Testing
ACT Test | Posted 5/21/25
Students take an official ACT test at school one time during the spring semester of their junior year. It is recommended that students register to take the ACT again at a national test center location because according to ACT, it takes students 2-3 times to achieve their testing goals. To view test dates and locations and to register to test, go to www.act.org. For more information from ACT's website about reasons to take the ACT again, go to Retaking the ACT.
Should Students Study for the SAT and PSAT?
The answer is a resounding YES! Students would never consider walking in to a class to take a test and expect to do well without studying. The same goes for standardized testing! Students should spend time every week using Khan Academy to prepare for these standardized tests. Doing a little at a time is much better than cramming all at once. There are study materials in the office for the SAT. These can be checked out from Mrs. Nuzzo in the school library on a first-come, first-served basis. Both Khan Academy and the study books provide full-length practice tests for students. These tests will allow students to see what their current scores would be and what they still need to study to improve their scores.
The SAT and PSAT tests have five sections – English Grammar and Rhetoric, Reading, Math with Calculator, and Math without Calculator. There is also a writing section at the end of the test. The tests are scored by providing an overall score on the English, Reading, and Writing sections called ERW, and the math sections are combined for a math overall score. The scores are added together to figure the overall composite score. The State of Illinois benchmarks are 540 for each section on the SAT. PSAT 9 benchmarks are 410 for ERW and 450 for Math. PSAT 10 benchmarks are 430 for ERW and 480 for Math.
Students wishing to earn scholarship money at the college level for their GPA and SAT test scores will need a minimum SAT overall composite score of at least a 1240. A minimum composite score of 1110 is needed for acceptance to a four-year university. Many universities require a higher score than this, so students will need to research the schools they are interested in to know what minimum score is needed for admission as well as for scholarship money.
What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?
The SAT is comprised of English/Reading/Writing and Math. Each are worth 50% of the test score. There are two ERW sections, one that focuses on grammar and rhetoric, and one that focuses on reading and writing. There are two Math sections, one is without a calculator and one is with a calculator. Both math sections have a series of problems that must be worked outright, with multiple-choice options available for these problems. The writing essay is optional and is scored separately from the rest of the exam. Scores for the SAT range from 400-1600 total, with the ERW and Math worth 200-800 each.
The ACT has four main sections to the test, each accounting for 25% of the overall score. The four sections are: English (grammar), Reading, Math, and Science Reasoning. There is an optional Essay test at the end. The Essay is a separate score from the rest of the test. One main difference between the SAT and ACT is the ACT allows for a calculator on all problems and there are no problems that have to be worked by hand (all are multiple choice). Students who are stronger in Reading than Math tend to score higher on an ACT than an SAT. Students who are more well rounded in their academic knowledge also tend to score higher on an ACT because they can use their science knowledge.
Colleges accept the SAT and ACT equally. Students can take the test repeatedly, with most students taking a standardized test two to three times. Students typically score higher on the second test because they are more familiar with the testing procedures and the test content the second time around. College will only look at the highest overall total score for the standardized test. Some colleges also super score, meaning they will combine section scores of multiple tests to get the highest total composite score.
What if I’m going to Waubonsee or JJC to get into a trade and don’t plan to go to college to earn a degree?
Taking the ACT or SAT is still important for these students. Waubonsee and JJC have certain requirements, particularly reading requirements, in order to earn a certificate in several of their technical trade programs. If a student doesn’t have a certain ACT or SAT score, the student will need to take a placement exam to qualify for admission into the program. Programs at WCC that require a certain reading score:
Kaplan's PSAT prep brings students live, interactive lessons on the key topics for the exam right before test day. Students can sign up for an all-access pass and then start studying with free quizzes, prep plan, and practice test. Stream must-know math, reading, and writing strategies. Save your seat here: https://www.kaptest.com/
Math SAT Practice Website Links
Juniors, here are some practice items for the math portion of the SAT. Please feel free to use the resources below to help you get ready for the test:
https://www.varsitytutors.com/sat-questions-of-the-day
https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-practice
https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-of-free-sat-math-practice
https://www.freesatmath.com/
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/math/calculator-permitted/1
https://www.khanacademy.org/coach/dashboard
PSAT
Why take the PSAT?
There are actually TWO reasons.
Students take an official ACT test at school one time during the spring semester of their junior year. It is recommended that students register to take the ACT again at a national test center location because according to ACT, it takes students 2-3 times to achieve their testing goals. To view test dates and locations and to register to test, go to www.act.org. For more information from ACT's website about reasons to take the ACT again, go to Retaking the ACT.
| Test Date | Regular Registration Deadline (Late Fee Applies After This Date) |
| September 6, 2025 | August 1 |
| October 18, 2025 | September 12 |
| December 13, 2025 | November 7 |
| February 14, 2026 | January 7 |
| April 11, 2026 | March 6 |
| June 13, 2026 | May 8 |
| July 11, 2026 | June 5 |
Should Students Study for the SAT and PSAT?
