Colleges require a standardized test score as part of their application process, which can be fulfilled by either the SAT or ACT. We encourage students to take the SAT because the PSAT prepares them for it. Find information about the SAT vs. the ACT, how to register, prep, test optional schools, and more below!
SAT vs. ACT
Be sure to register before the registration deadline to avoid a late fee!
SAT Registration
Sign up to take the SAT once or twice your junior year and once your senior year (early in the fall). Many colleges will "superscore" your results if you take the test more than once, meaning they combine your best score from each section of the test, giving you the highest possible score. Create an account (if you don't have one already) or log on and register for the SAT at the College Board.
When registering for the SAT you’ll be asked for:
Your full legal name as it appears on your photo ID, date of birth, sex, mailing address, current grade level.
Your high school code. Little Flower's High School Code is 393380 or find it at collegeboard.org/sat-codes.
An acceptable photo of yourself that looks like the photo on your ID.
The test type, test date, and test center you’re choosing. Find test centers here. There's a fee to change test dates or locations after registering!
Payment information or a fee waiver. (See if you're eligible for an SAT fee waiver. If you think you are, ask for one from the guidance office.)
It will ask you if you'd like to send your test scores to 4 colleges for free. DO THIS! It saves you money and colleges will look at your highest score anyway.
Your SAT admission ticket: Once you’ve registered for the SAT or Subject Tests, you’ll be issued an admission ticket. You receive an online version of your admission ticket that youmust print and bring with you on test day. You can go back online to print the ticket at any time before the test.
What to bring on test day:
Printed admission ticket
Acceptable photo ID
Two No. 2 pencils with soft erasers
An approved calculator for math sections/tests that permit them
Be sure to study for the SAT just like any other test. You can get FREE quality SAT prep on Khan Academy. Link your College Board account to your Khan Academy account in order to receive personalized prep based on your PSAT scores. To do so, log onto the College Board and view your PSAT scores. Then click the orange arrow next to “SAT practice on Khan Academy” (see picture below).
You can also get SAT Prep on your phone to have daily prep on the go. Check out these apps:
1. SAT QOTD (Question of the Day)- The College Board- The official question from College Board, it’s a guaranteed accurate source. 2. SAT UP - Score Beyond - This application lets you take mini tests and times you! 3. SAT Flashcards - Brainscape Education - Contains a lengthy list of words and provides the user an option to “star” tougher words so that the user can come back to them for more practice. 4. Flashcubes - Kaplan SAT - The cube provides sentences that use vocabulary correctly, as well as synonyms. 5. SAT Vocab - Veritas Prep - The application has a number of games that help sharpen your vocabulary and you can challenge your friends to play against you.
Tips
The test no longer penalizes students for guessing, so every question should be answered.
It is often helpful to go through the questions that you know you can answer and come back to the ones you are having trouble with. By working in waves like this, you avoid the risk of missing questions that you could have gotten correct because you ran out of time.
Act Registration
Sign up to take the ACT once or twice your junior year and once your senior year (early in the fall). Most colleges will "superscore" your results if you take the test more than once, meaning they combine your best score from each section of the test, giving you the highest possible score. Create an account and register for the ACT online.
When registering for the ACT you’ll be asked for:
A test date and location.
Information that will be visualized on your score report to help you to explore possible careers that align with your stated interests.
Credit Card or other form of payment (fee wavier).
An acceptable photo of yourself that looks like the photo on your ID. (Now or anytime before the photo deadline)
ACT Prep
Study for the ACT at ACT Academy online. Through video lessons, interactive practice questions, full-length practice tests, educational games, and other materials targeted to your academic needs. ACT Academy provides you with a personalized study plan based on your previous scores from The ACT test, official ACT practice tests, or in platform diagnostics.