Testing is an important part of preparing for the college application process. Many competitive colleges and universities expect that students provide test scores beyond the SAT or ACT. Beginning in 10th grade, students should be aware of the testing possibilities.
10th grade:
October: PSAT: This doesn’t count for National Merit, but it does provide student with a first glance at the test, so the “official” PSAT is a bit friendlier. Students will receive their score packets in December and gain access to MyCollegeQuickstart.
Currently, we provide this testing opportunity during the school day to ALL 10th and 11th graders.
May: AP exams: If the student is taking any Advanced Placement courses (likely courses: Calculus AB, World History, Biology, Art History, Psychology, Computer Science, Statistics), AP exams are taken near the end of the course during the school day. College Board sets up an administration schedule the 1st 2 full weeks of May. Students register through the Counseling Center in March. Exams require a fee.
May/June: SAT II Subject Tests: Subject tests are required by some selective and most highly selective colleges. They are one (1) hour tests and their content closely mirrors AP course content. If student is taking AP World History, HAM, or AP Biology s/he will be prepped for the SAT II Subject test(s) in World History, Math Level II or Biology. Student registers for the tests through collegeboard.org
11th grade:
October PSAT: This is the “official” PSAT from which the National Merit Commended Scholars and Semifinalists are selected. Currently, we provide this testing opportunity during the school day to ALL 10th and 11th graders. Students will receive their score packets in December.
March SAT: We recommend this sitting for students to take the SAT. Student registers for the tests through collegeboard.org
UHS is a testing site for the March SAT exam (SAT IIs are not offered in March).
February/April/June: ACT: For students wishing to take the ACT, you can get testing dates/information and register at actstudent.org UHS is usually a testing site for one of these tests.
May: AP exams: If the student is taking any Advanced Placement courses (likely courses: English Language & Composition, Calculus AB/BC, Statistics, US History, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science, Art History, Computer Science, Music Theory, Psychology, Spanish), AP exams are taken near the end of the course during the school day. College Board sets up an administration schedule the 1st 2 full weeks of May. Students register through the Counseling Center in March. Exams require a fee.
May: SAT/SAT II Subject Tests: SAT testing date. Subject tests are required by some selective and most highly selective colleges. They are one (1) hour tests and their content closely mirrors AP course content. If student is taking AP US History, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP English, AP Spanish or HAM, s/he will be prepped for the SAT II Subject test(s) in US History, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Spanish, and Math Level II. Students may sit for the SAT or up to three (3) SAT II Subject tests. Student registers for the tests through collegeboard.org
June: SAT/SAT II Subject test: This date provides students a chance to test for the SAT again or to sit for additional SAT II Subject tests. Student registers for the tests through collegeboard.org
12th grade:
October, November, December: SAT/SAT II Subject Tests: Additional testing dates for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. Register at collegeboard.org
September, October, December: ACT: Additional testing dates for the ACT. Register at actstudent.org
May: AP exams: If the student is taking any Advanced Placement courses
(likely courses: English Literature, Calculus AB/BC, Statistics, Economics, Comparative Gov, US Gov, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science, Art History, Computer Science, Music Theory, Spanish, French, German, Psychology), AP exams are taken near the end of the course during the school day. College Board sets up an administration schedule the 1st 2 full weeks of May.
Students register through the Counseling Center in March. Exams require a fee.
