11TH GRADE: THE PSAT/NMSQT® & ACT®/SAT® Testing Systems and Your Grades
The ACT®/SAT® are paramount in positioning yourself for college admission & scholarships. They are test scoring systems colleges use to make admission decisions and for awarding merit-based scholarships. Check with the colleges you are interested in to verify what their testing policies or transcript requirements are.
Practice tests (PSAT/NMSQT® & PreACT®) will sharpen your test skills and prepare you for the ACT®/SAT®. The sophomore year is particularly important for the PSAT™ 10, although your school may also offer these in the 8th & 9thgrades. The PreACT®, if available, is also offered in the sophomore year. These practice tests are great tools to familiarize yourself with the ACT®/SAT® and gain test experience. Furthermore, they provide valuable results to evaluate strengths and weaknesses in specific subject areas and aid you in making a study plan to improve weaker scores. High scores on the PSAT/NMSQT® could qualify you for the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic scholarship program for recognition and scholarships governed by the National Merit® Scholarship Corporation (NMSC™). If applicable, students can also apply for the African American Recognition Program, National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program, Indigenous Recognition Program, and Rural and Small-Town Recognition Program. For more information, visit:
https://www.nationalmerit.org/
The junior year is primarily for the ACT®/SAT®. If you have questions specific to your circumstance, communicate with your school guidance counselor. Work with your school guidance counselor to get any free guidebooks on how to prepare to take the ACT®/SAT®. Remember to check with your school guidance counselor and the institutions on what tests they may require for the admission & scholarship application processes. The ACT® will cover English, math, science, reading, and writing (optional). The SAT® will cover reading, writing & language, math (one section with a calculator and one without), and an essay (optional). For more information, visit:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
Beyond this, students may also take SAT Subject Tests™. These tests cover individual subjects in the areas of math, history, science, literature, and languages. SAT Subject Tests™ help students stand out in college admission & scholarship applications and give a more complete picture of the applicant. Some colleges may require or recommend that you take these tests, especially if you are applying to take specific courses or if you are homeschooled. It is best to take subject tests after completion in courses on the subject matter, while it is still fresh in your mind. For more information, visit:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests
You must complete online registration at least one month prior to your ACT®/SAT® test day, otherwise seats may not be available and late fees apply. To register, you will need internet access, a credit card or voucher code from the college access advisor, school code number, high school course details, and you must upload a headshot photo. Once you have registered, be aware that testing dates & sites may change. You will be notified via email. It is recommended to register & take the ACT®/SAT® or SAT Subject Tests™ a total of two or three times to maximize your test score. For more information, visit:
http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register
ACT® – TEST DATES FOR 2020-2021
Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)
September 12, 2020 August 14 August 15 -August 28
October 24, 2020 September 18 September 19 – October 2
December 12, 2020 November 6 November 7 – November 20
February 6, 2021 January 8 January 9 – January 15
April 17, 2021 March 12 March 13 – March 26
June 12, 2021 May 7 May 8 – May 21
July 17, 2021 June 18 June 19 – June 25
http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
SAT® – TEST DATES FOR 2020-2021
Test Date Registration Deadline Late Deadline
September 26, 2020 August 26, 2020 September 15, 2020
October 3, 2020 September 4, 2020 September 22, 2020
November 7, 2020 October 7, 2020 October 27, 2020
December 5, 2020 November 5, 2020 November 24, 2020
March 13, 2021 February 12, 2021 March 2, 2021
May 8, 2021 April 8, 2021 April 27, 2021
June 5, 2021 May 6, 2021 May 26, 2021
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/
SAT Subject Tests™ – DATES FOR 2020-2021
(for specific subject tests available, see website below)
Test Date Registration Deadline Late Deadline
October 3, 2020 September 4, 2020 September 15, 2020 (mail) September 22, 2020 (online/phone)
November 7, 2020 October 7, 2020 October 20, 2020 (mail)
October 27, 2020 (online/phone)
December 5, 2020 November 5, 2020 November 17, 2020 (mail)
November 24, 2020 (online/phone)
May 8, 2021 April 8, 2021 April 20, 2021 (mail)
April 27, 2021 (online/phone)
June 5, 2021 May 6, 2021 May 18, 2021 (mail)
May 26, 2021 (online/phone)
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/register/test-dates-deadlines
STUDY AIDS
ACT Academy™ – https://academy.act.org/
Keys to Success – http://www.ktsutah.com/
KHAN ACADEMY® – https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
Shmoop – https://schools.shmoop.com
MARCH TWO SUCCESS®– https://www.march2success.com/
ADDITIONAL NOTE
More than 800 schools nationally have an ACT®/SAT® test-optional policy, meaning they do not require standardized test score for admission decisions. Instead they may look at AP® test results, SAT Subject Test™ results, high school transcripts, specific assignments from junior & senior years, and TOEFL® results. Check with the colleges you are interested in to know what their testing policies & requirements are. For more information on TOEFL®, visit:
ACT® VS SAT® TESTING
| ACT® | SAT® | |
| Time Allotted | 2 hrs. 55 mins w/out Writing3 hrs. 35 mins w/ Writing | 3 hrs. w/out Essay3 hrs. 50 mins w/ Essay |
| Section Order | 1. English2. Math3. Reading4. Science5. Writing (optional) | 1. Reading2. Writing & Language3. Math (No Calculator)4. Math (Calculator)5. Essay (optional) |
| Minutes Per Section | English: 45 Math: 60 Reading: 35 Science: 35 Writing (optional): 40 | Reading: 65 Writing and Language: 35 Math (No Calculator): 25 Math (Calculator): 55 Essay (optional): 50 |
| Number of Questions | English: 75 Math: 60 Reading: 40 Science: 40 Writing (optional): 1 essay | Reading: 52 Writing and Language: 44 Math (No Calculator): 20 Math (Calculator): 38 Essay (optional): 1 essay |
| Test Score Range | 1 – 36 Writing section:2 – 12 (No effect on final score) | 400 – 1600 Essay section:1 – 8 (No effect on final score) |