Standardized Testing
SAT & Subject Test Information
When should you take SAT exams?
All 11th graders, regardless of the country you plan to do your university studies in, should take one round of the SAT and Subject Tests by June of this year. Admissions officers in the UK and Canada welcome these test results; very often, good SAT scores can influence your acceptance. If you are not happy with your results, you will have the summer to work on any weaknesses, and then may re-take the exams in the fall. Keep in mind that if you are thinking of applying to US colleges under an "early decision/action" program, you may only be able to test in October of 12th grade.
Which exams should you take?
SAT exam - required by most US colleges (cannot be taken at the same time as the Subject Tests).
Subject Tests - with the addition of the Writing test to the SAT exam, some colleges will only require 2 Subject Tests. Others have decided that they will still require 3 Subject Tests. It is important to know the requirements for the colleges you are interested in. Each exam is one hour long - you may take up to three at each administration. Not all the exams are offered at each administration.
The options are:
- Math 1 or Math 2 (many colleges will require a Math Subject Test)
- Literature
- History - either World or US
- Sciences - Biology, Physics, Chemistry
- Languages (reading only) - French, Spanish, German, Italian, Modern Hebrew, Latin
- Languages (reading and listening) - French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese
Keep in mind that some Subjects Tests (esp. the sciences) are better to take in the Fall of 12th grade because you will have covered more material.
Information about the format of each exam is available from the College Board's website, www.collegeboard.com.
How do you register for the test?
The preferred and easiest way to register is at www.collegeboard.com. Don't forget to include our school code: 090226.
How do you send your scores to colleges?
Each time you register for the SAT or Subject Tests, you have the option of sending your scores to some schools without charge. Once you have determined a final list of schools where you will apply, you need to make sure that all of your schools have received both your SAT scores. You can do this online at www.collegeboard.com or call 609/771-7600.
Students who receive accommodations:
If you have a documented learning difference that makes you eligible for accommodations at WIS, you may be eligible for the same accommodations on the SAT exams. The documentation must be current, from the past three years, and have test results to back up the diagnosis. Additionally, a form from the College Board must be completed to get approval for your accommodations. This process can take up to six weeks, so please don't leave it to the last minute. See Mrs. Joos or Mr. Smith about this process.
Financial assistance for SAT registration fees:
Please see Mrs. Joos or Mr. Smith for information regarding fee waivers.
ACT Exam
Most selective universities accept the ACT instead of the SAT I and II tests. The material covered in the ACT differs from the SAT exams, so this exam may better reflect your abilities. For more information about the ACT check out their website www.act.org.
TOEFL Test
Students who have attended schools where instruction hasn't always been in English or whose primary language at home is other than English, may want to consider taking the TOEFL test. This test can be used to counteract a lower than expected verbal score on the SAT exam. Information and registration information is available at www.toefl.org.
Advanced Placement Exams
In May of every year, WIS offers AP exams to interested students, especially those applying to US colleges. In the past, students have taken exams in French, Spanish and economics. If you are particularly strong in these subjects, this additional test can reinforce your aptitude for the material. The results of these tests, if taken in 11th grade, may be used as a part of the admissions process. You must remember to send your AP scores to the schools where you have applied. Additionally, many colleges will grant credit and/or advanced standing for high scores on AP exams. For more information, see your teacher in the subject, Mrs. Joos/Mr. Smith, and checkout the information on the College Board website www.collegeboard.com.
IB Exams
The most important exams of all, your IB exams, will be used and will affect college admissions decisions differently depending on where you have applied. Here's a brief description for the popular destinations.
United States:
American colleges see the predicted IB exam score for you in each subject. What you actually attain on the exam will not matter to the college that you choose. To a certain extent, the grades you receive in the course (and appear on the transcript) and the fact that you are in a very rigorous curriculum is what matters most to US colleges. Once you have matriculated, colleges will vary in how they award credit for your IB exams. The IB website www.ibo.org has a link to colleges IB policies.
UK:
The predicted IB exam score your teachers supply and the actual scores you receive play a large role in your acceptance to a British University. Students receive conditional offers from the universities but a place is not confirmed until the results of the exams are available in July.
Canada:
McGill and Toronto take into account your predicted and actual IB exam results, especially in conjunction with any SAT scores. If you rank above their ranges, you are accepted unconditionally. Otherwise, your acceptance is conditional on the results of your IB exams.
