30-Second Summary   Why This Matters   Despite test-optional policies, all students should take a practice SAT and ACT to inform their testing strategy.  Families need to know why, when, and how students should use practice testing as part of their SAT/ACT strategy.   The Main Takeaway   The three steps to developing your SAT/ACT testing strategy are: Step 1: Determine whether to focus on the SAT or ACT, and establish your baseline score.  This is where practice tests come in. Step 2: Set your target score based on your college and scholarship goals. Step 3: Select your study strategy.    What You'll Learn in This Article   You'll learn the importance of practice SAT/ACT testing, which practice test(s) to take, when you should take them, and what you should do with your scores—all depending on your individual goals.   Read On   How Should I Approach the SAT/ACT Testing Process? Why Should I Take Practice SAT/ACT Tests? Which Practice Test(s) Should I Take? When Should I Sign Up? What Should I Do After the Practice Tests?

 

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Topics: ACT, SAT, 11th Grade - Juniors, 10th Grade - Sophomores, 12th Grade - Seniors, College Admissions: Test Well, Anchorage, PSAT

 

NOTE: This post is targeted at juniors (10th graders as of May 1, 2022).  If you have already taken the PSAT (11th graders of May 1, 2022), check out this post instead.

 

Summer is an important time for rising juniors to learn about the PSAT and determine whether it’s worth preparing for the test to potentially qualify for recognition and funding under the National Merit Scholarship Program.  Alaska students earning Semifinalist, Finalist, or Winner status have access to generous scholarship opportunities at a variety of colleges. In this post, we’ll break down what’s on the PSAT, how the National Merit Scholarship Program works, and what rising juniors should do ASAP—ideally before August 15, 2022—to see where they stand.

 

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Topics: Financial Aid & Scholarships, ACT, SAT, College Admissions: Build Your Application Assets, 11th Grade - Juniors, 10th Grade - Sophomores, College Admissions: Test Well, Anchorage, PSAT

 

10^th and 11^th graders: Your SAT or ACT scores will likely play a significant role in your competitiveness when applying to colleges, with 88% of colleges placing considerable or moderate importance on students’ standardized test scores for admissions purposes.¹  Given the importance of your SAT/ACT scores, how should you develop your testing calendar and plans?  In this article, we’ll review three questions to help you decide when you should prepare for and take the official SAT or ACT—including what sophomores should do over the summer to determine whether they may be competitive for National Merit recognition on their junior year PSAT.

 

Here's everything covered in this post:

• How Should I Approach the SAT/ACT Testing Process? 3 Steps to SAT/ACT Success
• When Should I Take My Practice SAT and ACT?
• When Should I Take My Official SAT or ACT? 3 Questions to Help You Decide
• Next Steps: Checklist for Rising Juniors
• Next Steps: Checklist for Rising Seniors

 

First, let’s start with a high-level overview of SAT/ACT testing strategy.

 

 

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Topics: SAT Subject Tests, ACT, SAT, 11th Grade - Juniors, 10th Grade - Sophomores, 12th Grade - Seniors, College Admissions: Test Well, Anchorage, PSAT

 

If you took the PSAT in October 2019 as either a 10^th or 11^th grader, you should have received your scores on December 10.  What do your scores mean?  How do they relate to the SAT/ACT?  How does the National Merit Scholarship Program work, and what are the Alaska qualifying scores?  And now that you have your scores, what should you do next?

 

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Topics: Financial Aid & Scholarships, ACT, SAT, College Admissions: Build Your Application Assets, 11th Grade - Juniors, 10th Grade - Sophomores, College Admissions: Test Well, Anchorage, PSAT

Earlier this week, the College Board released scores from the March 5 SAT—the first administration of the redesigned SAT—as well as long-awaited new concordance tables, which allow students to understand how their scores from the redesigned SAT, ACT, and old SAT compare in common terms.  Shortly after the College Board's announcement, the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education announced the Alaska Performance Scholarship score requirements for redesigned SAT.  What does the new scoring system of the redesigned SAT mean for you?

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Topics: ACT, SAT, 11th Grade - Juniors, 10th Grade - Sophomores, College Admissions: Test Well, PSAT