Are you an ICA senior or junior thinking about attending college? If so, you should be planning to take a college entrance examination this fall. Colleges and universities use the ACT and SAT to compare students during the admissions process, so these are important tests. Most colleges weigh these test scores as an indicator for future success and award scholarships based upon results. It is important to note, however, that these test scores are only one area that colleges will examine when considering admittance. Colleges may also have their own specific requirements to complete in addition to these test scores.
A common practice is to take the ACT or SAT test more than one time in order to gain practice. In fact, there is no penalty for taking the test more than once, and colleges generally take the highest test score, regardless of when it was taken. However, you will incur a cost for each test taken, so that should be taken into consideration when planning which and how many tests to take.
When should students take the ACT or SAT? Generally, the best time to take the ACT or SAT is immediately after taking Algebra II. Most likely, this time will fall at the end of the junior year. The beginning of the senior year is also a good time to take these tests, but students should be careful to assure that test scores reach colleges before deadlines for application and scholarships.
Following are the fall 2010 test registration deadlines for each test:
ACT:
September 17 for October 23 test
November 5 for December 11 test
SAT:
September 9 for October 10 test
October 1 for November 7 test
October 20 for December 5 test
Visit the following websites to register and find out locations. Remember to use the ICA school code when you register (163779) so that your results can be entered on your ICA transcript.
http://www.collegeboard.com/
www.actstudent.org/index.html.
Prepare for the ACT/SAT: Take the PSAT/NMSQT* as a sophomore or junior.
The best way to prepare for college entrance tests is to take the test multiple times. Practice makes perfect! The PSAT/NMSQT is actually designed for that purpose: for sophomores and juniors to see where their weaknesses are so they can remediate in time for the high stakes college entrance tests. Taking this test will also help students become accustomed to the environment for taking college entrance tests.
Juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT also compete for National Merit Scholarships. ICA is proud that we have had three National Merit finalists in the recent years that have been able to attend colleges on full scholarships.
The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered at local high schools on October 13 or 16. The cost is only $13. If you are interested in taking it, you should arrange it through the local school guidance counselor. When you fill out the student information section on the test, you will be able to identify yourself as an ICA student by using our school code (163779). By putting in the ICA school code, the academy will receive your results and will be able to keep them on file.
For information about the PSAT/NMSQT, visit http://www.collegeboard.com/ and click on PSAT/NMSQT. To find the location of the nearest testing location, look under the "Registration and Dates" section or click on this link: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/reg.html.
Plan for the future today! As an ICA high school student, schedule to take these tests before you graduate to give you a head start into getting into the college of your choice.
*SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this site or associated products.