The Scholastic Aptitude Test is given 7 times a year, beginning this school year on October 12, 2002. You can register to take the test either online or with a registration packet, available at the CORE Resource Centers. For online registration, visit www.collegeboard.com. The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is given on two dates in the fall of every school year. This year, the dates are October 15th and October 19th. Students are instructed to ask their school's counselor for registration information.

Standardized tests are only one indicator of how well you might perform in college. Of course we like to see high scores if possible, but your day-to-day performance in classes (i.e., GPA) is more important to us. The combination of a mediocre GPA and low test scores will be a concern, however.

Our Student Records Department has PSAT, SAT and ACT test scores on the transcripts for some students, but only if the student provided us with his/her correct social security number and put the correct social security number on the test at the time the test was taken. Test scores are posted from a data file purchased from the testing company, so we can't be certain that all information is provided. We are under no requirement to maintain these scores, but do so as a convenience to the students.

The PSAT (Pre-Scholastic Assessment Test) is normally taken by high school students and serves as a practice test for the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). The SAT is taken by juniors and seniors as a precursor to college/university admission. It is also an assessment of a student's verbal and mathematical skills.

Three SAT II Subject Tests are highly recommended. It is recommended that you take one Math (of your choice), one Science (of your choice), and then a third of your choice.

A raw PSAT score is calculated the same way as a raw SAT score. For each section (verbal, math, or writing skills), you get one point for a correct answer, but you lose 1/4 of a point for an incorrect regular multiple-choice answer. In the math section, you lose 1/3 of a point for each incorrect quantitative comparison answer. There is no penalty for incorrectly answering a grid-in. There is also no penalty for skipped questions.

Unlike the SAT, the PSAT scores are not sent to colleges and are not used for the college admissions process. Instead, the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Award. The PSAT contains questions that are designed to be slightly easier than those on the SAT and is approximately half as long as the SAT. However, since the SAT and the PSAT measure similar skills and have similar structures, preparing for and taking the PSAT can be excellent practice for taking the SAT.

The PSAT/NMSQT was designed to provide students with practice for taking the SAT, while also offering opportunities to qualify for scholarship and recognition programs. Like the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT measures math, reading, and writing skills. While the PSAT/NMSQT contains actual SAT questions, it is not designed to be as difficult. The PSAT/NMSQT is also shorter than the SAT, coming in at two hours and ten minutes. The SAT itself takes three hours and forty-five minutes.

Be sure to take all of your tests at least once while you're a Junior. That means take the SAT and the Subject Tests (if you are applying to a UC or selective colleges) before the summer between junior and senior year. If you find a big gap in skills or knowledge, this will give you time to fix the problem. Remember: the SAT is a skill oriented test. One does not learn to write an essay, patch up algebra skills, or become a better reader over a weekend.

The PLAN, a practice ACT, is given in October during the Sophomore year and the PSAT in October of the Junior here at LHN. SAT and ACT tests should be taken during your child's Junior year. Parents should register for the fall, winter or spring dates. Your child can take the ACT and SAT more than once. Mrs. Christian, our college guidance director, will answer any questions.

Without any additional preparation, PSAT scores are a good indication of how the student will perform on the SAT. Students normally take this in October of Grade 11.

We do not have a preference. You should take the tests for which you're best prepared and best suited. If you have taken more than one test in a category, we will use the test which makes you look best. You have two options.

Each version of the SAT is developed using the same testing specifications. Even in the event that a particular test was slightly harder, a statistical process called "equating" is used to ensure that an SAT score on one date taken at one place is the same as a score for a test taken on another date or in another place.

The SAT is designed to measure the critical thinking skills necessary to do well in college. It determines how well you analyze and solve problems. This is why SAT scores are used in college admissions - they determine the likelihood of your success in college. The Subject Tests focus on specific subjects, are primarily multiple-choice, and only take an hour to complete. Subject Tests are used to determine knowledge and skills in a particular area.

Usually, students take the SAT in the spring of their junior in high school and, if they choose, again in the fall of their senior year. Students that choose to take the Subject Tests often take them at the end of their junior year or at the beginning of their senior year. Since Subject Tests are directly related to specific subjects, it is a good idea to take a Subject Test as soon after completing its related high school course as possible.

It is the exam usually taken in the sophomore or junior year as a warm-up for the College Board SATI. The SAT is the exam accepted by colleges and universities as part of their admission requirements. The SATII subject exams test specific areas such as English, Math or a foreign language. You can choose which subject tests to take. The UC system requires the SATII exam. It is one of the exams colleges and universities accept as part of their admission requirements.

Selective colleges often want more test information than the SAT alone provides, so they require students to take Subject Tests. At some schools these are required and at others they are only recommended (although some of the recommendations are quite STRONG). Compass has a list of schools that currently use the Subject Tests and is compiling a more detailed description of testing requirements for popular schools.

SAT scores are used by the college admissions board to determine the general academic level of the student. The SAT II tests are designed to measure academic level within a specific subject and a student's ability to apply that knowledge. The SAT II tests are one-hour tests, primarily consisting of multiple-choice questions.

The ACT/SAT measures are more knowledge-based and measure only academic aptitudes. These are intended to predict success in a particular college curriculum. Career Vision’s Ball Aptitude Battery® not only includes the general academic aptitudes, but more importantly includes aptitudes that give a more complete understanding of a person’s abilities: different types of creativity, spatial abilities, memory abilities, finger dexterity, reasoning styles and attention to details.