Test Options for Students
A standardized test is any form of test that (1) requires all test takers to answer the same questions, or a selection of questions from common bank of questions, in the same way, and that (2) is scored in a “standard” or consistent manner, which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students or groups of students.
Most colleges and university systems require that applicants have taken some form of standardized test. Similar types of exams are even required for enlisting in the armed services. Here are the types of tests your students need to be made aware of:
At the bottom of this page you will find a list frequently asked questions.
Most colleges and university systems require that applicants have taken some form of standardized test. Similar types of exams are even required for enlisting in the armed services. Here are the types of tests your students need to be made aware of:
- SAT Test
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT Test
- ASVAB Exam
At the bottom of this page you will find a list frequently asked questions.
THE SAT TEST
The SAT, originally known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a comprehensive college readiness exam that assesses a students MATH, CRITICAL READING, and WRITING ability. The exam is very common and widely used for college admissions.
The exam features multiple sections which include:
For scoring purposes the exam takes into account the two main sections (MATH & READING/WRITING). Each section has a maximum score of 800 points, allowing for a total score of 1600. While there is no defined "passing" grade, different schools require different scores. It is the responsibility of the college applicant to research and determine what scores are competitive for the schools they are interested in applying to.
For more information about the current structure of the SAT please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests
In order to take the exam students will need to create a profile on the College Board website. Once you have done so you can select a test date and proceed with your registration. To create an account and/or register for an upcoming exam follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register
The cost of the SAT is $57 with writing and $45 without the writing section. The SAT allows qualifying students to use a waiver as a form of payment. BE ADVISED, that the College Board only allows students to use a total of 2 SAT test waivers. To find out if you qualify for a waiver please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers
If you are a qualifying student or parent of a qualifying student you will need to pick the waiver up from the College & Career Center, room 209, in person.
The SAT, originally known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a comprehensive college readiness exam that assesses a students MATH, CRITICAL READING, and WRITING ability. The exam is very common and widely used for college admissions.
The exam features multiple sections which include:
- MATH
- EVIDENCE BASED READING & WRITING
- ESSAY (optional)
For scoring purposes the exam takes into account the two main sections (MATH & READING/WRITING). Each section has a maximum score of 800 points, allowing for a total score of 1600. While there is no defined "passing" grade, different schools require different scores. It is the responsibility of the college applicant to research and determine what scores are competitive for the schools they are interested in applying to.
For more information about the current structure of the SAT please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests
In order to take the exam students will need to create a profile on the College Board website. Once you have done so you can select a test date and proceed with your registration. To create an account and/or register for an upcoming exam follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register
The cost of the SAT is $57 with writing and $45 without the writing section. The SAT allows qualifying students to use a waiver as a form of payment. BE ADVISED, that the College Board only allows students to use a total of 2 SAT test waivers. To find out if you qualify for a waiver please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers
If you are a qualifying student or parent of a qualifying student you will need to pick the waiver up from the College & Career Center, room 209, in person.
SAT SUBJECT TESTS
SAT Subject Tests are hour-long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where you excel. These are the only national admission tests where you choose the tests that best showcase your achievements and interests. As the name implies, these exams focus only on one subject at a time ;however, you do have the option of taking multiple subject tests in different areas of study.
In today's academic landscape, only top tier institutions REQUIRE students to submit SAT Subject Test scores along with the standard SAT test. Many schools give student's the option to submit either Subject Test scores or the standard SAT test. Some schools even allow students to substitute SAT Subject Test scores for college classes or credits.
Again it is the applicants responsibility to determine what the schools admission requirements and competitive score ranges are.
For more information about the current structure of the SAT Subject Tests please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat-subject-tests
Just like the standard SAT test, students will need to create a profile on the College Board website in order to take SAT Subject Tests. If you have already created an account for your standard SAT test then you will simply use the same account. Once you have logged in you can select a test date and proceed with your registration. Again, you have the option to take multiple Subject Tests of varying subject areas in one test session. To create an account and/or register for an upcoming exam follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register
The cost of an SAT Subject Test session varies. For an explanation of cost and fees please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/us-services-fees
The SAT (College Board) allows qualifying students to use a waiver as a form of payment for Subject Test sessions. BE ADVISED, that the College Board only allows students to use a total of 2 SAT Subject Test waivers. To find out if you qualify for a waiver please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers
If you are a qualifying student or parent of a qualifying student you will need to pick the waiver up from the office of Student Services.
