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.
- The SAT is 3 hours and costs $52. If you add the optional essay, the test is 3 hours, 50 minutes and costs $68.
- Late registration or a change to an existing registration costs an extra $30.
- Certain 11th and 12th grade students who meet income-based eligibility criteria may be eligible for a fee waiver
- Sign up on the College Board website
- SAT Free Study Resources:
- 7 days free test prep for the SATs: https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-on-demand-trial
- Khan Academy:https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat
- College Board:https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice
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.
- The ACT is 2 hrs, 55 minutes (plus 40 minutes if taking ACT with writing)
- Sections include English, Math, Reading, Science
- Costs $55 (without writing section) and $70 (with writing section)
- Certain 11th and 12th grade students who meet income-based eligibility criteria may be eligible for a fee waiver
- Not offered at CHS, but area schools do offer it (see below)
- Sign up on the ACT website
- ACT Study Resources:
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 |