The ACT

The ACT organization offers the ACT. Register at www.actstudent.org.  

The ACT tests in 4 subject areas, plus an optional writing test.

• English: Grammar and word usage.
• Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Trigonometry.
• Reading Comprehension: Reading comprehension in multiple subject areas.
• Science: Understanding scientific information in a variety of methods (text, charts, etc.)
• Writing (Optional): Some colleges do not require this 30 minute timed essay. Click here to see which colleges require the writing test.

The ACT takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. If you take the ACT more than once, you may select which scores to send to colleges. 

Quick Tip:  

• UC: students can have their official score report sent to one UC campus, and all campuses they apply to will receive it. Click here for more info.
• CSU: If you have listed a CSU campus as an ACT score report recipient, you can use the ACT Scores Manager to release your score to additional campuses. Before you can use the ACT Scores Manager, you must first have arranged for your scores to be sent to at least one CSU campus. Click here for more info.
• NCAA: use the code 9999 to send your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Click here to find more information on how to send your test scores to colleges and Universities. 

The SAT

The College Board offers the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and the Practice SAT (PSAT). Register at www.sat.collegeboard.org. 

The SAT tests the skills you are learning in school: reading, writing and math.

• Critical reading: Reading in multiple subjects; includes reading passages and sentence completions.
• Mathematics: Arithmetic operations, Algebra, Geometry and Algebra 2.
• Writing: Includes a timed essay and a multiple-choice section on identifying errors and improving grammar and usage (some colleges do not use this score).

The SAT takes approximately 4 hours to complete. If you take the SAT more than once, some colleges will accept your top score from one sitting; while others will SuperScore, meaning add together your top scores from each section across multiple sittings.

Click here to find more information on how to send your test scores to colleges and Universities.

Quick Tip:  

• UC: students can have their official score report sent to one UC campus, and all campuses they apply to will receive it. Click here for more info.
• CSU: students can list CSUMentor as an SAT score recipient. The SAT institution code for CSUMentor is 3594. CSUMentor will then store your scores for ALL CSU campuses to utilize. Click here for more info.
• NCAA: use the code 9999 to send your scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Test Accommodation Information:

•  If you have a documented disability, you may be eligible for accommodations when you take the SAT and other College Board tests. Some available accommodations are extended time, extra and extended breaks, and reading and seeing accommodations (for example, large-type test books or Braille test books). Important: meet with Ms. Espinoza in the Counseling Office approximately 8 weeks before you take the SAT/PSAT in order to turn in required documentation. Please click here for additional information.

The SAT Subject Tests

Each SAT Subject Test covers a subject you may study in high school or are skilled in based on personal background. Only a limited number of colleges or majors require SAT Subject Tests. For instance, while SAT Subject Tests are not required for UC admission, some campuses recommend that students who are declaring a competitive major (Engineering, Sciences, etc.) take the tests to demonstrate subject proficiency. Click here to learn more.