TESTING

PLAN OF ACTION

• Decide which test or tests you would like to take

• Decide your target score

• Set up a practice schedule

• Give yourself roughly 6-8 weeks of practice before taking/retaking

• Figure out the best method of studying

  • • Khan Academy (FREE)

    • Printing out practice tests (see below for available tests) (FREE)

    • Attending Path to College live, online SAT test prep (see below for how to register) (FREE)

    • Purchasing test prep books ($20-$90 each)

    • Taking a test prep course

      1. • Online ($100-$1400 per course)

         • In person ($800-$1800 per course)

    • Getting an SAT tutor ($40-$200 per hour)

    • A combination of any of the above

• Register and take the SAT, ACT, or the CLT

SUPERSCORE?

Superscoring is the practice of combining a student’s highest section scores from multiple test dates to create a superscore.

• Retake unlimited times to improve your score - remember both the SAT and ACT superscore!

PSAT

• High schools offer a School Day PSAT Test annually which is usually administered in October with results available mid-December via the College Board website.

• Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) is administered to all 9th & 10th-grade students at no cost/FREE.  It is open to all 11th-grade students.

  • • What is the PSAT10?

      • • The PSAT10 is a practice test designed to expose sophomores to the structure, pace, and content of the SAT. 

        • Students can use their PSAT 10 scores to get free personalized practice for the SAT. PSAT 10 scores give students and their teachers information on what AP courses they will likely do well in. Their scores also give students information on what areas they're strong in and what they need to work on.

        • PSAT scores are not shared with prospective colleges nor used by colleges as admission criteria.

• PSAT scores in 11th grade determine eligibility for consideration in the National Merit Scholarship Program. ($2500 scholarships are awarded by the state to the winners of the program). 

  • • What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

      • • A practice test designed to expose juniors to the structure, pace, and content of the SAT. 

        • It is also used by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in the selection of top scholars. 

        • The minimum score to receive national recognition varies from year to year. 

        • PSAT scores are not shared with prospective colleges nor used by colleges as admission criteria.

        • Note: The PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 will not be considered for entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT/NMSQT is the official route of entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program.

    • National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists are announced in September the following year

    • National Merit Scholar Finalists are announced in March.

• Starting in fall 2019, if you take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and you're African American, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, attend school in a rural area, or are from a small town, you may be invited to apply for academic recognition as part of the College Board National Recognition Programs.

  • • NEW in 2024: College Board has added a new category for first-generation students.

• How to practice for the digital SAT?

  • • Although there are current "paper" practice tests available below, it is recommended that you use the digital SAT practice found further down on this page.

SAT

• High schools offer a School Day SAT Test annually which is usually administered in March/April with results available about a month later via the College Board website.
  Mandatory and FREE for Juniors. Students do NOT have to register for this test.

• The SAT is a standardized test that many colleges use as part of their admissions process. Each institution sets its own requirements for minimum scores, so it’s important to research the specific expectations of the colleges you're interested in. Be sure to visit each school's admissions page to review their SAT policies and guidelines.

• FEES
  To verify costs, please visit the College Board website. 

  • • REGISTRATION: $68 (as of 5/23/24).  

    • LATE REGISTRATION: $34

    • CANCELLATION FEE: $29 (for canceling registration by the change deadline)

    • LATE CANCELLATION FEE: $39 (for canceling after the change deadline)

    • FEE WAIVERS:
      SAT fee waivers are available to low-income students in the US or US territories. If you're eligible for a fee waiver, you can take the SAT for free, and receive other benefits when applying to college.

      • How to apply:

        1. • Contact your dean/counselor for more information.

           • Request fee waiver directly from College Board

      • What fee waivers cover

        1. • 2 free SAT registrations (no late registration fees or cancellation fees)

           • Unlimited score reports to send to colleges

           • Waived college application fees at participating colleges

           • Free CSS Profile applications

• ABOUT THE DIGITAL SAT

  • • The test consists of a total of ~100 questions.  The time to take the test is 2 hours and 14 minutes versus 3 hours.

      • • Reading/Writing Section

          • • 2 modules, 54 questions, 64 minutes (1 minute 11 seconds per question)

            • Reading passages have only one question per passage

        • Math Section

          • • 2 modules, 44 questions, 70 minutes (1 minute 35 seconds per question)

            • 75% multiple choice & 25% student-produced response

    • Multistage adaptive testing (MST)

      • • 1st module contains a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions.

        • 2nd module questions are based on how you perform on the 1st module. Questions will either be more difficult or less difficult.

    • There is NO PENALTY for guessing.

    • The highest SAT score is a 1600 (Average SAT score in 2022 was 1050)

    • The SAT may be taken on either a laptop or a tablet - test continues to run even if your connection drops

    • Must download Bluebook™ on your testing device and complete exam setup

      • • You may take a full-length practice digital SAT two weeks before test day! (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

    • Tools

      • • Mark for review: You can flag and return to any question within a given test module that you want to come back to later. ƒ 

        • Testing timer: A clock counts down the time remaining in each module. You can hide the timer, and you get an alert when 5 minutes remain in the module. When there are only 5 minutes remaining, the clock can no longer be hidden. ƒ 

        • Calculator: A built-in graphing calculator (Desmos) is available for the entire Math section. (You can also bring your own acceptable calculator.) ƒ 

        • Reference sheet: In the Math section, you have access to a list of common formulas. ƒ

        • Annotation: You can highlight any part of a question and leave yourself a note. This tool is only available in Reading and Writing. ƒ 

        • Option eliminator: If you think an answer option is wrong, you can cross it out.

