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Testing Information

ACT

The ACT is an achievement test that focuses on school curriculum-based skills — English, math, reading, and science. The SAT is more of a reasoning test that changes very subtly from one test to the next but still includes math, writing (English grammar), and critical reading; it does not contain a science component.
 
Your Composite score and each test score (English, mathematics, reading, science) range from 1 (low) to 36 (high). The Composite score is the average of your four test scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
 
ACT (no writing)
$60
ACT (with writing)
$85
 

SAT

The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. 

The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.

Overall, the higher you score on the SAT and/or ACT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

 

What is on the SAT?

There are two  SAT sections: 

  • Math
  • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

How long is the SAT?

The SAT is 3 hours long.

How is the SAT scored?

Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. Your total SAT score is the sum of your section scores. The highest possible SAT score is 1600.

 

SAT Pricing $60

 
Four-year universities require either/or the ACT or the SAT.
 
 
 
 
The following schools require the ACT writing portion:
 

Austin College
Baylor University
Dallas Baptist University
Hardin-Simmons University
Howard Payne University
Midwestern State University
Paul Quinn College
Rice University
Schreiner University
St. Edward's University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M at College Station
Texas A&M at Galveston Texas State University
University of Dallas
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
University of St. Thomas
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Dallas (UTD)

 
 

ASVAB

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.
The ASVAB measures aptitude and acquired skills which can be used to help predict future academic and occupational success.
 
Why do schools make you take the ASVAB?
The main purpose of the ASVAB is to help students understand their strengths and weaknesses in many fields of study such as math, science, reading/writing, problem solving, and technology in order to figure out potential careers/job opportunities to focus on.
 
 
 
 
Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)

The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is a series of placement tests for students enrolling in public colleges and universities in Texas. The tests help Texas schools determine whether you’re ready for college-level courses in the areas of reading, writing, and math.

 

TSIA2 standards