General Testing Information

PSAT/NMSQT

The preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is used to determine preliminary eligibility for juniors in the National Merit Scholars competition. Students who become National Merit Finalists may win scholarships.

The PSAT is also beneficial for assessing your ability to do college work and becoming familiar with the format of the SAT.


ASVAB

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is offered for free to any high school junior or senior. The test identifies your aptitude for both military and non-military careers as well as possible college majors.


Student Timelines

SOPHOMORES

PSAT - October
SAT II - take in June for any subjects just completed (U.S. history, chemistry, biology, etc.) if U.C. or competitive college bound.

JUNIORS

ASVAB - Check with Heidi Leonard in Career Center for date.
PSAT - in October
SAT I or ACT - May or June
SAT II - June

SENIORS

ASVAB - Check with Heidi Leonard in Career Center for date.
SAT I or ACT - in October, November or December (no later), if still needed.
SAT II - in October, November or December (no later), if still needed.
NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to request that the testing organization send a copy of SAT I, ACT or SAT II scores directly to college(s) at appropriate times.

Requirements for College Admission

System Tests
Community Colleges None (SAT I or ACT) (recommended for transfer students)
California State Universities SAT I or ACT
University of California SAT I or ACT 3 SAT II tests:
  • Writing
  • Math
  • Elective
At date of publication, the UC system is evaluating whether or not to use the SAT as an admissions tool.
Independent Colleges and Universities Usually SAT I or ACT See Counseling Office or Career Center or Internet for specific requirements


COMPARATIVE FEATURES OF THE ACT AND SAT

Which test should I take???

AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST (ACT)

Testing Time: 3 1/4 hours approximately

Test Purpose: Designed to measure academic achievement in four major curricular areas of secondary and post-secondary instructional programs. These four areas include: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning.

SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST (SAT)

Testing Time: 3 1/2 hours approximately

Test Purpose: Designed to measure academic aptitude in terms of verbal and mathematical reasoning.

TEST CONTENT

ENGLISH
  • Usage/Mechanics
  • Rhetorical Skills
MATHEMATICS
  • Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra
  • Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry
  • Plane Geometry/Trigonometry
READING
  • Arts/Literature
  • Social Studies/Sciences
SCIENCE REASONING
  • Data Representation
  • Research Summaries
  • Conflicting Viewpoints
Composite Scores Range from 1-36

TEST CONTENT

VERBAL REASONING
  • Sentence Completions
  • Analogies
  • Critical Reading
    *in Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science and Narrative (Fiction/Non-Fiction)
MATHEMATICAL REASONING
  • Algebra
  • Arithmetic
  • Geometry
  • Other topics (e.g. logic, operations, etc.)
Composite Scores: Range from 400 - 1600
© 2001 Newport Harbor High School