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.

Columbia will host the SAT on the following dates in 2025-26: October 4, 2025; November 8, 2025; May 2, 2026; and June 6, 2026.

• 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

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
• 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
• Counselors will go into English classrooms to provide students registration information in December
• Register for Exam

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 2026. 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 4-8 and May 11-15, 2026.