The ACT or, the American College Test, is also accepted by most colleges, though it differs slightly from the SAT. Visit this link to understand the differences between the two tests.
- Because of those differences, it may pay to take both the SAT and the ACT. You might do better on one type of test versus the other, so taking both is not a bad idea.
- Again, you may qualify for a fee waiver, so ask your counselor this year about fee waivers. You won’t want to miss deadlines!
- Under admissions information sections on college websites, colleges will generally post the range of SAT scores of their accepted applicants, so check out what the range is for a few schools to give you an idea of what admissions officers are looking for.
- If your eventual score doesn’t fall in that range, this doesn’t mean that you can’t go to a particular college! The range is used as a ballpark for admissions officers to quickly weed people out.
- If candidates score well below the average, admissions officers may not consider him/her, but if other aspects of the candidate’s application are very strong, s/he may still be examined more closely to determine if s/he will actually be a good fit for the college.
One test you need to take this year, AS A SOPHOMORE, is the PSAT/NMSQT. It is administered in October, so get on it!
- Kaplan offers an overview of the test.
- This one, single test has two names and, thus, two purposes. It’s not called the PSAT/NMSQT for nothing!
- The PSAT half of the name refers to the fact that this test provides an excellent opportunity to practice for the SAT. Although this test is not an actual SAT, the “P” in PSAT stands for preliminary SAT, so it’s good practice for the real deal.
- The NMSQT half of the name stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test meaning that if you score highly enough on this test when you re-take it again as a junior, it will also qualify you for National Merit standing, an honor/distinction granted to those high-scoring students (juniors) across the country
- Note: Unfortunately, even if sophomores take the test and score highly enough to qualify for national merit standing, they are not granted this standing. They must still retake the PSAT/NMSQT as a junior to qualify.
- These are what types of questions are on the test (for example problems, follow this link, as well, and simply look at the toolbar on the left and click on the appropriate section of the test you’d like to become more familiar with): http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html
- Find out if and when your high school is giving the PSAT/NMSQT test by checking this link.
- If your high school does not offer the test, don’t worry, you can still register to take the test at another school. Ask your high school counselor how to do this.
- There are fee waivers available! If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, or if you think you may qualify for a fee waiver, ask your high school counselor well in advance. (The test fee is $12, though your school may add an additional fee, so make sure to ask ahead of time).
Keep thinking about college, but in a more serious way. Here are some things you should be doing right now to help smooth the way for your junior year:
- The SAT is a huge test (3 hours and 45 minutes) that all colleges require for admissions. To do well on the test and compete with other college-bound students, you will need lots of preparation and test-taking skills. The best way to study for the SAT is by practicing! See the Free SAT/ACT Test Prep page for links to free study materials.
- There are many SAT books that you can find to help you with this test. Here are some suggestions about where to find them:
- Your college counselor should have copies of books like this in his/her office, so ask him/her before you start looking elsewhere! If s/he doesn’t have these materials, ask him/her if s/he can use school funds to buy useful SAT prep books. If your school has a college and career center, you might also look there.
- Check availability at your local library so that you don’t have to buy the books yourself (though the answer keys may already be used or there may be many markings in the books, so check this before you bother checking them out of the library).
- If you do want to buy books yourself (though this is not necessary), try using a site like www.amazon.com where you can buy used books to save money! (just make sure they’re in good condition first before you make a purchase).
- Two good book recommendations are 10 Real SATs, Third Edition (which contains 10 real SAT practice tests) and The Official SAT Study Guide (by Collegeboard) is also a good resource to utilize, though not entirely necessary. It provides good information and tips about taking the SAT.
- Tip: Make a copy of the blank answer keys and use these copies when you take the practice tests. If you write your answers directly in the book’s answer key section, you won’t be able to retake the test again for additional practice because you’ll see your old answers and your practice test will not be effective!
- Start exploring your financial aid options now so you know what you can realistically afford and expect from colleges. See our Financial Aid page for a list of some links and other useful ideas.
- Here are some College Board tips on paying for college.
- Don’t despair about money. College is possible. You can always go to college; it’s just a matter of where! There are many loans, scholarships, grants and lots of government money for which you can apply.
- Utilize your college counselor! Make sure to schedule appointments this year with him/her to discuss paying for college. S/he has lots of experience and can talk to you about your financial aid options as well as direct you towards websites or printed material that will be useful to you.
- See if your school offers any workshops/seminars/conferences about college and financial aid. Sign up for these events! Check the college or career office at your high school to see what different types of free events your school may offer.
- Many test preparatory companies (like The Princeton Review and Kaplan) also offer free events such as financial aid sessions for both students and parents. One free SAT diagnostic test at a testing center and even free SAT strategy sessions are also offered by both test prep companies. You need to register online (create a username and password) with The Princeton Review and Kaplan to access their sites, but all the information that you will find there is free of charge (except the actual prep courses that the company is selling). Check out the Free SAT/ACT Test Prep page for more information and links to these sites.
- Download or get your hands on at least 3 different college applications right now.
- Make sure one of these applications is the common application: http://www.commonapp.org/. The common application is useful because 277 universities accept this ONE application! So familiarize yourself with it and check if the colleges you are thinking about attending accept this application.
- Note that if you submit the common application, many colleges require supplemental (or extra) material like additional essays, but this is a much easier way to fill out applications than re-filling out application after application.
- Read the essay prompts and start working on them (just for practice). Pick a prompt you like, write a draft in response to the prompt, and have your English teacher read over and correct it with you. If your school has a writing center, look for help there, too!
- Continue to visit colleges! This year, try visiting at least 5 or 6 colleges, but expand your general college search radius to include schools both out of state and in state. Research some of these out of state schools! Here are some examples of America’s top colleges, just to get you thinking:
- Colleges care about what you do in your free time! Make sure to find a summer program, an interesting summer job, or become involved with something that you are passionate about. Make sure it is in keeping with your interests, though. Don’t just do something to do it. Your chosen summer activity must be something that will be meaningful to you or you shouldn’t bother; the activity must reflect your interests and allow you to shine.
- Remember to consult this College Board page for additional information about finding meaningful summer jobs/activities.