SAT Subject Tests are hour-long, content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where you excel. These are the only national admission tests where you choose the tests that best showcase your achievements and interests. As the name implies, these exams focus only on one subject at a time ;however, you do have the option of taking multiple subject tests in different areas of study.
In today's academic landscape, only top tier institutions REQUIRE students to submit SAT Subject Test scores along with the standard SAT test. Many schools give student's the option to submit either Subject Test scores or the standard SAT test. Some schools even allow students to substitute SAT Subject Test scores for college classes or credits.
Again it is the applicants responsibility to determine what the schools admission requirements and competitive score ranges are.
For more information about the current structure of the SAT Subject Tests please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat-subject-tests
Just like the standard SAT test, students will need to create a profile on the College Board website in order to take SAT Subject Tests. If you have already created an account for your standard SAT test then you will simply use the same account. Once you have logged in you can select a test date and proceed with your registration. Again, you have the option to take multiple Subject Tests of varying subject areas in one test session. To create an account and/or register for an upcoming exam follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register
The cost of an SAT Subject Test session varies. For an explanation of cost and fees please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/us-services-fees
The SAT (College Board) allows qualifying students to use a waiver as a form of payment for Subject Test sessions. BE ADVISED, that the College Board only allows students to use a total of 2 SAT Subject Test waivers. To find out if you qualify for a waiver please follow the link below:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers
If you are a qualifying student or parent of a qualifying student you will need to pick the waiver up from the office of Student Services.
THE ACT TEST
The ACT is a curriculum and standards based comprehensive exam that assesses students’ academic readiness for college. Just like the SAT test, the ACT is very common and widely used for college admissions.
There are four required sections in the ACT (ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, READING, SCIENCE REASONING) and one optional section (WRITING). The scoring for the ACT is much different than the SAT. Students who take the ACT will receive a comprehensive score report that includes a grade ranging from 1 to 36 in all four of the required sections, and a composite score that summarizes their performance on the entire test (also ranging from 1 to 36). Students who elect to take the optional WRITING section will receive an additional score ranging from 1 to 12; however, the composite score will not incorporate this section.
Just like the SAT test there is no there is no defined "passing" grade for the ACT. Still, different schools require different scores. It is the responsibility of the college applicant to research and determine what scores are competitive for the schools they are interested in applying to.
For more information about the current structure of the ACT please follow the link below:
https://www.act.org/products/k-12-act-test/
In order to take the exam students will need to create a profile on the ACT's main website. Once you have done so you can select a test date and proceed with your registration. To create an account and/or register for an upcoming exam follow the link below:
http://www.actstudent.org/
The cost of the ACT is $58.50 with the WRITING section and $42.50 without. The ACT allows qualifying students to use a waiver as a form of payment. BE ADVISED, that the ACT only allows students to use a total of 2 ACT test waivers. To find out if you qualify for a waiver please follow the link below:
http://www.actstudent.org/faq/feewaiver.html
If you are a qualifying student or parent of a qualifying student you will need to pick the waiver up from the office of Student Services.
The ACT is a curriculum and standards based comprehensive exam that assesses students’ academic readiness for college. Just like the SAT test, the ACT is very common and widely used for college admissions.
There are four required sections in the ACT (ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, READING, SCIENCE REASONING) and one optional section (WRITING). The scoring for the ACT is much different than the SAT. Students who take the ACT will receive a comprehensive score report that includes a grade ranging from 1 to 36 in all four of the required sections, and a composite score that summarizes their performance on the entire test (also ranging from 1 to 36). Students who elect to take the optional WRITING section will receive an additional score ranging from 1 to 12; however, the composite score will not incorporate this section.
