College Entrance Examinations
The vast majority of colleges require that a student take one or more standardized tests for admission. The number depends on the college's policy. It is important to remember that test scores are just one part of the total applicant profile. At most institutions, test scores alone do not exclude a student from admission, nor do scores alone guarantee admission. The two most common test programs are the SAT and the ACT. Most students take the SAT. Consult with your counselor regarding the ACT. Also available is the Preliminary SAT (PSAT). Colleges may also require or recommend SAT Subject tests. SAT Subject tests are one hour for each subject area. You may take one to three tests on any given test date. It is the student’s responsibility to register for all tests and to arrange for the results to be sent to the institution(s) of choice. The following tables provide a description of each standardized test and the recommended time in which to take the test.
Standardized College Admission Tests
PSAT
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. The PSAT/NMSQT measures: critical reading skills; math problem-solving skills; and writing skills.
- The critical reading section measures knowledge of the meanings of words, the ability to understand how the different parts of a sentence logically fit together and the ability to read and think carefully about a single reading passage or a pair of related passages.
- The mathematics section requires a basic knowledge of number and operation; algebra and functions; geometry and measurement; and data analysis, statistics, and probability.
- The writing skills section measures the ability to express ideas effectively in standard-written English, to recognize faults in usage and structure, and to use language with sensitivity to meaning.
Course Work Preparation*
- Taking the most challenging courses students can handle
- Reading widely
- Writing frequently
- Studying hard
- Involvement in problem-solving activities through clubs, sports, hobbies, part-time jobs, etc.
When to take:
Fall of freshman, Spring of sophomore and/or Fall of junior year
Only junior year scores are used for NMSC consideration
SAT
The SAT is a college admission test that asks the student to apply a deep understanding of the knowledge and skills most important for college and career readiness and success. The test is composed of three sections: Evidence-Based Reading Test; Writing and Language Test; and a Mathematics Test. There is also an optional Essay.
- The Reading Test measures comprehension and reasoning skills with a focus on careful reading of appropriately challenging passages in a wide array of subject areas.
- The Writing and Language Test assesses skills in revising and editing a range of texts in a variety of subject areas to improve expression of ideas and to correct errors in grammar, usage, and punctuation.
- The Math Test measures the ability to problem solve and uses appropriate approaches and tools strategically. It measures math skills across four areas: Heart of Algebra; Problem Solving and Data Analysis; Passport to Advanced Math; and additional Topics in Math (covering relevant concepts learned in high school math, such as the Pythagorean Theorem).
- The Essay (optional) measures the ability to read and analyze an argument and write an effective response.
Course Work Preparation*
- Taking the most challenging courses students can handle
- Reading widely
- Writing frequently
- Studying hard
- Involvement in problem-solving activities through clubs, sports, hobbies, part-time jobs, etc.
When to take:
Spring of junior year
Fall of senior year
ACT
The ACT is curriculum based. The questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses. The test is comprised of four sections: English Test; Mathematics Test; Reading Test; and the Science Test. There is also an optional Writing Test.
- The English Test measures standard written English (punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure) and rhetorical skills (strategy, organization, and style).
- The Mathematics Test measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
- The Reading Test measures reading comprehension
- The Science Test measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
- The Writing Test (optional) measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition.
Course Work Preparation*
- For English: course content that includes punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style
- For Mathematics: course content that includes pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry
- For Reading: course content based on four types of reading selections: the social studies, the natural sciences, prose fiction, and the humanities
- For Science: courses in biology, chemistry, physics, the Earth/space sciences; emphasized are scientific reasoning skills
- For Writing: courses that develop writing skills
When to take:
Spring of junior year
Fall of senior year
*Descriptions are obtained from the CollegeBoard and ACT websites
SAT Subject Tests
Literature
- Assesses how well the student has learned to read and interpret literature
- Covers poetry, prose, and drama in English and American literature from the Renaissance to the present
Course Work Preparation*
- Three or four years of college-preparatory (academic) literary study
When to take:
Best results if taken after AP Language and Composition and during AP Literature; could be taken after 11th grade Honors English or during 12th grade Honors English
United States History
- Assesses knowledge of and ability to use material commonly taught in US History and social studies courses in high school
- Covers political, economic, social, intellectual and cultural history as well as foreign policy from Pre-Columbian history to the present
Course Work Preparation*
- One year college-preparatory (academic) US history course
When to take:
Best results if taken after AP US History II, but could be taken after Honors US History II
World History
- Assesses understanding of key developments in global history, the application and weighing of evidence, and the ability to interpret and generalize
- Covers the development of major world cultures, from ancient times to the present, in all historical fields: political and diplomatic, intellectual and cultural, and social and economic
Course Work Preparation*
- One year college-preparatory (academic) world history course
When to take:
Best results if taken after Honors World Civilization II or during AP European History
Mathematics Level 1
- Assesses mathematics knowledge through the first three years of college-preparatory (academic) mathematics course work
Course Work Preparation*
- Three years college-preparatory (academic) mathematics
- Two years algebra
- One year geometry
When to take:
Best results after taking Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra
Mathematics Level 2
- Assesses mathematics knowledge through the first three years of college-preparatory (academic) mathematics course work and Precalculus
Course Work Preparation*
- More than three years college-preparatory (academic) mathematics
- Two years algebra
- One year geometry
- Elementary functions (Precalculus) and/or trigonometry
When to take:
Best results after taking Precalculus
Biology (Ecological/Molecular)
- Assesses understanding of general biology
- Covers knowledge of fundamental concepts, application and interpretation skills
- Biology E focuses on biological communities, populations and energy flow
- Biology M focuses on biochemistry, cellular structure and processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis
Course Work Preparation*
- One year college-preparatory (academic) course in biology
- One year course in algebra and familiarity with simple algebraic concepts such as ratios, and direct and inverse proportions
- Laboratory experience is helpful
When to take:
Best results if taken after AP Biology, but good results if taken after Honors Biology
Chemistry
- Covers the major concepts of chemistry and the ability to apply these concepts in problem-solving scenarios
- Requires the ability to organize and interpret results obtained by observation and experimentation
Course Work Preparation*
- One year college-preparatory (academic) course in chemistry
- Familiarity with simple algebraic relationships and applying these to solving word problems
- Familiarity with concepts of ratio, and direct and inverse proportions, exponents, and scientific notation
- Laboratory experience is helpful
When to take:
Best results if taken after AP Chemistry, but good results if taken after Honors Chemistry
Physics
- Assesses the understanding of the major concepts of physics and the ability to apply physical principles to solve specific problems
Course Work Preparation*
- One year college-preparatory (academic) course in physics
- Familiarity with simple algebraic trigonometric and graphical relationships, as well as the concepts of ratio and proportion, and the ability to apply these to physics problems
- Laboratory experience is helpful
When to take:
Best results if taken after AP Physics 2, but good results if taken after AP Physics C. Can also be taken after Honors Physics
Languages (Reading only): French, German, Italian, Latin, Modern Hebrew, Spanish
Languages with Listening: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish
- Assesses the ability to read by testing vocabulary use, language structure and comprehension of a variety of texts
- Listening tests assess listening comprehension
Course Work Preparation*
- Two to four years of study in high school or the equivalent, or two years of strong preparation
When to take:
Best results if taken during (Language) levels V-A, IV-H or AP
For Modern Hebrew, Japanese, or Korean: take if studied extensively outside of BRHS
*Descriptions are obtained from the CollegeBoard website