TESTING

PLAN OF ACTION

• Decide your target score

• Set up a practice schedule

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

• Figure out 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

    • 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 SAT/ACT

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

• The PSAT will be administered digitally effective Fall 2023

• All high schools offer a School Day PSAT Test annually and 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.

• 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

• All high schools offer a School Day SAT Test annually and 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 an entrance exam that many colleges use to make admission decisions.  Each college has its own test requirements for minimum scores.  Please check individual college websites for more detailed information.

• COST

  • The SAT test costs $60 (as of 4/23/24).  To verify costs, please visit the College Board website. 

  • Late fee is $30

  • Fee waivers are available - please contact your dean/counselor for more information.

    • 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 or SAT Subject Tests for free and get other benefits when applying to college.

    • What fee waivers cover

      • 2 free SAT registrations

      • Unlimited score reports to send to colleges

      • Waived college application fees at participating colleges

• ABOUT THE TEST

  • 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

    • Math Section

      • 2 modules, 44 questions, 70 minutes

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

  • There is NO PENALTY for guessing.

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

  • No college requires applicants to take both the SAT and ACT.

• 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.  To find them, log into your account, click on Child Info under your child's picture and choose TEST - National Assessment.

• What has changed for the new, digital SAT?

  • The SAT will be taken on either a laptop or a tablet

  • Must download Bluebook™ 

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

    • Application to take the digital SAT

    • Runs even if your connection drops

    • 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 on the entire Math section. (You can also bring your own acceptable calculator.) ƒ 

      • Reference sheet: On 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.

  • Reading passages are shorter with only one question per passage

  • Will use multistage adaptive testing (MST)

    • 2 modules per section

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

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

• What do I bring to the SAT? 

  • 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) 

  • Eligible testing device with Bluebook™ already downloaded and charged to last at least 3 hours (will need to download app within 1-5 days prior to the exam)

  • Snack/drink

  • A Calculator (optional)
    May bring 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
    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 small drink
    Bring a small bottle of water or your preferred drink in case there isn’t a drinking fountain.

2023-2024 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 the senior year.  Many students take the ACT test twice (once as a junior and once as a senior). 

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

• About the test

  • 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 a 36 

• Cost

  • The ACT costs $68.00 (no writing) or $93.00 (with optional writing test) + $38.00 (if registered late). (as of 4/23/24)

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

• Preparation and practice

  • ACT Academy™ is a free online learning tool and test practice program designed to help you get the best score possible on the ACT test

  • The Official ACT Prep Guide 2023-2024

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

2023-2024 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.

    • 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 $59.00

  • 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 online practice tests available.

  • You must register for an account to access.

  • They also sell a CLT student guide for $45

• 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 who accept the CLT

  • 25 Florida public and private universities

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