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College testing information

David Barfield, CHECK Chairman
July 1999, updated October 2000

Introduction

My wife and I are not authorities on the subject of college testing. But we are learning about this important area as our children grow and begin to look ahead to the likelihood of time in college. Below is what we know on the subject of college testing that may be helpful to some of you. We would welcome supplemental information from those of you who are further along than us.

Generally those who are college bound take the PSAT in their junior year and the ACT and/or SAT in her senior year. These tests have considerable bearing on college options, scholarships and the like. Preparatory work can be quite helpful. We are working with our oldest to prepare her for these tests. This includes the purchase of books that talk about how to prepare and to follow the advice of the books as best we can.

We plan to have our daughter take the PSAT this year (as a sophomore) as a practice for next year. We also plan to have her take the ACT and/or the SAT a year ahead of her senior year. All this can be done. Below is information from discussion with our local school district guidance counselor and off the web. Some of the information is specific to Lawrence. Those of you not in Lawrence will have to do some research but I trust this will be a helpful starting place.

PSAT - Junior year

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is taken during a student's junior year. It is the basis for the National Merit Scholarships and is taken as practice for the SAT which many students take their senior year. The test is administered only one day a year each fall throughout the country at the local high schools. The 2000 exam was Saturday, October 21st (about 8-11:00 am).

Our local high school guidance counselor told us that our daughter could take it at either of Lawrence's high schools. She suggested that she could sign up for the test at the school's guidance office just after school was again in session, approximately September 1st. The cost of the test is around $20. When she signs up, she will be given a receipt to bring on the test date to indicate she has paid. You may wish to call your local guidance counselor to confirm the information for your local school district.

Below is a link to the College Board's web site for more information.

http://www.collegeboard.com/psat/student/html/indx001.html

Overview of senior year tests

Colleges require prospective students to take one of two tests as part of their admissions process, the ACT and the SAT. In the mid-west, the ACT is more prevalent; on the coasts, the SAT. You may need to have your students take both if they are applying to a variety of schools.

ACT

Below is a link to the ACT's web site for more information. You can register on line. The site provides a full listing of test sites and dates.

For the 2000-2001 school year, the table below provides the test dates and registration deadlines. In Lawrence, the test is offered at Lawrence High on each of these dates.

http://www.act.org/

SAT

For 2000-2001, the table below notes the test dates and registration deadlines for this school year's SAT. You can register on-line.

The College Board's web site does not list SAT test locations. We understand that in Lawrence it is offered at K.U. According to the guidance counselor you can pick up a booklet with detailed information from any high school guidance counselor.

Below is a link to the college board's web site for more information.

http://www.collegeboard.com/sat/html/students/indx001.html

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