SAT and ACT INFORMATION
**UPDATE as of March 19, 2020**
TEA has been working with the College Board, ACT Inc., the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the International Baccalaureate Organization to mitigate the impact on our Texas students participating in these programs. This letter contains initial updates on the SAT, ACT, and TSIA test administrations and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
SAT
The College Board has cancelled the March 28, 2020 and May 2, 2020 national test administrations. Registered students will receive a refund. The College Board has not yet cancelled the national SAT test administration scheduled for June 6, 2020. The College Board is assessing future testing opportunities as well as drafting guidance on school day administrations for the SAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9. The College Board will update their webpage regularly with information about the impact of the coronavirus.
To help students keep their college readiness skills sharp while many schools are closed, the College Board and Khan Academy continue to provide free resources online, including full-length practice tests and personalized learning tools at khanacademy.org/sat.
The College Board has cancelled the March 28, 2020 and May 2, 2020 national test administrations. Registered students will receive a refund. The College Board has not yet cancelled the national SAT test administration scheduled for June 6, 2020. The College Board is assessing future testing opportunities as well as drafting guidance on school day administrations for the SAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9. The College Board will update their webpage regularly with information about the impact of the coronavirus.
To help students keep their college readiness skills sharp while many schools are closed, the College Board and Khan Academy continue to provide free resources online, including full-length practice tests and personalized learning tools at khanacademy.org/sat.
ACT
ACT has rescheduled the April 4, 2020 national test administration to June 13, 2020. ACT will send an email to registered students with instructions on how to reschedule. ACT is assessing guidance on district/school day administrations and has created a webpage with real-time updates for this evolving situation.
ACT has rescheduled the April 4, 2020 national test administration to June 13, 2020. ACT will send an email to registered students with instructions on how to reschedule. ACT is assessing guidance on district/school day administrations and has created a webpage with real-time updates for this evolving situation.
**Information provided before Coronavirus**
Most colleges require the ACT or SAT for admissions, and some require subjects tests as well.
Please know your school's requirements before signing up for either test!
Please know your school's requirements before signing up for either test!
SAT Test -
Cost is approximately $64.50, with writing August 24, 2019 October 5, 2019 November 2, 2019 December 7, 2019 March 4, 2020 * March 14, 2020** May 2, 2020 June 6, 2020 *SHS Juniors ONLY - FREE **No SAT Subject Tests SAT Test Center Codes Memorial High School - 44-500 Spring Woods High School - 44-516 Register online at www.collegeboard.org |
ACT Test -
Cost is approximately $67.00, with writing July 13, 2019 September 14, 2019 October 26, 2019 December 14, 2019 February 8, 2020 April 4, 2020 June 13, 2020** July 18, 2020 **MHS is not a testing site on this date. ACT Test Center Codes Memorial High School - 185510 Spring Woods High School - 185420 Register online at www.actstudent.org |
WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE SAT OR ACT?
You can determine when it is best for you to take your SAT/ACT tests and how many to take but make that decision early, verify the college admission deadlines, check your extracurricular calendar for conflicts, and follow your timeline.
To help plan your timeline, consider the following information:
1. Take BOTH the SAT and ACT at least once early enough in your junior year to decide which you like best. Retake, if necessary, the test you prefer.
2. Compare the SAT/ACT calendar with your extracurricular calendar NOW to avoid or plan around conflicts.
3. Unless you have procrastinated and are up against a deadline, you don’t need to identify any colleges on your SAT or ACT as a junior, so you can see the scores first and decide which test scores to submit as a senior.
4. If you qualify for financial need, you may obtain a fee waiver to take the SAT and ACT free. See your counselor early in the year for details. NOTE: Those who qualify must use a test fee waiver to be eligible for exemptions from up to 4 college application fees when you are a senior.
NO SAT SUBJECT TESTS OFFERED IN MARCH!
SAT and ACT include some Algebra II in the Math section
If you are taking Algebra II as a junior:
If you are taking PreCalculus or Statistics as a junior:
Am I a candidate for SAT/ACT testing in June after my junior year?
Testing in fall of senior year:
Which colleges require SAT Subject tests?
To help plan your timeline, consider the following information:
1. Take BOTH the SAT and ACT at least once early enough in your junior year to decide which you like best. Retake, if necessary, the test you prefer.
2. Compare the SAT/ACT calendar with your extracurricular calendar NOW to avoid or plan around conflicts.
3. Unless you have procrastinated and are up against a deadline, you don’t need to identify any colleges on your SAT or ACT as a junior, so you can see the scores first and decide which test scores to submit as a senior.
4. If you qualify for financial need, you may obtain a fee waiver to take the SAT and ACT free. See your counselor early in the year for details. NOTE: Those who qualify must use a test fee waiver to be eligible for exemptions from up to 4 college application fees when you are a senior.
NO SAT SUBJECT TESTS OFFERED IN MARCH!
SAT and ACT include some Algebra II in the Math section
If you are taking Algebra II as a junior:
- First ACT in April
- First SAT in March or May
- If you are using the services of a test prep coach or class, your timeline may differ.
If you are taking PreCalculus or Statistics as a junior:
- First SAT in January (maybe December if English skills are strong)
- First ACT in February (maybe December) This allows time for return of results and decision of which test (or both) to retake.
- Second SAT in March
- Second ACT in April
- SAT Subject Tests in May or June (not offered in March)
- SAT and ACT are both offered in June.
Am I a candidate for SAT/ACT testing in June after my junior year?
- Check your camp, family vacation, work, and/or summer school schedules.
- Are you still mentally engaged or after the last day of school will you ‘check out’?
Testing in fall of senior year:
- If your college admission deadlines are in October, November, or December, you should have completed your testing in the spring of your junior year or you can use the fall tests for one more opportunity to raise scores.
- If your college admission deadlines are in January or later, you have time to take or retake tests in the fall.
Which colleges require SAT Subject tests?
- Check the college websites and admission requirements.
- Refer to the Private Common Application chart online: www.commonapp.org
- UT-Austin requires subject tests only for Honors Programs. Check the Honors application/website for details. Rice University requires 2 SAT Subject tests. UT-Austin requires the ALEKS test for some majors.
- You can take one, two, or three SAT Subject tests on one Saturday. Each test is one hour in length.
- Suggested SAT Subject tests: Math Level 1 (Alg 2) or Level 2 (PreCal), US History (& science, if applicable).
- NOTE: Some colleges will accept the ACT in lieu of the SAT & SAT Subject Tests – check the colleges’ testing requirements on their websites/applications. (example: Rice University)