What You Need to Know About College Entrance Exams
Find a K12-powered school near me.
No online schools available for zip code entered
No online schools available for zip code entered
College entrance exams might seem like just one more thing your student needs to do during some of the busiest years of their high school career. But these exams are an essential part of your student's college application, so it's crucial to make sure you have all the information to help them prepare for and succeed on their college entrance exams.
What are college entrance exams?
Sort by category
The SAT
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized aptitude test administered through the CollegeBoard that's designed to measure a student's readiness and eligibility for college. It compromises of three sections: reading, math, and writing and language.
The SAT also includes an optional essay section that may be available depending on when and where your test is administered. It's best to check with your school or testing location to learn if the essay will be part of your exam.
The SAT is scored out of 1600. The average SAT score in 2019 was 1050, and a score of 1350 usually puts a student in the top 10%.
The ACT
The ACT (American College Test) is another entrance exam that serves the same general purpose as the SAT: it helps measure how well a student is likely to perform in college.
The ACT consists of multiple choice questions on four core subjects: mathematics, English, science, and reading. This test also has an optional essay section. This exam is scored out of 36. The average ACT score is 21, and a score of 28 or higher usually puts a student in the top 10%.
ACT and SAT Requirements for College
There have been a lot of changes in college standardized testing requirements over the past few years, so are SATs required for college? Or do colleges look at SAT scores anymore? Do you need to take the ACT?
While almost all colleges will still accept college entrance exam scores, more and more are making it optional rather than required. This, however, varies from school to school, and it's important to check a specific college's requirements.
Do colleges prefer ACT or SAT?
Some colleges still accept college entrance exam scores, and many students are still taking these standardized tests. It's natural to wonder if schools prefer one over the other.
For the most part, colleges do not have a preference. The ACT and The College Board even completed a concordance study to help both students and admissions professionals help predict how a student would perform on the other test based on their scores.
The preferred test often comes down to a student. The best way to pick is for your student to do prep work and practice tests for each and see which exam they feel better about. Some students take both exams and some stick with one.
The PSAT
Does the PSAT matter?
If you're wondering whether you should sign up to take the PSAT, you might be asking yourself this question. While the PSAT doesn't necessarily affect college applications since the scores aren't submitted to colleges, it does matter for a few other reasons.
First, it provides valuable testing experience for high school students. Second, a student's PSAT score can help them qualify for multiple scholarships.
What is a good PSAT score?
The PSAT is scored out of 1520. The average score hovers around 920, while a score between 1210 and 1520 puts a student in the top 10% of test takers. Scores in the top 10% make students eligible for the National Recognition Programs from The College Board as well as scholarships.
Many scholarship providers use the PSAT to find eligible high school students to award scholarships to. For example, the PSAT is the only qualifying test for the National Merit® Scholarship Program. This is a competition, so the PSAT score for National Merit® awards may vary.
Prepare for the Future with K12
Each year, K12-powered schools send students to hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide, to join the military, or to head directly into the workforce.
We're here to help you every step of the way, whatever your goals and chosen path, as you build your journey toward achieving your dreams.
