COLLEGE BOUND TESTING PROGRAM: 4-year Universities and Community Colleges
Soquel PSAT HS Code # - 053398
Soquel HS SAT Test Center # 05-804 website: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-dates
Soquel HS ACT Test Center # - 208210 website: http://www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html
The
cost for the SAT test is $50 (Fee waivers are available to students on
the free and reduced rate lunch program). College Board also offers SAT
Subject Tests. The costs for ACT tests are: ACT No Writing $35; ACT Plus
Writing $50.
PSAT: The PSAT/National Merit Scholarship
Qualifying Test measures verbal and math reasoning abilities important
for academic performance in college. It assesses ability to reason with
facts and concepts rather than the ability to recall and recite them.
The PSAT includes two verbal sections, two math sections and a writing
skills section. This 2-hr + 10-min exam is given only once each year in
October and is most often taken by juniors although 10th graders who
completed geometry may choose to take the PSAT for practice.
The PSAT is not a required exam and is not used as part of the college
admission process. However, it is very beneficial as a preview of the
SAT I and as predictor of possible SAT scores. More importantly for
juniors, exceptionally scores may qualify the student for a National
Merit Scholarship. Registration for the PSAT is handled in the Soquel HS
Finance Office where the test fee is paid and the study guide is
distributed.
SAT I: Reasoning Test is an
entrance exam required by most 4-year colleges. The 3-hr test that
measures verbal and math abilities is administered at Soquel HS Test
Center (Center #05-804) on 5 identified Saturday mornings throughout the
year for a fee. Aptos HS Test Center is a good second choice site. Most
students take the SAT I twice, as juniors in May or June and then again
as seniors in October. Colleges will use the highest score for
admissions. The informative registration booklet and helpful study guide
are available in the Counseling Office. The University of California
and many private colleges also required the SATII for admissions.
SAT II:
Subject Tests are required in addition to the SAT I 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
The UC system and most of the other campuses require 3 tests. Writing
and one of three choices of math must be taken in addition to one
elective choice from literature, two areas of history, three sciences or
eight world languages. Be sure to check the particular college catalog
for specifics.
The registration process, test sites, etc. for
the Subject Tests are the same as the SAT I. You may not take the SAT I
and SAT II on the same day; however, you may take one, two or three SAT
II 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., Biology) or at
the end of a sequence of classes (e.g., Spanish 1,2, 3, test). Most
students take two or three subject tests at a time, usually in June of
their junior year and again in November or December of the senior year
for most college admissions.
ACT: The American
College Test, ACT, is very similar to the SAT I and may be used by most
colleges instead of the SAT I. In fact, a few campuses prefer the ACT
so be sure to check the particular college catalog. The ACT reports
scores in English, math, reading, and science reasoning. The ACT is
administered at the Soquel HS Test Center (Center #208210) on 5 Saturday
mornings throughout the year for a fee. The registration form and study
guide are available in the Counseling Office.
Advanced Placement Tests:
Soquel HS currently offers the following Advanced Placement classes: AP
English Literature, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP US
History, AP European History and AP Spanish. Advanced Placement
examinations are administered during January and May on campus, although
you are not required to take the AP exam as part of your enrollment in
these classes. If you score 3 or better on the test, you may earn
college credit. Your AP teacher or counselor can give you more details.
CSU:
English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM).
After being admitted but prior to enrollment at any CSU campus, students
are required to take the EPT and ELM unless otherwise exempt by means
of previous test scores such as the SAT or ACT. The EPT and ELM are used
for placement, to determine eligibility in specific courses. Test
registration information and details about the actual tests are sent to
newly admitted students by CSU with possible test dates. The test sites
are the 23 CSU campuses. These tests may be taken only once. Students
select the closest campus to their home rather than the campus they plan
to attend. For example, SHS students can choose either San Jose State
or CSU-Monterey Bay even if they plan to attend San Diego State.
UC:
Subject A Examination. Students admitted to the UC system are required
to take a writing competency exam unless otherwise exempt due to test
scores on the SAT II Writing or AP English Exam. In early spring UC will
mail each student a very detailed information booklet regarding the
Subject A exam (locations, date, test format, sample topics). This test
can be taken only once and is usually scheduled in early May. Students
unable to take this test or not passing the test will be required to
enroll in a writing course the first semester on the UC campus.
TOEFL:
The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is required by
colleges as part of the admissions process of students who have not
completed at least 3 years of high school in an English speaking
country. It is used to determine the English proficiency of students
whose native language is not English. Information is available in the
Counseling Office.
Assessment Tests: Students
planning to attend Cabrillo College concurrently while still in high
school or after graduation as a full or part-time student need to take
Cabrillo's assessment tests.
- enrolling in an English or math class for the first time
- enrolling in more than 6 units needed to meet a course prerequisite
The assessment tests evaluate basic skills in math, English, and
reading to assist students in choosing appropriate level classes. The
tests include an objective reading test, a written essay and a choice of
three levels of math, The tests, campus orientation and advisement
program usually takes 4 hours. Students can make an assessment
appointment by calling the Cabrillo Assessment Office at 479-6267.
Students are encouraged to take an English class as well as a math
class during the senior year in an effort to better prepare for or
review for this assessment process. If this is not possible, the
assessment test should be taken after completion of the last class in
that subject area. Assessment results are honored for 2 years. Sample
tests are available at Cabrillo's Assessment Center or SHS Counseling
Office. Early Assessment for Cabrillo is held at SHS in March.