take AP tests as appropriate.

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2010-11 Testing Dates

SAT 2010-11 Test Dates

(not all tests are offered on all dates, please refer to the College Board for details.)

ACT 2010-11 Test Dates

(Subject to change. Please refer to the ACT Web site.)

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Colleges with Test Optional Admissions Policies

There are a growing number of colleges (as of this writing, over 815 four-year colleges and universities!) that have adopted test-optional admission policies. Students have the choice of submitting test scores as part of their admission materials or not. In some cases, these schools will require additional materials (for example, an extra application essay, or the submission of a graded piece of academic work) in lieu of test scores. View an up-to-date, searchable list of test-optional schools.

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