Just like the SAT test there is no there is no defined "passing" grade for the ACT. Still, different schools require different scores. It is the responsibility of the college applicant to research and determine what scores are competitive for the schools they are interested in applying to.
For more information about the current structure of the ACT please follow the link below:
https://www.act.org/products/k-12-act-test/
In order to take the exam students will need to create a profile on the ACT's main website. Once you have done so you can select a test date and proceed with your registration. To create an account and/or register for an upcoming exam follow the link below:
http://www.actstudent.org/
The cost of the ACT is $58.50 with the WRITING section and $42.50 without. The ACT allows qualifying students to use a waiver as a form of payment. BE ADVISED, that the ACT only allows students to use a total of 2 ACT test waivers. To find out if you qualify for a waiver please follow the link below:
http://www.actstudent.org/faq/feewaiver.html
If you are a qualifying student or parent of a qualifying student you will need to pick the waiver up from the office of Student Services.
THE ASVAB
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. It is often offered to high school students when they are in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade, though anyone eligible for enlistment may take it.
Although the test is administered by the military, it is not (and never has been) a requirement that a test-taker with a qualifying score enlist in the armed forces.
The ASVAB currently contains 10 sections (except the written test, which contains 9 sections). The test is typically administered in a computerized format at Military Entrance Processing Stations, known as MEPS, or at a satellite location called a Military Entrance Test (MET) site. Testing procedures vary depending on the mode of administration.
There is no cost to take the ASVAB.
ASVAB TESTS THAT ARE OFFERED AT WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE WRITTEN VERSIONS.
For specific information about the ASVAB please follow the link below:
http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab
Unlike the other exams mentioned above (SAT and ACT) there is a minimum passing score. The minimum score for enlistment varies according to branch of service and whether the enlistee has a high school diploma. It is the requirement for the applicant to research and determine what is the necessary score. ASVAB scores are only good for 2 years.
For information about if and when the ASVAB will be offered at Westlake please contact the office of Student Services.
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. It is often offered to high school students when they are in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade, though anyone eligible for enlistment may take it.
Although the test is administered by the military, it is not (and never has been) a requirement that a test-taker with a qualifying score enlist in the armed forces.
The ASVAB currently contains 10 sections (except the written test, which contains 9 sections). The test is typically administered in a computerized format at Military Entrance Processing Stations, known as MEPS, or at a satellite location called a Military Entrance Test (MET) site. Testing procedures vary depending on the mode of administration.
There is no cost to take the ASVAB.
ASVAB TESTS THAT ARE OFFERED AT WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE WRITTEN VERSIONS.
For specific information about the ASVAB please follow the link below:
http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab
Unlike the other exams mentioned above (SAT and ACT) there is a minimum passing score. The minimum score for enlistment varies according to branch of service and whether the enlistee has a high school diploma. It is the requirement for the applicant to research and determine what is the necessary score. ASVAB scores are only good for 2 years.
For information about if and when the ASVAB will be offered at Westlake please contact the office of Student Services.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why are no test dates listed on this page?
Test dates change every academic year. I firmly believe that no information is better than incorrect information. In order to find out when the test you are seeking is available please visit the appropriate website.
how can i get a test waiver?
First, only juniors and seniors are allowed to use a waiver. Second, you must qualify for a waiver by demonstrating some form of financial need. Third, you are only allowed to use 2 ACT waivers, 2 SAT waivers, and 2 SAT Subject test waivers regardless of your financial status.
For information regarding demonstrated financial need please follow the appropriate links:
SAT Test & Subject Tests - https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers
ACT Test - http://www.actstudent.org/faq/feewaiver.html
Once you have determined that you meet all the necessary requirements please arrange to pick up the appropriate waiver in person in room 209.
For information regarding demonstrated financial need please follow the appropriate links:
SAT Test & Subject Tests - https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers
ACT Test - http://www.actstudent.org/faq/feewaiver.html
Once you have determined that you meet all the necessary requirements please arrange to pick up the appropriate waiver in person in room 209.
Can I use my Sat test waiver for the ACT INSTEAD (and vice versa)?
No. Standardized test waivers are non-transferable... even between comparable exams.