Requirements
Testing requirements vary from college to college. While some accept only the SAT, most institutions are pleased to accept scores from both the SAT or ACT. A growing number of colleges make the submission of standardized test results optional. It is important that you be aware of the testing requirements of each college on your list.
SAT II Subject Test requirements vary considerably as well, with some colleges requiring three SAT II tests and others only two SAT II’s. Many institutions welcome SAT II results but do not require them. Since a number of colleges add or drop SAT II requirements from year to year, it is important to research the requirements of each of the colleges to which you will apply. Not meeting testing requirements—especially when applying to highly selective colleges—may weaken your application in relation to other applicants or render it "incomplete."
If applying under an early decision or early action plan, it is especially important for you to be aware of testing requirements, especially regarding SAT II Subject Tests. The October, and sometimes November SAT testings are early enough for scores to be considered in the early plans of some, but not all, institutions.
Students who qualify for and plan to take extended time tests must contact [link to faculty profile doyle]Anita Doyle, EHS’s Learning Specialist, to make arrangements for special testings. Both the SAT and ACT programs have very specific and somewhat rigid qualification standards for extended-time testing qualification.
Registration deadlines are important! Students are required to register for all admission tests ahead of time, and the testing agencies are very strict about registration deadlines, which are well in advance of the testing dates. Testing centers—and especially the one located near EHS—fill up early, so register for the tests as early as possible. For SAT testings, you should request the T.C. Williams High School test center in Alexandria (test center #47115), and for the ACT, West Potomac High School (test center #192590), also in Alexandria. It is easiest to register for standardized tests on the web.
Please note: While SAT and ACT scores appear on the EHS transcript, students must personally arrange for the testing agencies to send scores to each college to which they are applying.
Many colleges require students to have all scores sent directly from the testing agency.
Standardized Tests
There are six types of tests commonly used by colleges and scholarship sponsors to evaluate a candidate’s ability and achievement.
PSAT/NMSQT
Taken in October of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years
The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is used primarily as a practice test to prepare students to take the SAT in the junior and senior years.
National Merit Scholarships and recognition are based on results of the PSAT given in the fall of the student’s junior year (also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test or NMSQT).
You do not get two chances at posting a National Merit score. Students who repeat a year, for example, and take the test officially a second time, will find their scores flagged (with an asterisk) to indicate their ineligibility for National Merit recognition.
At EHS, the PSAT is also taken for practice by freshmen and sophomores. Scored on a scale of 20-80 on the Critical Reading, math, and writing sections, the PSAT parallels the 200-800 scoring of the SAT. The SAT is scaled with mean scores of 500 on each section.
Similarly, 50 is the mean score on each section of the PSAT.
SAT I: Reasoning Test
Taken in junior winter and/or spring and fall of senior year
The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems—skills you learned in school that you'll need in college. Detailed information about the SAT may be found on the [link to www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATI.html]College Board website.
- The Critical Reading section measures a student’s reading comprehension ability and ability to analyze reading passages; to recognize relationships between parts of sentences and between pairs of words, and vocabulary skills.
- The Writing section measures a student’s ability to organize and express ideas clearly and to develop and support ideas in a short writing exercise. Multiple choice questions measure your ability improve sentences and paragraphs and identify writing errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness).
- The Mathematics section measures problem-solving abilities involving arithmetic, algebra, geometry, functions and data analysis.
SAT II: Subject Tests
Taken in junior spring and/or November or December of senior year
These one-hour tests are designed to measure a student’s level of achievement in a particular subject, such as English, foreign language, history, mathematics, or science.
Most, but not all, subject areas have a related SAT test. Up to three SAT II Subject Tests can be taken on one test date. Certain SAT II exams are offered only on specific dates, and students need to carefully plan their test schedule.
We recommend that students take SAT IIs in May of the junior year and/or in November or December of the senior year. Students must closely check SAT II requirements at each college. While many institutions do not require SAT Subject Tests, some colleges require two or three of the tests for admission, and others use them for placement. Failure to meet these requirements can place a student at a minor or even significant disadvantage in the admission process.
While most institutions do not specify which Subject Tests a student should take, other colleges have very specifically defined requirements.
American College Test (ACT)
(Taken in spring of junior year and/or fall of senior year)
This battery of tests consists of four sections covering English use, reading, mathematics, and natural sciences reasoning. Since most colleges also require the ACT’s optional writing section, EHS students should plan to take that portion of the test. The entire battery takes about three hours. Like the SAT, the ACT is given several times a year, including April, early June, October, and December.
Most colleges throughout the country accept both the ACT and the SAT. Thus, it is sometimes an advantage to send colleges scores from both tests. Many institutions will base an admission decision on a higher ACT or SAT score when students present both and when there is a disparity in scores between the two tests.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Colleges usually require students whose native language is not English to take the TOEFL.
Because the verbal portion of the SAT does not always provide an accurate measure of the non-native speaker’s fluency in English or verbal abilities, the TOEFL can provide colleges with a more accurate indication of a student’s command of English. Many colleges require international students to submit a TOEFL score, which is used in addition to SAT I verbal scores.
It is wise to register early for this test since this area’s test centers tend to fill up quickly.
Most colleges will publish the minimum TOEFL score that they require for admission.
Advanced Placement (AP) Tests
Technically speaking, Advanced Placement exams are not required college admission criteria, except that colleges take note of enrollment in AP classes, and students should be aware that good scores on AP exams earned during junior year can enhance their admission profile.
Exams are given in May and cover the equivalent of college-level material in a specific AP course. These exams require academic preparation more extensive than is found in a normal high school course. The exams are graded on a scale of 1 to 5. While placement and credit policies vary from college to college, scores of 4 and 5 – and sometimes 3 – can earn students advanced college credit and/or placement. Some Episcopal students have entered college with sufficient credit to be classified as sophomores.
Advanced Placement scores do not automatically appear on the EHS transcript. However, if AP results will strengthen a student’s admission posture, we will report AP scores to colleges on the transcript. Strong sophomore or junior AP scores may enhance your application.
Learning Differences and Extended Time Tests
The SAT and ACT tests are offered in different forms to accommodate students with learning differences or disabilities. Students who qualify for these tests may take them with extended time and in other special needs formats. Special tests may be necessary for some students, and they are sometimes taken in addition to standard-timed tests.
At many institutions, there are no special tracks or special programs for students with learning disabilities. Other colleges can offer extensive programs and accommodations. Sometimes a college will have a special committee that will review a student’s application in order to determine whether a student can do the work at that institution. They look for compensatory skills and evidence that such skills support the student’s ability to do college-level work in the academic areas that the college will require of them. Admission committees will consider a student’s academic record at Episcopal to be an important predictor of the student’s success in college.
Taking Non-Standard Tests
The Educational Testing Service of the College Board offers non-standard administration of the SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests and the Advanced Placement exams to qualified students.
Approval for accommodations from ETS is separate from, and not guaranteed by, approval for academic accommodations by Episcopal High School.
For additional information, visit the College Board website or contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 609-771-7137 or ssd@collegeboard.org.
The ACT has established policies regarding documentation of an applicant's disability and the process for requesting accommodations. For details, visit http:// www.act.org/aap/disab/policy.html.
No distinction is made on the score report for students who have taken the SAT or ACT exam with extended time. Scores appear exactly as scores from regular administrations.
In order to qualify for accommodations on College Board and ACT tests, students must have a complete psycho-educational evaluation. Please contact Anita Doyle, EHS’s learning specialist, for more information on required documentation.
Please note that the process for requesting extended time from the College Board is a separate process from requesting it for the ACT.