2005-2006 Test Dates

Descriptions of and reasons for taking the various college entrance tests follow the test schedules you see below.

*Genesee's School Code Number is 130225.  The same number is used to register for both the ACT and the SAT tests.

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College Entrance Exam Descriptions

ACT and SAT   for students planning to attend four-year colleges & universities

Most four year colleges and universities use the scores from one or both of these tests as part of their admissions criteria.  Many colleges and other agencies also use these scores as part of their criteria for awarding scholarships.  Most colleges will base decisions for admission, scholarship awards and advanced placement in college classes on the highest score reported, if tests are taken multiple times.  For scores to be considered for scholarships and/or college admission decisions, I would recommend that seniors take one or both of these tests by November* or December.**  Many students choose to take one or both of these tests during their junior year as practice for when they take it as a senior.  Most students do improve their score somewhat by taking these tests a second time.  Students who plan to invest the time in a formal SAT or ACT preparation program can get valuable feedback by taking one or both tests as a junior, discovering their areas of relative strength and weakness to guide where best to invest additional preparation efforts.

There is one major difference between these two tests that I would like to point out.  The developers of both tests added an essay component in the spring of 2005.  Some colleges now require a score from the essay portion of one of these tests, while others do not.  All students taking the SAT must take the essay portion of the test and must pay the additional registration fee for it.  On the ACT test, the essay portion and the additional fee are optional.  ACT also has a website where you can check to see if the college you are interested in requires a score for the writing portion of the test, at  ACT Writing Test Required?

COMPASS   for students planning to enroll in vocational/technical programs       

The COMPASS is another test used in the admissions and course placement process, this one utilized by community and technical colleges.  The COMPASS is a computerized test that provides important information about individual skills and preparation for college-level courses.  It is an untimed, adaptive, computer-based test that measures skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. The COMPASS test has three parts, covering Math, Reading and Writing.  Our students can take the COMPASS at Lewis-Clark State College on Monday-Thursday mornings.  The charge for the entire test is $15.  Tips for preparing for the COMPASS are available at   www.lcsc.edu/cnd and actual practice questions can be found at   www.act.org   Call LCSC’s Center for New Directions at least three-four days in advance to schedule the COMPASS, at 1-208-792-2331.

PSAT/NMSQT     Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

The PSAT test is for any interested Juniors and Sophomores.  It is administered nationwide each year on a Wednesday in mid-October, including here at Genesee high School.  Genesee students can register for this test in our office starting in early October, at a cost of $12 (2005 fee).  This test is designed as a practice exam for the SAT test, but can also open the doors to some substantial scholarship funds from the National Merit Scholarship program if the student scores extremely well on it as a junior.  Students who take the PSAT as a sophomore tend to score higher on it as juniors than those who did not.  Freshmen (and younger students) interested in taking the test may be allowed, space permitting.  Contact the school guidance counselor if interested.

Additional information on the PSAT, the NMSQT scholarship program, and PSAT preparation materials can be found at:  PSAT info

Additional Test Information Web Sites

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Because of the rapidly changing nature of the Web, some sites may be broken or gone completely.

ACT Links:

www.act.org ~ ACT Assessment. ACT information about the ACT college entrance test.

www.act.org/aap/testprep/engstrat.html ~ An overview of what each section of the ACT looks like. 

www.act.org/aap/testprep/sambooks.html ~ A site at which additional study materials for the ACT exam may be purchased.

SAT Links:

www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html ~ SAT prep site.

www.collegeboard.org/sat/html/students/indx001.html ~ The SAT program online. Tons of information about the SAT.

www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/sat/satguide/SAT_Verbal.pdf ~ Help on the SAT verbal section.

www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/sat/satguide/SAT_Math.pdf ~ Help on the SAT math section.

www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/sat/satguide/SAT_Score.pdf ~ Help on understanding the scoring of the SAT assessment.

www.syndicate.com ~ Syndicate helps you learn vocabulary for the SAT. Also links to the Bard Notebook, which helps students write better essays and term papers.

www.powerprep.com ~ College Power Prep. This site is designed primarily to sell exam preparation products, however, it includes a free SAT diagnostic test designed to help you determine your weak points.

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