College Admissions Testing
The PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT
Students applying to college may be required to take either the SAT or the ACT for college admission. We recommend that students start this testing in the spring of their junior year. Below is helpful information about both the SAT and the ACT, as well as the PSAT which students can take as a practice exam in grades 9, 10, and 11 if they would like.
The PSAT
The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) tests reading, writing and mathematics, and writing skills. It is good practice for the SAT which may be required for college admission, and it connects students to personalized online study tools for the SAT. Students who take the PSAT in the eleventh grade may be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSQT), a scholarship program that recognizes academic achievement by eleventh grade students in the U.S.
The PSAT at Rutland High School
The PSAT is only offered once per year in October. Tenth grade students at Rutland High School take the PSAT during school in October, and RHS pays for the exam. Ninth and eleventh grade students who are interested in taking the PSAT may sign up in guidance and they pay a fee. Fee waivers may be available for ninth and eleventh graders who qualify.
For more information about the PSAT and NMSQT, please visit: https://www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt
The SAT
The SAT is one of two tests that students can take for college admission requirements. The SAT tests students on reading, writing and mathematics, and writing skills. The SAT is offered once per month during specific months in the school year (October, November, December, January, March, May and June). Students must register for the test online at https://sat.collegeboard.org/home at least one month ahead of the test date they wish to register for. Fee waivers may be available for students who qualify.
For more information about the SAT, please visit: https://sat.collegeboard.org/home
SAT Subject Tests
SAT Subject Tests test a student’s knowledge in a specific subject area. Some colleges recommend that students take the SAT Subject Test, while other colleges require that students take the SAT Subject Tests. Usually, SAT Subject Tests are required by highly selective colleges and programs. It is important to note that not all SAT Subject Tests are offered on every SAT test date, so students will need to plan ahead if they think they may need/want to take the SAT Subject Tests.
The ACT
The ACT is one of two tests that students can take for college admission requirements . The ACT tests students on what they have learned in high school in their English, mathematics, reading, and science classes. The ACT is offered once per month during specific months in the school year (September, October, December, February, April and June). Students must register for the test online at https://www.actstudent.org/regist/ at least one month ahead of the test date they wish to register for. Fee waivers may be available for students who qualify. Please note that the ACT exam is not offered in Rutland. Be sure to look at the website to see what test centers are available for the testing date that you want!
For more information about the ACT, please visit www.actstudent.org