Admissions Tests

About Admissions Tests

Most colleges and universities require students to submit their scores from standardized tests as part of the admissions process. Along with a student’s GPA and the personal essay, these test results are one of the major factors that colleges consider when deciding admissions.  For this reason, it is essential that students stay on top of admissions tests dates and deadlines. The College Advisor will help to ensure that students take and are prepared for all tests required by the colleges they wish to attend.

Test Descriptions

1. PSAT/NMSQT
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
Scores from the students’ junior year are used for National Merit Scholarship Qualification (NMSQT).  The PSAT score is also used as a predictor of how a student will score on the SAT and helps to identify areas where the most preparation is needed. These scores are not sent to colleges.

All students in their junior year at CAT will take the PSAT at school in October.

2. SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT is a globally recognized standardized test for college admission.  The SAT is required for freshmen entry by many, but not all, colleges and universities. It tests knowledge of reading, writing and math and takes approximately 4 hours.  For more information about the SAT, go to http://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat

Click here for current SAT testing dates and more information on how to register to take the SAT.

3. SAT Subject Tests

These are one-hour tests measuring your knowledge of specific subject areas such as languages, math, sciences, and history. Students choose which tests to take. Some selective colleges require two (sometimes three) SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT Reasoning Test. These tests can be taken at any time during one’s high school career. A maximum of three tests can be taken at one sitting, but we recommend that students only take one or two at a time.For more information about the subject tests, go to http://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat-subject-tests

4. ACT
An achievement-based test, the ACT is a popular alternative to the SAT and some students do better on this test. All colleges will accept either the ACT or the SAT Reasoning Test.  In addition, some colleges which require the SAT Subject Tests may accept the ACT instead.

Click here for current ACT testing dates and more information on how to register to take the ACT.