• SCORES

  • • Scores will be reported on the College Board account.  Log into your account to view your scores.

    • Scores are updated to the SIS system (Palm Beach County Schools). To find them, log into your account, click on Child Info under your child's picture, and choose TEST - National Assessment.

• What do I bring to the SAT? 

  • • Eligible Testing Device with Bluebook™ installed, exam setup completed, and charged to last at least 3 hours (will need to download the app within 1-5 days before the exam)

    • Your Admissions Ticket
      If you lost it, don’t worry; you can log in to your College Board account and print another one before the test
      NEW - You may present your admission ticket on your mobile device instead of printing

    • A Photo ID
      Preferably a driver’s license, learner’s permit, passport, or student ID

    • Pen or pencil for scratch work (doesn't have to be a #2 pencil) 

    • Your College Board username & password

    • A Calculator (optional)
      May bring an acceptable calculator (but Bluebook has an embedded calculator)

    • A Jacket
      No matter what time of year you’re taking the test, it’s a good idea to dress in layers. The testing room could be cold or hot, and you want to make sure you’ll be comfortable.

    • A Snack and/or Drink
      You’ll get two breaks during the test, so it’s a good idea to bring a healthy snack to keep your energy going.

    • A charging cable or portable charger

2024-2025 SAT Dates & Deadlines

Click on image below to download and print

ACT

• ACT Test Dates occur six times a school year (in most states).  The tests are administered on Saturdays.  The regular registration deadline is approximately one month before the test date.

• Most high school students choose to take the ACT Test during the spring of their junior year and/or the fall of their senior year.  Many students take the ACT twice (once as a junior and once as a senior). 

• You may register for the ACT at ACT.org. 

• About the test

  • NEW UPDATES EFFECTIVE APRIL 2025

    • Reduced # of questions - 171 questions if taking the Science section, 131 if not taking the Science section

    • Reduced the number of answer choices in math questions from five to four.

    • Reduced exam time: 2 hours 45 minutes if taking the Science section, 2 hours 5 minutes if not taking the Science section

    • The test sections are as follows

      • • English: 35-minute section with 50 questions (around 42 seconds per item) 

        • Math: 50-minute section with 45 items (around one minute and seven seconds per item) 

        • Reading: 40-minute section with 36 items (around one minute and seven seconds per item)

        • Science (Optional): 40-minute section with 40 items

    • Students can now choose to take the ACT National test with or without the science section. State and district customers will choose whether to include the science section with the ACT test for their students.

  • The test consists of a total of 215 questions and an optional essay.  The four parts include English, Mathematics, Reading & Science Reasoning.  The time to take the test is 3 hours 35 minutes (which includes 40 minutes for the essay).

  • There is NO PENALTY for guessing.

  • The highest ACT score is 36 

• Cost for ACT (as of 2/5/25)

  • • $65.00 for the exam

    • $25.00 add writing section

    • $4.00 add science section

    • $38.00 late charge

    • $69.00 standby testing

    • $44.00 Change Fee

      • Fee waivers are available - please contact your dean or counselor

• Preparation and practice

  • The Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026

  • The Official ACT Prep Guide 2024-2025

  • Free ACT practice test and study guide is available on the ACT website

  • Free ACT practice tests are available at TestGuide.com 

  • Free Kaplan ACT Test

• Scores

  • Most scores are available through your ACT account within two weeks after testing (or five weeks for the writing test) but can take up to eight weeks from the testing date.

  • Where can I access scores at a later time? 

    • • Palm Beach County Public School Students:
        Scores are updated to the SIS system.  To find them, log into your account, click on Child Info under your child's picture (if you are the parent) or My Info (if you are the student), and choose TEST - National Assessment.

2024-2025 ACT Dates & Deadlines

Click on image below to download and print

CLT (CLASSIC LEARNING TEST)

• About the test

  • • An alternative admission test that can be used for both college admissions (limited colleges) and to qualify for the Bright Futures Scholarship.

      1. • Effective July 1, 2023, students graduating in the 2023-24 academic year and thereafter may use CLT scores to satisfy the minimum test score requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholarship (FAS) or the Florida Bright Futures Florida Medallion Scholarship (FMS).

         • In September 2023, Florida’s Board of Governors voted to approve the CLT as an accepted admissions test at all state public universities.

• How/Where is the test administered? From home.

  • • The Remotely Proctored CLT is a version of the CLT that students take at home with their own computers. The exam is recorded and reviewed by CLT staff. 

• Cost

  • • The CLT costs $69.00 (as of 11/13/24)

    • Financial assistance up to the full cost of a test for qualifying students. Please fill out the Financial Assistance Request Form to qualify.

• Register

  • • You must create an account before you register.

• Preparation and practice

  • • There are 3 FREE online practice tests available on their website

    • You must register for an account to access the practice tests.

    • They also sell a CLT student guide for $45.95 on their website

    • You may purchase the CLT Exam Study Guide 2024-2025 on Amazon for $28.99 or the Mometrix CLT Secrets Study Guide on Amazon for $47.99

• Scores

  • • After you take a CLT exam, log into your account to see test results, send scores directly to colleges, and use our Student Analytics to see opportunities for improvement.

• Colleges that accept the CLT

  • • 42 Florida public and private universities & colleges (including all SUS Universities and Public 2-year colleges)

    • About 250 colleges currently accept this test as an alternative to the ACT/SAT