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What Standardized Tests Should I Take and When? |
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Testing Home |
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Introduction |
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College Advisement Home |
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MKHS Home |
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This page is intended to help MKHS students and parents understand standardized testing options and requirements.� We hope that by providing definitions, advice, and timetables, we can help eliminate the confusion which often surrounds this topic.� On this page you will find the recommended testing pattern for students organized by class year.� You will also find background information about specific tests and a glossary of terms. |
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Ninth Grade |
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All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be registered to take the PSAT examination in mid October.� The PSAT is given to 9th and 10th grade students at no-cost. The PSAT is optional for 11th grade students and is strongly recommended if there is a desire to continue on to college. The PSAT for 11th graders will cost around 10 dollars. Students will take the exam in school during the school day. The PSAT is designed for students in the 11th grade as a practice test for the SAT. Students should not be concerned with preparation for the PSAT as it is meant only to help students define their strengths and weaknesses. The CAP Office at MKHS recommends that students in the ninth grade not take any other national standardized tests.� Beginning in the ninth grade all tests taken become part of the student?s test record with the testing companies.� Generally speaking, student?s skills in the ninth grade are not sufficient to warrant taking a national test designed for older students.� The PSAT grade will not appear on a students test record and is therefore recommended as practice. |
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Tenth Grade |
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PSAT
All students will be taking the PSAT examination in mid October. � |
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SAT II
SAT II tests are specific one-hour subject tests required by highly selective colleges. Students may take up to three SAT II tests in May or June.� Students may take only the SAT I or SAT II on any given test date.� SAT II tests may also be taken during the junior year and in the fall of the senior year.� It is recommended that the tests be taken just after the student completes a course in the subject. |
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Eleventh Grade |
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PSAT
Students in the 11th grade have the option to either take the PSAT or the ASVAB in mid October.� PSAT results are not reported to colleges; it is only practice for taking the SAT later in the year.� Taking the test provides high scorers with the opportunity to participate in the National merit Scholarship competition as well as determine their performance chances when they begin taking the SAT I.. |
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SAT I
Students generally begin taking the SAT I in January of their junior year.� It is suggested that taking the January SAT I early will give students plenty of time to make any testing strategy adjustments.� This will clear up the spring for AP exams, the ACT and SAT II subject tests.� Students may register online at: |
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http://www.collegeboard.org |
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ACT
Students should begin taking the ACT in February or April of their junior year. Colleges can accept both SAT and ACT.�It is wise to take both to determine which test demonstrates your abilities in the best way. Students may register online at: |
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http://www.act.org |
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SAT II
SAT II tests are specific one-hour subject tests required by highly selective colleges.�Students may take up to three SAT II tests in May or June. �Students may take only the SAT I or SAT II on any given test date.�SAT II tests may also be taken in the fall of the senior year. |
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Twelfth Grade |
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SAT I
Seniors who have not yet taken the SAT I, or who wish to retake the test, may do so in October, November or December. Students can obtain testing dates and register online at: |
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http://www.collegeboard. |
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SAT II
Students may take up to three SAT II tests in October, November or December.� Seniors applying to any college on an early decision or early action plan are advised to take SAT II tests no later than November.� Students may take only SAT I or SAT II on any given test date. |
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ACT
Seniors who have not yet taken the ACT, or those who wish to retake the test, may do so in October, November or December. Students may register online at: |
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http://www.act.org |
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GLOSSARY |
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ACT-�� A college admissions test administered six times per year in test centers throughout the country.�Colleges unusually require that students submit scores from the ACT or SAT as part of the college admissions process.�The test consists of four sections English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning.� Students receive a score for each section plus a composite score ranging from 1 to 36. |
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AP - Advanced Placement Examinations - Students who have just completed a specific Advanced Placement course take these examinations each year in May.� They are not required for college admissions but are often used for college credit or for placement in advanced courses upon admission to college.� Colleges will look favorably on strong results on AP exams. |
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CPT - College Placement Test.; Given at Florida Community Colleges for placement only.. Usually administered on site at a computer station. Scoring is immediate. |
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PSAT - Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test.�Given nationally at test centers throughout the country.� Test centers may choose to administer the PSAT on the Saturday date OR the Tuesday date but may administer the PSAT only on one date.� Juniors take the PSAT as a predictor of college success and as practice for the SAT. Scores on the PSAT are used for the National Merit Scholarship Qualification (referred to as NMSQT).� Colleges do NOT receive PSAT scores, however, they often buy names of test takers to begin sending college literature to students who have taken the PSAT. |
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SAT I - Scholastic Assessment Test. �SAT I is officially called the SAT I: Reasoning Test.� It consists of verbal and math sections and takes three hours.� The test is administered seven times per year at test centers around the country and the world.� Nearly all selective colleges and universities require this test (or the ACT) as part of the admissions decision. |
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SAT II - The official name of SAT II is SAT II: Subject Tests.�These are one-hour tests measuring specific achievement in 18 subject areas such as writing, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and history.� Selective colleges may require SAT II: Subject Tests in addition to SAT I.� If they are required, most colleges ask for any three subject tests of the student's choosing.� It is advisable to check college catalogs for any specific requirements.� SAT II tests may be taken at national test centers on regular test dates.�Students may take only SAT I or SAT II on any given test date.� Up to three SAT II tests may be taken at a time. |
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Score Choice - This is a service option which allows students to hold their SAT II: Subject Tests results until the student has seen them, and the release them to colleges and universities if they choose to do so. |
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