Resources for College Entrance Tests
Keep in mind:
- The SAT or ACT is required for nearly every college or university, and the scores themselves can help students figure out their next steps in education. That means virtually every student should take one of these tests.
- Good scores on the SAT or ACT can give students with relatively poor grades a second chance at college admission and scholarships.
- Students can start taking practice tests as early as 8th grade. The PLAN (10th grade) is meant to help students do better on the ACT, and the pre-SAT PSAT/NMSQT should be taken in 11th grade but can be taken earlier. Encourage practice tests!
- Statistics prove that preparation for tests can raise scores. Be ready to advise students about different preparation routes.
- There are many free preparation programs (including one online at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County).
- Fee waivers are available to families who find it hard to pay test fees. Be sure not to overlook anyone.
- Students with learning problems and other disabilities may need to be informed that they can take standardized tests in nonstandard ways.
Web resources
The SAT and ACT organizations maintain websites loaded with helpful material.
Entry points for everyone: www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org
Educator/Counselor section for the SAT: www.collegeboard.com/prof/counselors/tests/sat/resources/resources.html
Find Counselor's Connection, many articles, materials for handouts, and a PowerPoint presentation
Educator/Counselor section for the ACT: www.act.org/path/secondary
Includes many handouts under "News you can use" and an excellent dated counselor's planner
Preparation strategies, including practice test:
SAT: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html
Note that all information in the ACT and SAT printed preparation booklets is also posted at the websites.