College Testing Dates

For more information on each of the college entrance exams,  see the College Admission Tests page.

ACT Exam
The ACT is very similar to the SAT Reasoning Test and may be used at many colleges instead of the SAT Reasoning Test. Be sure to check the particular college website. The ACT reports scores in English, math, reading, and science reasoning. The ACT is administered at the Soquel HS Test Center (Center #208210) on Saturday mornings throughout the year for a fee. Please go to actstudent.org for more information and to register for the exam.

SAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is an entrance exam required by most 4-year colleges. The test measures reading, writing, and math abilities and is administered at Soquel HS Test Center (Center #05-804) on 5 identified Saturday mornings throughout the year for a fee. Most students take the SAT Reasoning Test twice, as juniors in May or June and then again as seniors in October. Most colleges will use the highest score for admissions. Go to collegeboard.com for more information and to register for the exam.

*There are online and late registration dates as well as change dates listed on the College Board site.


SAT Subject Tests
The SAT Subject Tests (in two different areas) are required in addition to the SAT Reasoning Test by UC, some out-of-state and many private colleges as part of the admissions process as well as for placement purposes. Each 1-hr exam measures your knowledge of a particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge. Be sure to check specific college websites for entrance requirements.

The registration process, test sites, etc. for the Subject Tests are the same as the SAT Reasoning Test. (See table above for dates and registration info.) You may not take the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests on the same day; however, you may take one, two or three SAT Subject Tests on the same day. Each test is one hour during a possible 3-hr testing session. The best time to take a Subject Test is either after completion of the particular course (e.g., Advanced Placement courses). Most students take two or three subject tests at a time, usually in June of their junior year and again in October or November of the senior year for most college admissions.


AP Exams
Soquel HS offers several Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and AP examinations are administered during May on campus. Students will register and pay the exam fee at Soquel High School. It is expected that all students enrolled in an AP course will take the corresponding AP Exam. By law all UCs and CSUs must grant some type of college credit for a score of 3 or higher; many private and out-of-state public universities provide some type of credit as well.