Mrs. Joanne Lewis
Director, College & Career Center
310-378-8471 Ext. 43618
[email protected]
Mrs. Teresa Hoffman
Scholarship & Financial Aid Coordinator
310-378-8471 Ext. 43347
[email protected]
The SAT or ACT: To Test or Not to Test…
PSAT/NMSQT - October 23, 2024
This year Palos Verdes High School will offer the PSAT/NMSQT Exam to our 11th grade students in October. Palos Verdes High School is partnering with the PVPUSD to offer the PSAT/NMSQT to all Juniors at no cost. NO REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY as the entire class is registered by our school. The PSAT/NMSQT can qualify Juniors for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship program and the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Students who achieve top scores may receive recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. NMSC compares PSAT scores with those of other students in your state using its own Selection Index. The top 3-4% of scorers are named Commended Scholar. The top 1%, usually about 16,000 students, are named National Merit Semifinalists.
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) is structured similarly to the SAT®, has the same sections and timing, and measures the same Reading and Writing and Math skills students learn in the classroom. While the PSAT/NMSQT is not an exam that is required for any college, this exam provides parents and their students grade-level benchmarks that indicate whether students are on track for college and career readiness.
ALL CURRENT JUNIORS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED; students are not REQUIRED to take this practice exam and may opt out if they wish. Parent/Guardian wishing to opt their student out of the PSAT/NMSQT should email Assoc. Principal Dr. Kyle Garrity confirming their student will not test, but will attend the Adjusted A Day beginning 11:30am.
All students opting to test are required to report to campus and check in at their assigned classroom no later than 8:15am on October 23rd. There will be NO TIME to spare on October 23; the PSAT/NMSQT testing begins promptly @ 8:30am SHARP! There is NO LATE SEATING for this exam.
Students must arrive on campus by 8:15am with approved calculators and go directly to their assigned room. Please check the approved calculator list before testing! Students are allowed to use a calculator on all questions in the Math section. The digital test platform itself has a built-in graphing calculator that students may use, if they wish, or a student can use their own approved calculator.
College Admission Testing
Each student's testing journey is different! Please consult with your counselor and the PVHSCCC to create a testing timeline that best sets you up for success and for your college goals.
SAT
SAT: What is the SAT?
SAT Test Dates
SAT Registration
ACT
ACT: What is the ACT?
ACT Test Dates
ACT Registration
What is a typical testing timeline?
Remember, each student's testing plan will differ, there is no one size fits all! That's okay! PVHS students will have the opportunity to take a practice Digital PSAT in fall of their 10th grade, and the PSAT/NMSQT in fall of 11th grade. These exams are preliminary and help track progress, college readiness, and are a helpful practice point. Keep in mind, as you grow in your classes and have more academic content under your belt, your scores will improve as well! There will be opportunities for FREE full-length practice tests provided for our sophomores and juniors during both the fall and spring semesters.
After juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October and receive their PSAT results, we recommend taking a practice ACT to get a sense of which exam is strongest/best for the student. Once a student decides on an exam, it’s a good idea to register for an official exam in the spring of junior year. Taking one official exam allows students to see how they do on an official college entrance exam and can help them decide to pursue testing or not.
PLEASE NOTE: THE ACT IS CHANGING! Changes will primarily impact the class of 2027, though they may affect some students in the class of 2026. Please see more detailed info HERE!
Students typically take an official exam (either SAT or ACT - colleges will consider BOTH and have NO preference over which exam, really!!) in the spring of junior year and can retake the exam if needed. Retaking the exam (2 to really max 3 times) is appropriate. Students will be able to send their highest score to colleges accepting test scores. Some colleges that allow super scoring will take the highest subsection of scores across test dates and will take the highest combined scores. Not all colleges do this, and not all colleges are accepting testing. It is up to the student to review testing policies of the colleges they're interested in applying to, to make the best decision on when/how to test. Counselors and the PVHSCCC are here to help you! Ask! Also don't hesitate to call a college admission office and gain some insight to their most recent testing policies and what's best.
When is the latest I can test?
Students can test up until fall of their senior year. If you are applying early to colleges, you will want to test before October. If you are applying regular decision you can test sometimes up to December. Again, it will depend on the colleges to which a student applies, so do not wait to create a testing plan.
How do I decide which exam to take? SAT or ACT?
Colleges will accept both and there is no preference. Take a practice exam of both (by fall/early spring of your junior year) and decide which exam FEELS better and which one you test stronger in. Then look at registration testing dates and register for an official exam.
Test structure - The NEW Digital SAT Test (March 2024) - SAT - Score of 400 - 1600
Format: Two-stage adaptive test design; one Reading and Writing section administered via two
separately timed modules. one Math section administered via two separately timed modules
Total number of questions: Reading and Writing = 54 questions / Math = 44 questions
Total time allotted: Reading and Writing = 64 minutes / Math = 70 minutes
Sample questions for the digital SAT are available in the Digital SAT Sample Questions and
Answer Explanations document online.
ACT - Score of 1 - 36
Do all colleges require SAT/ACT?
No. Many colleges are test optional or do not require testing at all as a part of their admission review.
NOTE: The UC and CSU system DO NOT require testing as a part of their review process for admission. Your score will not be seen or reviewed in admission decisions.
If a college is test optional, it is up to you as the student (with help from your counselor, the PVHSCCC and college admission counselors for guidance) to decide if your score will be an added value to your application and if it is appropriate to send it. Look at testing averages from past admitted applicants on each college your considering and see if your score falls within the ranges and will be helpful to your application. Each college is different so do check!
Remember, grades, GPA, and your academic schedule is important!!
Testing is ONE component of your college application. It can be an added value to showcase your academic strengths and potential for success in college. Your day in day out course work and effort in your classes are the biggest component of the academic review in an application. Not JUST your GPA, but how you've grown over time, consistency or growth in grades, adding honors/AP/advanced coursework in academic areas of strength, etc. Take the time to do well in classes.
How do I study/prepare for the exam?
Remember, every student is different, so just as you prepare and study for a final, you will have different study strategies that work best for YOU. There is no quick fix or one size fits all to guarantee a score! Consistent studying is best (think about 2-3 months of consistent studying leading up to the official exam). Consistent studying can be logging online once a week and adding practice exams along the way, it can be with a tutor one on one, in groups, an online course, etc. There are many options. We offer free practice exams at at PVHS; dates/times will be advised and posted on our website.
TEST PREPARATION
We do not endorse one company over another. If you are interested in receiving test preparation from any test prep company, we strongly suggest that you ask for references.
Test optional: National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest) at www.fairtest.org
FREE SAT Kahn Academy Test Prep
FREE ACT Kaplan Test Prep
FREE ACT Test Prep
Compass Education Group - in person or online exams:
Schedule an online exam, or an in-person exam to practice testing in a real testing environment
More information and scheduling options here