College Entrance Exams
What are they? The SAT and ACT
Are there any pretests? The PLAN and the PSAT
When should students take them?
10th grade
Take the PSAT in October. The scores do not count for National Merit Scholar consideration
the sophomore year, but it is valuable practice for the junior year (when the scores will count)
Take the PLAN when it is offered in November or December. This is the pre ACT. It provides
a report that list students strengths and weaknesses.
11th grade
Take the PSAT when it is offered in October or November. This is the qualifying test for the
National Merit Scholarship Program.
Take the ACT or the SAT in the spring (review college entrance and testing requirements)
12th grade
Take the ACT and/or SAT if necessary (students may take these tests as many times as needed in order to obtain a satisfactory score)
Seniors planning on attending 4-year colleges and universities after graduation need to take the ACT or SAT by December of their senior year. Those seniors planning on attending junior or community colleges after graduation can take the ACT or SAT tests all year long, up until graduation.