Testing Information

• PSAT/NMSQT - Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (College Board).

Given in October at RPS to all sophomores and juniors. Similar to SAT I. Useful as an indicator of SAT I scores and/or test practice. The basis of some merit scholarships. Source of some college mailings.

• SAT I - Scholastic Assessment Test: Reasoning Tests (College Board)

The critical reading section, formerly known as the verbal section, includes short reading passages along with the existing long reading passages. Analogies have been eliminated, but sentence-completion questions and passage-based reading questions remain. Critical reading and sentence-level reading, reading comprehension, sentence completions, and paragraph-length critical reading are all apart of this section. The section is 70 minutes (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section).

The math section includes number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis, as well as expanded math topics, such as exponential growth, absolute value, and functional notation. This section is 70 minutes (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section).

The writing section includes both multiple-choice questions and a direct writing measure in the form of an essay. This section is 60 minutes including multiple choice questions (35 min.) and student-written essay (25 min.).

The test is usually offered on seven dates throughout the year. The SAT I may be taken with extended time by students with identified learning disabilities. See the College Counseling Office for details.

• SAT II - Scholastic Assessment Test: Subject Tests (College Board)

Formerly the Achievement Tests. One-hour tests measuring knowledge or skills in a particular subject and ability to apply that knowledge. Up to three tests may be taken on one test date. Many selective colleges require up to three tests, and some will require specific tests for everyone, such as Math IC or IIC or may require other subject exams for the students applying for certain majors. Students may not take SAT II Tests on the same day they take an SAT I.

• PLAN - PLAN is a mid-point assessment that identifies areas of academic need and serves as a powerful predicter of performance on the ACT.

• ACT - American College Testing Assessment (ACT)

Includes tests in four areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Four sub-scores plus a composite average score are reported. Many schools accept ACT in lieu of the SAT
I. For many colleges in the south and Midwest, it is the test used by the majority of their applicants. Nearly all colleges which generally use the ACT will also accept the SAT I. However, if you are applying to a large public university or a service academy, which use cutoffs for eligibility, it is in your interest to take the ACT, in case your score is higher. Unlike the SAT I, there is no penalty for guessing on the ACT, so you should be sure to answer each question.

• AP - Advanced Placement Tests (College Board)
Typically AP's are three-hour examinations based on full-year college level course in high school. They are given once a year in May and used both for college credit and for placement. Some colleges accept a "3"; many others require a "4", and most vary by department.

Note: The TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language should be taken (1) if your first language is not English, and (2) if you have not been in the United States more than a few years. See the College Counseling Office for advice on whether or not you should take it. The TOEFL is meant to assess whether or not your English is sufficient for survival with college-level texts, rather than evaluating the fine points covered by the verbal SAT I and Writing SAT II.