Overview
While there are a number
of schools that de-emphasize standardized test results*, many institutions continue to require standardized tests as one means
of comparison between applicants. Most colleges understand that students and
groups of students have different testing profiles. The schools that utilize
test scores the most are large universities at which a score might make the
difference between an acceptance and denial. Most other colleges, including
some of the most selective colleges, accept students within a range of scores.
(*For a list of the 400 or so institutions that de-emphasize test results,
visit www.fairtest.org)
It is the student's responsibility to be aware of test
registration deadlines and the testing requirements of the colleges to which
he/she will apply. Students will need to
provide the LHPS’ CEEB code (101-294) when registering for the SAT and/or ACT
and when applying to colleges.
Click on a desired topic or scroll down
PSAT/NMSQT Information (including test date)
SAT Information (including test dates)
Advanced Placement (AP) Information (including exam dates and schedule)
ACT Information (including test dates)
Frequently Asked Questions Pertaining to Standardized Testing
PSAT/NMSQT
(including 2008 test date)
*All 9th – 11th graders will sit for the PSAT exam.
LHPS will administer the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary
SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) on the morning of
In December students receive a Score Report which includes
personalized feedback on test questions and an “Improve Your Skills” section.
Because the test is “normed” for the academic preparation of juniors, freshmen
and sophomores should not be alarmed if their scores are lower than
anticipated. The Score Report can serve as a useful diagnostic tool, indicating
specific academic skills to which a student might want to devote particular
attention in his/her coursework and in his/her course selection.
The PSAT/NMSQT is the first step in the National Merit
Scholarship process. The National Merit Selection Index is determined annually
for juniors. The minimum score necessary to receive national recognition varies
from year to year and from state to state. LHPS consistently has students
recognized in the National Merit Scholarship process.
For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT, visit www.collegeboard.com.
SAT Information
(including 2008 – 2009 SAT test dates)
SAT I
Students generally should take the SAT I in the spring of their junior year
and, if necessary, once or twice more in the fall of the senior year.
Regardless of how many times a student takes the SAT I, the colleges will
receive all of the scores; the student will not be allowed to choose which
scores to send. Most schools, however, will use the student’s best verbal score
and best math score, even if from different testing days.
SAT II Subject Tests
As a general rule students need to be aware of the requirements or
recommendations regarding SAT II tests of the colleges in which they’re most
interested. Students planning to apply to the most selective colleges should
consider taking three SAT II Subject Tests by the end of the junior year. Each
curriculum-based test is one hour long so a student may sit for as many as
three tests at one time. Your counselor can provide guidance as to appropriate
subject tests.
- To register for any SAT, go to www.collegeboard.com.
- The LHPS CEEB code is 101-294
- The LHPS site code for the SAT is 10-534 (use only if testing at LHPS)
*Offered at LHPS
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Test Dates |
Test |
Registration Deadlines |
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U.S Regular |
U.S Late |
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SAT & Subject Tests |
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November 1, 2008 |
SAT & Subject Tests —
includes Language Tests with Listening |
September 26, 2008 |
October 10, 2008 |
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December 6, 2008 |
SAT & Subject Tests |
November 5, 2008 |
November 18, 2008 |
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January 24, 2009 * |
SAT & Subject Tests |
December 26, 2008 |
January 6, 2009 |
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March 14, 2009 |
SAT only |
February 10, 2009 |
February 24, 2009 |
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May 2, 2009 * |
SAT & Subject Tests |
March 31, 2009 |
April. 9, 2009 |
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June 6, 2009 |
SAT & Subject Tests |
May 5, 2009 |
May 15, 2009 |
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Advanced Placement (AP) Information (including 2009
test schedule)
This College Board program enables students to challenge
themselves with college-level work, demonstrate their proficiency to college
admission officers, and earn college credit or placement in higher-level
college classes. Scores range from a low of 1 to a high of 5. Colleges
generally require at least a score of 3 for credit. The examinations are given
in May at LHPS. For more details, please visit www.collegeboard.com.
- LHPS students
enrolled in any AP course are required to sit for the AP exam in that
subject. Students are automatically
registered and billed for the exam.
2009 AP Exam Dates
Week 1 - May 4 – 8*
Week 2 - May 11 – 15*
*Students wishing to
take exams that are scheduled for the same time slot should ask Mrs. Kathy
Taylor, LHPS’ AP Coordinator, to contact AP Services.
ACT Information (including 2008 – 2009 test dates)
This testing program is used mostly by colleges in the
South and Midwest but almost all schools will accept this test in place of the
SAT I. Students receive a score for each subject-related test (English,
mathematics, science, and social studies) as well as a composite score that
ranges from 1 to 36. ACT scores are generally comparable to SAT scores.
- To register for the ACT, go to www.act.org.
- The CEEB code for
LHPS is 101-294.
- The LHPS site code for the ACT is 161820 (use only if testing at
LHPS).
*Offered at LHPS
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Test Date |
Regular Registration Deadline |
Late Registration Deadline |
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September 13, 2008* |
August 12, 2008 |
August 22, 2008 |
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October 25, 2008 |
September 19, 2008 |
October 3, 2008 |
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December 13, 2008 |
November 7, 2008 |
November 20, 2008 |
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February 7, 2009 |
January 6, 2009 |
January 16, 2009 |
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April 4, 2009* |
February 27, 2009 |
March 13, 2009 |
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June 13, 2009 |
May 8, 2009 |
May 22, 2009 |
Preparation
LHPS’ academic program develops the verbal and mathematical reasoning
abilities measured by the SAT I exam and provides the curricular knowledge
assessed by the SAT II exams. For those students wanting additional preparation,
LHPS offers a test prep course titled Logic and Semantics, which is a semester
long course that focuses on improving a student’s verbal and math skills.
