HIGH SCHOOL
College Admissions Testing
HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMICS
La Sierra Academy offers several opportunities for students to take college entrance exams. All seniors planning to apply to college should take at least one of these tests. Seniors will want to take the SAT or ACT. We recommend that juniors take the PSAT first to better prepare for the SAT.
All tests offered through La Sierra Academy are given on campus during scheduled school days. For current test dates, fees, and registration, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 951-351-1445. Fee waivers are available for eligible students.
Many colleges and universities are now test-optional, and testing requirements can change by the time you graduate, so check with each college you are considering. Even when tests are optional, we believe they are still beneficial:
- When students do not submit scores, factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation may carry even greater weight.
- Colleges may still award scholarships based on high SAT or ACT scores.
- Students who score high on the SAT or ACT may be exempt from some college placement tests.
SAT
Created by the College Board, the SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities. SAT scores are used for admissions and merit-based scholarships. Some students choose to take the SAT test more than once. This is an option that is open to all students.
SAT REGISTRATION:
Students register for the SAT online through the College Board at sat.org/register. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for this year’s test dates and for help with registration.
PSAT
The PSAT is considered a practice test for juniors as they prepare for the SAT during their senior year. There is also scholarship money attached to this test for those students who do very well. Please note, however that these scholarships are only for juniors. Sophomores are recommended to take the PSAT test to familiarize themselves with this testing process – but they would need to retake it their junior year in order to be eligible for the scholarships.
PSAT REGISTRATION:
The PSAT is given on campus during the school day. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for this year’s test date and registration information.
For more information on how to prepare for the PSAT, College Board and Khan Academy offer free resources:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/practice/full-length-practice-tests
ACT
Like the SAT, the ACT is a nationally administered, standardized test that helps colleges evaluate candidates. Colleges accept ACT or SAT scores interchangeably. This means that you have the opportunity to decide on which test you’ll perform better. In many cases, schools will accept either exam, so it’s up to you to figure out which test to take. One of the ways to determine which test best fits your student’s test-taking style, is by taking a 5 minute diagnostics test for free: https://www.kaptest.com/sat/sat-vs-act
ACT REGISTRATION:
Follow the link to register online for the ACT: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration-information.html
La Sierra Academy also offers SAT and ACT prep courses throughout the school year. More information will be distributed as the dates approach.