COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING (SATs & ACTs)

Questions that are commonly asked are:
Which college admissions test should my student take? and
Which test preparation company is the best?

There are two admissions tests which colleges will accept, the SAT and the ACT. These two tests are different and occasionally a student will score better on one than the other. Then that student would send his/her best test score (whether it is an SAT or an ACT) to the college. I suggest that students take both tests to cover their bases.

The SAT is a reasoning test. It consists of math and verbal sections, each earning the student a score of a possible 800 or a total score of 1600. The ACT tests the student’s knowledge in four areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning with each carrying 1/4 of the weight toward the total score of 36. Colleges know how to compare the different scores. Both registration forms are available in the College/Career Center or students can register on line at SAT (www.collegeboard.com) or ACT (www.act.org).

There is also the SAT II, the subject tests. The University of California system (not all colleges) require two different SAT II subject tests of the students choice.  Students choosing the math subject test, must take Math level IIC- the C means it is all right to use a calculator. Students taking AP U.S. History might consider taking U.S. History as their third tests. There are 16 subject tests possible, many of them languages. These tests are administered on a Saturday morning. Score Choice for the SAT II has been discontinued for new test takers.

Because more students in Marin take the SAT than the ACT, there are four sites in Marin that offer the SAT. They are listed in the registration manual by the city name: Novato (Novato H.S.), Ross (Branson School), San Anselmo (Drake High School) and San Rafael (Terra Linda H.S. – the best bet for STAND-BY). The ACT is not offered in Marin except for two dates in the fall, the September and October administrations at Novato High School. If the student wishes to take the spring tests, they will have to choose test sites in S.F., Oakland, Berkeley, or Santa Rosa. Most of our students take the ACT at S.F. State.

Most colleges will accept any admission test score taken before January of a student’s senior year. If students are unhappy with their junior spring test results, they have several test dates available in the fall to re-take the tests. The SAT offers test dates in Oct., Nov., and Dec. ACT offers  their test in September, October and December. When students request that their SAT I test results be sent to a college, The College Board sends results from all SAT tests taken. Colleges, however, are interested in the best scores only. The ACT will send just the test date you request.

There are several test preparation companies offering strategy classes in Marin. These courses typically consist of a series of group sessions. The one exception to that is Ivy West which sends tutors to your home. These sessions cost in the neighborhood of $650. Several of the local high school offer free practice test sessions for the SAT.  Watch for e-mail announcements for these dates.

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Tamiscal Independent Study High School
Tel: (415) 945-3750 • Fax: (415) 945-3752
email: tamiscal@marin.k12.ca.us

updated November 29, 2006