• Plan ahead and register early online.
• Take practice timed tests and/or a test prep class.
• Do all testing in spring of the junior year (senior year is for damage control).
• Be rested and positive on test day.
• Arrive early to the test site and have a photo ID.

• Register online at www.collegeboard.com.
• Fee waivers are available for low-income students.
• ACT is a curricular test with three sections: critical reading, math, writing.
• Each section is scored 200–800 to equal a perfect score of 2400.
• Critical Reading: short and long passages from natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and literary fiction.
• Math: up to Algebra II; calculator is allowed.
• Writing: 25-minute persuasive essay; readers look for length, neatness, organization, opinion stated early, conclusion.
• PSAT® in grades 10 and 11 is good practice.

• Register online at www.act.org.
• Fee waivers are available for low-income students.
• A curricular test with four parts and an optional writing test that is taken last.
• No penalty for guessing.
• A four-part test: reading, math, English, scientific reasoning.
• Reading: comprehension and reasoning.
• Math: up to trigonometry; calculator is allowed.
• English: grammar and usage.
• Scientific reasoning: interpretation and problem-solving skills.
• Score: 1–36 on each subtest and a composite (average score).
• Writing: persuasive essay with possible solutions given.
• In-depth interest inventory.
• PLAN test in grade 10 is good practice.

SAT® Subject Test

• Additional tests required by some selective universities (and UC schools).
• Choices: history, English literature, math, laboratory science, foreign language.
• Student can take one, two, or three tests at any sitting.
• Take subjects tests when you complete an advanced course.

A special thanks to Louise McClain, Head Counselor at Granite Hills High School for this information.