The answer is a resounding YES! Students would never consider walking in to a class to take a test and expect to do well without studying. The same goes for standardized testing! Students should spend time every week using Khan Academy to prepare for these standardized tests. Doing a little at a time is much better than cramming all at once. There are study materials in the office for the SAT. These can be checked out from Mrs. Nuzzo in the school library on a first-come, first-served basis. Both Khan Academy and the study books provide full-length practice tests for students. These tests will allow students to see what their current scores would be and what they still need to study to improve their scores.
The SAT and PSAT tests have five sections – English Grammar and Rhetoric, Reading, Math with Calculator, and Math without Calculator. There is also a writing section at the end of the test. The tests are scored by providing an overall score on the English, Reading, and Writing sections called ERW, and the math sections are combined for a math overall score. The scores are added together to figure the overall composite score. The State of Illinois benchmarks are 540 for each section on the SAT. PSAT 9 benchmarks are 410 for ERW and 450 for Math. PSAT 10 benchmarks are 430 for ERW and 480 for Math.
Students wishing to earn scholarship money at the college level for their GPA and SAT test scores will need a minimum SAT overall composite score of at least a 1240. A minimum composite score of 1110 is needed for acceptance to a four-year university. Many universities require a higher score than this, so students will need to research the schools they are interested in to know what minimum score is needed for admission as well as for scholarship money.
What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?
The SAT is comprised of English/Reading/Writing and Math. Each are worth 50% of the test score. There are two ERW sections, one that focuses on grammar and rhetoric, and one that focuses on reading and writing. There are two Math sections, one is without a calculator and one is with a calculator. Both math sections have a series of problems that must be worked outright, with multiple-choice options available for these problems. The writing essay is optional and is scored separately from the rest of the exam. Scores for the SAT range from 400-1600 total, with the ERW and Math worth 200-800 each.
The ACT has four main sections to the test, each accounting for 25% of the overall score. The four sections are: English (grammar), Reading, Math, and Science Reasoning. There is an optional Essay test at the end. The Essay is a separate score from the rest of the test. One main difference between the SAT and ACT is the ACT allows for a calculator on all problems and there are no problems that have to be worked by hand (all are multiple choice). Students who are stronger in Reading than Math tend to score higher on an ACT than an SAT. Students who are more well rounded in their academic knowledge also tend to score higher on an ACT because they can use their science knowledge.
Colleges accept the SAT and ACT equally. Students can take the test repeatedly, with most students taking a standardized test two to three times. Students typically score higher on the second test because they are more familiar with the testing procedures and the test content the second time around. College will only look at the highest overall total score for the standardized test. Some colleges also super score, meaning they will combine section scores of multiple tests to get the highest total composite score.
What if I’m going to Waubonsee or JJC to get into a trade and don’t plan to go to college to earn a degree?
Taking the ACT or SAT is still important for these students. Waubonsee and JJC have certain requirements, particularly reading requirements, in order to earn a certificate in several of their technical trade programs. If a student doesn’t have a certain ACT or SAT score, the student will need to take a placement exam to qualify for admission into the program. Programs at WCC that require a certain reading score:
- Basic Auto Body Repair
- Advanced Auto Body Repair
- Basic Nurse Assistant Training
- Emergency Medical Tech-Basic
- Emergency Med Tech-Paramedic
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Operating Room Patient Care Tech
Kaplan's PSAT prep brings students live, interactive lessons on the key topics for the exam right before test day. Students can sign up for an all-access pass and then start studying with free quizzes, prep plan, and practice test. Stream must-know math, reading, and writing strategies. Save your seat here: https://www.kaptest.com/
Math SAT Practice Website Links
Juniors, here are some practice items for the math portion of the SAT. Please feel free to use the resources below to help you get ready for the test:
https://www.varsitytutors.com/sat-questions-of-the-day
https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-practice
https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-of-free-sat-math-practice
https://www.freesatmath.com/
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/math/calculator-permitted/1
https://www.khanacademy.org/coach/dashboard
PSAT
Why take the PSAT?
There are actually TWO reasons.
- While most colleges now accept the ACT as well as the SAT, some coastal colleges still require the SAT. The PSAT is a practice SAT and provides those students who plan to take the SAT with a practice score. It gives a list of strengths and weaknesses so students know what areas need improvement before taking the actual SAT. The SAT is also a very different type of test, so students who familiarize themselves with the format by taking the PSAT usually score better on the SAT.
- All students who take the PSAT automatically qualify for consideration in the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The score on the PSAT puts students in the pool as a National Merit qualifier. Scores are first looked at to determine which students are qualifiers, then semi-finalists are chosen. From this group, the actual finalists for the National Merit Award are chosen. Students who qualify as a National Merit Semi-Finalist or Finalist are usually entitled to an increased scholarship award of $1,000-$2,000 above what they would normally receive at the university level. Sometimes there are scholarships reserved specifically for National Merit Qualifiers, Semi-Finalists, and Finalists. Many times these awards are also renewable for up to four years if the student maintains a certain GPA. Other awards may also be bestowed upon the student at the university level, such as receiving admission into an honors program based on National Merit status.
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