Most students take the PSAT at their high school in the fall of their sophomore or junior year. The PSAT won't count towards your college admissions applications, but it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship . ... Use the PSAT as practice for the SAT and ACT and an important guidepost on your college admissions journey.

(Next date will be in October 2023)

Sign in to View Scores

Practice PSAT HERE

CAASPP ONLINE PRACTICE AND TRAINING TESTS PORTAL

WHAT DOES YOUR TEST SCORES MEAN? SHOULD YOU USE THEM IN APP?

• List of Test Optional and Test Free Colleges

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the  College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations. 

College Board- Discover AP

AP Credit Policy Search

AP - What is AP?

Build Your AP Program

SAT TESTING INFORMATION AND DATES

**Students applying to UCs, CSUs and DVC will NOT be needing the SAT/ACT tests**

If you are planning to apply to many others, such as out of state schools and some very selective private in-state or out-of-state schools, then you SHOULD CHECK the college's first year eligibility info to determine if they are taking these scores. While many schools still remain test optional, some highly selective ones like MIT, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown have returned to requiring the SAT/ACT.
 

2024-2025 School Year Test Dates

ABOUT SAT AND ACT

SAT & ACT (& SUBJECT) TESTS:  Most 4-year colleges require that students submit scores for an official ACT or SAT test as part of their application requirements. 

• Typically, most 4 year college bound juniors will begin taking the SAT or ACT in winter or spring of their junior year. We recommend that students consider taking the essay portion during each sitting as some colleges require it.   (UC's do, CSU's don't).   

Subject Tests:  Cancelled along with the optional Essay.

While juniors typically take these tests in the spring of their junior year, many seniors will test in the early fall of their senior year as well, to attempt to improve their scores. See each of the websites below for a list of testing dates and to register for the tests. Test sites do fill up so register early for closer location options. 

To register for the ACT, SAT/Subject tests or get more testing information, go to:

• ACT

• SAT

Some schools do not require pre-college testing. To learn more go to Fair Test.org

ALL UCs and CSUs have eliminated testing scores in their applications, Many other college admissions are also "test optional"! Thoroughly read each website's admissions policies so you are informed of what is necessary to be considered for admission to each school.

Khan Academy FREE SAT Prep

SAT Test Preps

Princeton Review- Free SAT Practice Test

ACT Test Preps

Difference between SAT and PSAT (YouTube video)

SAT vs ACT: The differences, the timelines, and the expectations of colleges (YouTube video)

SAT and ACT Comparison Chart