**Remember to indicate Horseheads High School when registering for your test, so that scores are reported to us!
ACT
The ACT is a college admissions test offered on five different test dates in New York during the year. The ACT Assessment contains multiple-choice tests in four areas: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. The test scores in each area range from 1 to 36 and are averaged to compute a composite ACT score. The ACT offers an optional Writing Test which measures a student’s skill in planning and writing a short essay. According to ACT, the Writing Test complements the existing English Test, combining to show a student’s handle on written English and the ability to produce a sample of writing. As the Writing Test is optional, students are encouraged to check with schools and scholarship programs in which they are interested to find out if the Writing Test is required. In the absence of this information, we recommend that students do take the optional Writing Test.
These tests, offered in 17 subject areas, are recommended or required by some colleges and universities as additional college admissions tests. The student needs to check with each college they are considering to find out if these tests are recommended or required. The tests are each one hour long, and a student can take one, two, or three tests during one test date. *Some colleges may accept the ACT Assessment in lieu of the SAT Subject Tests.
SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Reasoning Test is a college admissions test offered on six different test dates in New York during the year. The test measures critical reading, mathematical, and writing skills, and is scored on a range of 200 to 800 for the critical reading, math, and writing sections, with an average of 500 for each. Students will also receive two writing scores; a score of 20-80 for the multiple choice questions and a score of 2-12 for the essay. The three subscores are added to compute the combined SAT score, so this score would range from 600-2400. The testing time for the SAT Reasoning Test is 3 hours and 45 minutes.
PLAN
The PLAN is an assessment administered on a Saturday morning in the fall of the sophomore year. It provides information and direction for educational and career planning. The interpretive report helps students consider their academic achievement and post high school goals as they evaluate their progress. PLAN also provides an estimate of how a student might score on their ACT Assessment (used for college admissions). The assessment includes tests of skills in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning, as well as an interest inventory, and a needs assessment.
SAT Subject Tests (formerly called “Achievement Tests”)
The best way for you to prepare for college admissions test is by taking challenging courses,
especially extra courses in math and science to strengthen your analytical and problem-solving skills,
and to read as much as possible to strengthen your verbal and reading comprehension skills. It also
helps if you complete practice tests for the test that you plan to take, so you will be familiar with the
test format, types of questions, and timing of the test.
We recommend that students take either an SAT Reasoning test or an ACT test in the spring of their
junior year, and if they choose to take another test, they should test again at the first test
administration offered in the fall of their senior year.
If you have a documented physical/learning disability and are applying for testing accommodations
for college admissions testing, please see your School Counselor for instructions. Please note that you
may not be approved for all accommodations you receive at the high school. Applications to request
accommodations are due well before the registration deadline.
SAT & ACT Information & Preparation:
Register for tests on-line and get help preparing to take college entrance exams.
THE COLLEGE BOARD
www.collegeboard.orgACT’S WEB SITE
www.act.orgSAT TEST PREPARATION www.number2.com
www.prepsage.com
THE PRINCETON REVIEW
www.review.comRecommended Testing Schedule
Sophomore Year:
PLAN--FallJunior Year
ACT in April or June
: PSAT--Octoberand/orSAT Reasoning Test in May or June
SAT Subject Tests in January or June, if appropriate
Senior Year:
SAT Subject Test in October, November, or December, if appropriate
ACT or SAT Reasoning Test in October, November, or DecemberHorseheads High School
CEEB Code
332-465
19
TESTING SCHEDULE
Fall 2009/Spring 2010
SAT Dates
www.collegeboard.com
The registration dates for the 2009-10 SAT test dates will not be finalized by College Board until
after the June 2009 test date. The registration dates listed below are proposed deadlines only.
Please check the College board web site for the final dates, which should be available by the end
of June.
Test Date Test Registration Date Late Registration Date
Oct. 10, 2009 SAT/SAT Subject September 9, 2009 September 23, 2009
Nov. 7, 2009 SAT/SAT Subject October 1, 2009 October 15, 2009
Dec. 5, 2009 SAT/SAT Subject October 30, 2009 November 12, 2009
Jan. 23, 2010 SAT/SAT Subject December 15, 2009 December 30, 2009
Mar. 13, 2010 SAT Only February 4, 2010 February 18, 2010
May 1, 2010 SAT/SAT Subject March 25, 2010 April 8, 2010
June 5, 2010 SAT/SAT Subject April 29, 2010 May 13, 2010
ACT DATES
www.act.org
Test Date Registration Date Late Registration Date
Sept. 12, 2009 August 7, 2009 August 8-21, 2009
Oct. 24, 2009 Sept. 18, 2009 Sept. 19-Oct. 2, 2009
Dec. 12, 2009 Nov. 6, 2009 Nov. 7-20, 2009
April 10, 2010 March 5, 2010 March 6-19, 2010
June 12, 2010 May 7, 2010 May 8-21, 2010
PSAT: PLAN:
Saturday, October 17, 2009 Saturday, November 14, 2009
Preparation
PSAT
Given on a Saturday morning in October of the junior year, this test serves two purposes: it is a practice test and a diagnostic tool to predict student performance on the SAT, and it serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. From the student’s performance on the PSAT, their counselor will recommend they take either an SAT-I or ACT College admissions test.