SAT

Like it or not, standardized testing is here to stay. States have their own exams to assess their students’ academic progression, standardized testing in public schools has been mandatory since 1965, but the one standardized test at the forefront of students’ minds is definitely the SAT.

The 2nd semester of junior year and the summer following are pivotal times for a college hopeful. Students need to keep their grades up, maintain participation in school activities, prepare for SATs and/or ACTs and begin the college admissions process. This can all seem quite overwhelming, so help your student get ahead by preparing for summer now!

Get your summer college visit list together

One reason that many high school juniors and seniors dread taking the SAT assessment is that the exam is administered exclusively on Saturday mornings. Another is that the registration fees associated with the test can be daunting. With the recent introduction of SAT School Day, the College Board is working to eliminate some of the stresses associated with taking the SAT.

The December SAT is near and for those still interested in taking the test on December 1, the late registration deadline has extended. The late registration has been moved to November 19, so you have a few extra days to get your registration in.

Please note that there is an extra $27 fee for late registration. Please go here to the College Board’s website to register for the December 1 SAT today!

Due to Hurricane Sandy and the ongoing recovery, there have been several scheduling changes from the New York Department of Education:

• The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) that was to be held on Saturday, November 3 has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 17. Students with conflicts will be able to make accommodations.
• The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) that was to be held on Sunday, October 28 has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 18. Students with conflicts will be able to make accommodations.

Every high school junior has to decide whether to take the SAT, the ACT or both. But many students are not familiar enough with either test to make this decision. It is important to understand the difference between the tests and know yourself as student in order to make the right decision. Below are some key differences between the SAT and ACT to help you choose. Also be sure to check out our extensive ACT vs. SAT guide that can be downloaded here.

Peer Blog. You should definitely check out the Peer Blog as it offers the unique viewpoint of our high school and college peer tutors. Here is a roundup of some posts from the last few weeks:

“If you’re a rising junior, take heed: don’t blow off the PSAT,” says Aristotle Circle expert Pam P. Indeed, there are many advantages to taking the PSAT seriously. Taking the PSAT can help with admissions, financial aid and ultimately SAT scores so it is definitely a test that should only be ignored at your own peril. On the bright side, a little bit of preparation can create a competitive advantage since many students and parents ignore the potential value of the PSAT and choose to only focus on the SATs.

So you’ve been working on the SATs throughout your junior year. No matter how many times you take or practice the test, you can’t seem to get a good score. Frustration and annoyance comes along, and you feel like you’ll never improve and you only have one more shot because you also have to take the subject tests. Coming from my own experience, I understand how you feel.

Number of students who take the SAT
1,547,990 students / year
Male test-takers: 720, 793
Female test-takers: 827,197

Similarities / Differences between the SAT and the PSAT