The College Board provides very good practice materials,
including sample questions, in its free booklets, Taking the SAT I Reasoning
Test and Taking the SAT II Subject Tests. The ACT offers a similar
resource, Preparing for the ACT Assessment. All three booklets can be
picked up in the College and
Bookstores and libraries generally carry more extensive
books and software for independent preparation. Generally, the best preparation
is to work hard in academic courses and to do extensive outside reading,
including summer reading. Some students find test preparation courses helpful.
Scores generally go up, tutored or not, twenty to thirty points with each
repeat test. Studies suggest, however, that the average score increase after a
preparation program generally does not exceed fifty points, and sometimes
students show declines. Studies also indicate that the math score responds more
readily to specific tutoring than the verbal score which is more a measure of
acquired language background and reading completed over a long period of time.
Standardized tests don’t claim to assess motivation,
creativity, artistic skills, athletic abilities, kindness, decency, integrity,
sense of humor and other human qualities that colleges take into account when
admitting students. In life, these qualities should be more important than
another 50 points on the SAT.
Non-Standardized Testing
Students with a diagnosed and properly
documented learning disability and/or physical handicap are eligible for
non-standardized testing. Students who believe they qualify for extended time
testing should meet with the Edison Program Coordinator for specific
information about registering and testing plans. The process can be quite
lengthy so students and families should plan ahead.
Fee
Waivers
Fee waivers are available to juniors and
seniors for the ACT, the SAT I, and the SAT II exams. Students who believe they
may qualify because of demonstrable economic need should talk with their
counselor as soon as possible. An ACT or SAT fee waiver may qualify a student
for an application fee reduction or waiver at various colleges and also makes a
student-athlete eligible for a waiver of the NCAA clearinghouse fee.
Frequently Asked Standardized Testing Questions
What is the PSAT and why is it important?
What standardized tests are required for admission to college? When should I test?
What are SAT II Subject Tests?
Do I need to take the ACT test? If so, when should I schedule it?
How do colleges use standardized test results?
Am I able to choose which scores to send to colleges?
What can I do to get ready for standardized tests?
How do I register for the SAT or ACT?
What standardized tests are required for
admission to college? When should I
test?
The great majority of colleges and
universities require scores from one or more of the following tests: the SAT I; the SAT II Subject Tests, a set of
tests designed to evaluate a student’s abilities in specific disciplines; or
the ACT. Students at Lake Highland follow
a structured calendar, a calendar designed to meet all college deadlines:
Ninth Grade: October - PSAT (Preliminary SAT)
Tenth Grade: October - PSAT
Eleventh Grade: October - PSAT (for National Merit
Scholarship competition)
Winter/Spring - SAT I, SAT II Subject Tests,
and/or ACT**
** Three opportunities in the spring of the junior year
allows a student to take the SAT I at least once prior to the senior year. Additionally, three opportunities are
available in the first semester of the senior year.
Twelfth Grade: Early Fall - SAT I, SAT II Subject Tests, ACT
(for improvement of scores or if not previously taken)
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List of Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take the ACT? If so, when should I schedule it?
LHPS counselors recommend taking
both the SAT I and ACT at least one
time in preparation for the college admission process. Taking both tests will allow the student to
realize which test is more appropriate for him/her. Six test dates for the ACT occur each school
year. The College and
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How do colleges use standardized test
results?
Standardized tests are rarely the
most important factor in an admission decision, but the scores provide one of
the very few means by which colleges can evaluate students across the
country. Standardized test scores, then,
form part of the total picture of an applicant.
For example, colleges have higher expectations of students who come from
educated, English-speaking homes. (Note:
Students who are non-native English speakers may wish to take the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Check with your counselor to determine
whether this test is appropriate for you.)
Every school uses test scores differently. To get an idea of the range of scores for
which schools are looking, consult the schools website or the guidebooks in the
College and
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Am I able to
choose which scores to send to colleges?
Educational Testing Services
(ETS), the organization that sponsors SAT I testing, maintains a cumulative
file of all SAT I scores for an individual student. Students may not choose which scores to send. However, most colleges and universities will
look for the highest scores from different test dates. Please check with individual colleges or
universities for their specific policy.
The ACT score reporting process is not cumulative. Students are able to choose which score(s)
they want sent to colleges.
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List of Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do to get ready for standardized
tests?
Work diligently in a challenging
course load. Never miss an opportunity
to build your vocabulary. Make sure you
have mastered algebraic and geometric formulae and equations. Some students have benefited from outside
assistance such as printed test prep guides, private individual tutoring,
and/or group tutoring by an outside company.
Above all read, read, read. And, when you are done reading, read some
more.
For additional information on
preparing for standardized tests, refer to the section of this page titled, Preparation.
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List of Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for the SAT or ACT?
The College and
Lake Highland’s CEEB code is
101-294.
LHPS’ site code for the SAT is
10-534.
LHPS’ site code for the ACT is
161820.
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List of Frequently Asked Questions