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Testing Information

SAT

The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. Students typically take the exam in the spring of Junior year and in the fall of Senior year.

SAT Subject Tests

There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science. See the subjects.

  • Each Subject Test is an hour long.
  • They are all multiple-choice and scored on a 200–800 scale.
  • Not all colleges require Subject Tests – many of the more competitive schools require the submission of 2.
  • Sign up on the College Board website

ACT

The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc. It is typically taken in the spring of Junior year and in the fall of Senior year.


PSAT (Practice SAT)

The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT is a great primer for the SAT, and even the ACT, but it’s more than just a trial run. PSAT scores are used to identify National Merit Scholars and award merit scholarships in their junior year. This exam is recommended for Juniors and Honors English Sophomores in the fall.

  • The PSAT is 2 hours, 45 minutes long
  • Multiple-choice test in Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
  • Costs $18.00 (2019-20)
  • Offered here at CHS in the fall
  • Counselors will go into English classrooms to provide students registration information in September

Pre-ACT

The Pre-ACT is recommended for Sophomores and is offered at Columbia High School during Regents Week in January.

  • The Pre-ACT is 2 hours, 10 minutes but an additional 60 minutes for pre-administration activities
  • Multiple-choice test
  • Costs $16.00 (2018-19)
  • Counselors will go into English classrooms to provide students registration information in December

AP Exams

The College Board is planning to administer AP exams in the traditional pencil and paper format (which is subject to change) in May 2023. Any changes will be communicated prior to testing by the College Board.

Columbia High School will be offering the following AP exams this year during the AP testing window of May 1–5 and May 8–11, 2023.

Week 1 Morning Afternoon
Monday, May 1, 2023 Chemistry
Tuesday, May 2, 2023 Environmental Science
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 English Literature and Composition Physics 1: Algebra-Based
Friday, May 5, 2023 U.S. History Microeconomics

 

 

Week 2 Morning Afternoon
Monday, May 8, 2023 Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 English Language and Composition Physics C Mechanics
Physics C Electricity & Magnetism
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Biology
Thursday, May 11, 2023 World History Physics 1 Algebra Based