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Standardized Testing |
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SAT and ACT Test Dates, Fees, Comparison
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Description
of the SAT
(www.collegeboard.com)
The SAT
assesses critical thinking and problem solving skills in critical
reading, mathematics, and writing.
There are three kinds of
questions: multiple-choice questions, student-produced responses
(fill-in-the-blank in the mathematic section only), and an essay question.
The SAT
is made up of 10 sections: a 25-minute essay, six 25-minute sections
(mathematics, critical reading and writing), two 20-minute sections
(mathematics, critical reading and writing), and a 10-minute multiple-choice
writing section.
Total
test time (without registration info and breaks) is 3 hours and 45 minutes.
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Description
of ACT with Writing
(www.actstudent.org)
The ACT consists of
four multiple-choice tests: English (75 questions, 45 minutes), Mathematics (60 questions, 60 minutes),
Reading, (40 questions, 35 minutes), and Science (40 questions, 35 minutes; measures the interpretation,
analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the
natural sciences.) There is an additional 30-minute
writing portion of the test.
Total test time
(without registration info and breaks) is 3 hours and 25 minutes.
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Typical Testing Schedule for Midland Students
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When
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What
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Where
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Cost
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To-Do
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May 1
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SAT I Reasoning
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Dunn
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$45
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Register before 3/31
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April 10
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ACT with Writing
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Home
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$47
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Register before 3/5
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June 5
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SAT II Subject Tests (US History, Biology E, and Math Level II or a
written Language or Literature
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Home
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$56
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Register before 5/5
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Summer
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Compare ACT and SAT scores. If
you like your scores, you’re done. If
not, decide which one you want to take again to improve scores. Do test preparation.
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October 9
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SAT I Reasoning
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Dunn
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~$45
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Register by August 15
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October 23
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ACT with Writing
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Home
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~$47
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Register by August 15
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November 6
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SAT II Subject Tests (Language with Listening, Literature, repeat one
you wanted to do better on)
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Dunn
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~$56
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Register by September 20
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December
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Last minute desperation testing; not something you should plan on.
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Total
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7-10 tests
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~$250 to $260
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Spring 2010 SAT and ACT Test dates
and fees
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SAT Test Date ($45)
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Subject Tests Available? (Base
fee= $20, add $9 per test)
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Register-By Date
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Late registration on-line
($68)
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Last minute changes by
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May 1 at Dunn
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Yes
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March 31
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April 15
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April 14
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June 5 at home
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Yes
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May 5
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May 19
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May 19
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*Note that there is a March 13 SAT test date
if you want to take it and pay the late registration fee. Most students will not take this test.
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ACT
Test Date ($47 with writing)
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Register-By
Date
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Late
registration (add $21)
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April 10 at home during break
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March 5
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March 19
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June 12 at home
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May 7
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May 21
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Fall 2010 SAT and ACT Test dates
(fees and registration dates yet to be determined)
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SAT Test Date
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ACT Test Date
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October 9 at
Dunn (best day to take SAT I)
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September 12
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November 6 at
Dunn (best day to take SAT II Subject Tests
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October 23 at
home (best day to take this test)
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Test
Preparation
Preparing for the ACT or SAT is generally a good idea. How you decide to do this is up to you.
Some students will use the free on-line
materials available from the SAT and ACT websites. These sites offer you practice tests, daily
sample questions (useful if you log in every day), general tips, and links to
resources you have to pay for. - Some students will buy test prep books from the
SAT or ACT websites or from the local bookstore and work through sample tests
on their own.
- Some students will participate in test prep
courses during the summer between junior and senior year.
- Some will not prepare at all.
- Some will opt to apply to colleges that don’t
require tests (for a list of these schools, see www.fairtest.org).
Whether you prepare and how you prepare is up to you and should
depend on your individual motivation and where you want to apply.
Midland does not offer an on-campus prep course because these
courses take valuable time away from academic study time and from necessary
down time during half-holidays. The
number-one most important piece of a college application is the transcript; while
at school, you should focus your academic energy on your courses.
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Which SAT II Subject Test Should I Take and When |
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Most competitive schools, including the UC’s, require only two subject tests (Harvard requires three). You can take up to three subject tests per test date, then use the best two scores. Most students will take an average of 5 SAT II Subject tests in June of the their junior year and November of their senior year.
If you take Midland’s… | Then sign up for this SAT II Subject Test… | On this date… | | American Studies in 11th grade | US History | June after Junior Year | | Biology in 11th grade | Biology E | June after Junior Year | | Spanish 3 in 11th grade | Spanish | June after Junior Year | | Spanish 3 in 12th grade | Spanish | November of Senior Year | | Spanish 4 in 12th grade | Spanish | November of Senior Year | Fluent in a language? | Language With Listening (Spanish, Korean, Chinese, German, French) | November of Junior Year | | Precalc in 11th grade | Math Level 2 | June after Junior Year | Precalc in 12th grade | Math Level 2 | November of Senior Year if you have any thoughts of majoring in math, sciences, or engineering in college | | Algebra 2 in 12th grade | Math Level 1 | November of Senior Year | | Physics in 11th grade | Physics | June of Junior Year | Physics in 12th grade | Physics | November of Senior Year only if you prepared for test independently over the summer | English in 11th or 12th grade and English is your first language | Literature | Whenever it makes sense to take it. For example, if you take the US History, Biology E, and Math Level 2 in June of Junior year, then you might take Literature in November of your senior year. | English in 12th grade and English is not your first language | Literature | November of your senior year, but only if it’s not a struggle for you to get B’s or higher in Midland’s English classes. If English classes are not your strength, you do not need to take this test. | We do not recommend that you take either the World History or the Chemistry SAT II tests unless you have prepared for these tests on your own. Both tests assume that you have taken traditional survey courses. Although Midland’s unique curriculum teaches you to think critically, understand broad themes and how concepts are interconnected, and even install solar panels (all useful for college and beyond), it does not prepare you for the more traditional World History and Chemistry SAT II tests. If you would like to take these tests, we recommend that you study for them during the summer between junior and senior year, and then take the tests in October of senior year. It may seem silly to take the Language With Listening test if you are already fluent in a language. It is true that competitive private colleges and universities will not be as impressed with an 800 on the Korean With Listening from a student whose first language is Korean; still, the test requires some thinking and will be considered. However, the UC’s do not distinguish between native and non-native speakers. So, if you grew up speaking a foreign language and have any thoughts of applying to the UC system, then this test will give you a definite boost.
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