Please read below to learn about various standardized testing requirements for college entry.
| PSAT/NMSQT |
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test is given to sophomores and juniors. Many schools offer this test to younger students as well. It measures critical reading, math and writing skills. When students take the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year, they enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporations competitions for recognition and scholarships. Learn more about the PSAT. |
| ACT |
This is usually taken in April or June of the junior year. Colleges usually take the highest test score. The test contains four 35-60 minute tests in academic areas of English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. There is an optional writing test. It reports the sub-scores for four areas, plus the writing, if taken, and a composite score. The ACT has traditionally been most heavily used in NM and the Midwest. The maximum score on the ACT is a 36. Learn more at these sites: ACT, Student ACT Info.
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| SAT |
This is a reasoning test consisting of two sections measuring critical reading and mathematical reasoning ability. SAT includes a mandatory writing portion to its exam. The SAT is taken in the junior year and may be taken again during the senior year. The score is based on the number of questions answered correctly minus points for incorrect responses. Scores on each section of the SAT range from 400-800 with a maximum score of 2400. Learn more about the SAT. |
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SAT Subject Test
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These achievement tests are one hour tests on a specific subject. The best time to take individual subject tests is at the end of your study in that subject. Up to three tests can be taken at a time. Call the specific colleges in order to obtain details. |
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Advanced Placement (AP)
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The AP Program makes college-level courses available to high school students. The AP tests are given once a year in May. At least a three or higher is usually needed to be awarded college credit. Check with specific colleges for more details because credit varies from institution to institution. Learn more about Advanced Placement. |
Useful sites for preparing for and/or registering to take standardized tests:
Some no-cost ways to prepare for your standardized test:
Go to www.freevocabulary.com for a list of 5,000 vocabulary words that may be on the SAT
Read, read, read (novels not comics)
Buy some flash cards and use them
Learn dictionary.com’s “word of the day”
Read the newspaper
Visit a news website and read the top stories
Do crossword puzzles
Write in a journal
Solve logic problems
Answer the SAT question of the day on-line
Take practice tests on-line, at school, etc.
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