SAT 1 Reasoning & SAT II Subject Test Dates

Should I Take the SAT or the ACT? What’s the Difference?

All four-year colleges accept either the ACT (American College ACT (www.act.org) SAT (www.sat.collegeboard.org) Test) or the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). Check with the - Science, Math, Reading, - Critical Reading universities to which you are applying as some prefer one over English Math, Writing the other. Because research indicates many students perform - Accepted nationally - Accepted nationally differently on the ACT and SAT, it may benefit you to take both. - Curriculum based - Reasoning Collegestypically use the higher score for admission, scholarship - No penalty for wrong - ¼ point penalty for and athletic eligibility. Students applying to a UC must add the answers each wrong answer optional ACT Writing component and may be required to take - Multiple-choice - Math grid-ins specific SAT Subject tests (depending on your major). - Basic Fee: $36.50 - Basic Fee: $51 ACT + Writing $52.50 - Subject Test Registration: $24.50 IMPORTANT: Your registration fee includes having your scores Each Subject Test: $13 sent to four schools ($12 for each additional school). Take - Writing essay: 30 min. - Writing: 25 min. advantage of this opportunity and save money!!! - Perfect score: 36 - Perfect score: 2400

$ Money Saving Tip! Use code 3594 to send SAT scores to all CSUs. Use code 9999 to send scores to the NCAA. SAT scores sent to one UC will be sent to all UCs. ACT scores must be sent to each individual college where you will apply.

When Should I Take These Tests? Take the required tests at least once by the spring of the junior year. Students applying to UC campuses may be required to take specific SAT Subject Tests for impacted majors (check individual department information). Subject tests are best taken following completion of a corollary subject (e.g. biology after completing physiology, Math II after completing H Pre-Calculus, etc.). Here are some benefits to testing in the junior year:  You will have your scores early (and take some stress out of the application process in your senior year)  You may decide to take additional classes to try and improve your scores  You have time to retest, if desired  Colleges will have an early indication of your interests and may send you timely information Students planning to complete 60 transferable units at the community college (transfer as a junior) are not required to take an SAT or ACT. We recommend taking at least one test, however, ‘just in case’ you change your mind in the senior year.

ACT and SAT Test Prep Opportunities It is a good idea to practice and prepare for any test. The ACT and SAT are no different! True, you can’t cram a lifetime of knowledge into a few weeks, but you can get a ‘feel’ for the test format(s), learn how to strategize when answering questions and refresh math and vocabulary skills. Students at WHS have different resources to help in this preparation effort, including:

 Free Kaplan ACT and SAT Online Prep. www.kaptest.com/kas. Before registering, get the current promo code from Ms. Griffin in the College & Career Center. Under “Free Resources”, click on SAT or ACT prep. Complete the registration information and use the promo code. This should bring your total to 0.00. Save your password information!  Complete KAPLAN SAT Prep. On-site classes offered at WHS. See Ms. Griffin, in the College and Career Center for registration information. Cost is $699. (Scholarships are available for students on free or reduced lunch.)  Tastor and Becker SAT Prep: David Tastor and Scott Becker, Granite Bay IB and AP English and Mathematics teachers at Granite Bay HS, have offered SAT Prep for the past 10 years. 8 Hour Math and English preparation sessions offered separately. Cost is $150 per 8 hour course and are offered at Woodcreek HS. Visit www.granitebaytestprep.com .  Purchase an SAT or ACT Prep book (e.g.Peterson’s or Princeton Review) at your local bookstore) or check one out for free at the College & Career Center. Plus, visit the College & Career Center for a list of additional prep opportunities.  Go to www.sat.collegeboard.org or www.act.org for opportunities to take practice tests.