HIGH SCHOOL
College Admissions Testing
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 the juniors to take the PSAT before taking the SAT to better prepare them for the SAT. Enclosed is the list of test dates and registration deadlines, along with the costs for each one, offered through our school. Since we are a Sunday testing site, all the dates listed reflect that.
Test Offered:
PSAT $20
SAT $49.50
SAT with Essay $64.50
ACT with No Writing $50.50
ACT with Writing $67.00
*Fee Waivers are available, if eligible. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for assistance.
Colleges and Universities have changed their entrance exam requirements due to Covid and other factors. In an effort to help you and your families navigate through these changes, we’ve put together the most up-to-date information from the ACT and College Board that will be offered through our school.
Update #1: A number of colleges have become test-optional and what that means is that the SAT and ACT tests are optional and if submitted, schools will take the scores into consideration. Other colleges have become test-blind and what that means is that schools will no longer consider scores to determine eligibility even if students include them in their application. Here is a list of colleges that are test-optional and test-
1. Students who do not submit their scores, factors such as gpa, extra-curricular activities, and letters of recommendation might hold an even greater weight.
2. Colleges may still grant scholarships if students score high enough. 60% of scholarships require SAT and/or ACT scores.
3. Students who score high on the SAT/ACT may be exempt from taking college placement tests.
4. Students may be exempt from a college entrance exam created by the College/University. Which is what they are planning to do very soon.
Update #2: SAT with Essay and SAT Subject tests are no longer offered and no longer required in California.
Our testing dates are scheduled to proceed as planned, please see the list of testing dates and registration deadlines. Since we are a Sunday testing site, all the dates listed reflect that. We will be offering our tests on campus and taking the necessary precautions to ensure our students’ safety. College Board and ACT are requiring all students and staff to wear a mask or protective face covering during testing administration.
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 also offers SAT subject tests, most students do not have to take it as many colleges do not require them. However, many of the UC system schools do require one or two subject tests. You must check with the college of your choice to be sure.
SAT REGISTRATION:
Register online at sat.org/register
First registration deadline is Friday, September 3, 2021
First Time Registration:
- Complete your registration online selecting a Saturday test date and a Saturday school
- Contact Customer Service to request Sunday testing 866-756-7346
- Submit a signed clergy letter through a secured email link sent by CollegeBoard Customer Service (Clergy Letters are available in the Registrar’s Office, please contact Mrs. Karsten at vkarsten@lsak12.com)
- Once you submit the clergy letter, Customer Service will transfer the Saturday registration to a Sunday date and test center.
- Print your admission ticket with the Sunday test date
If Previously Registered:
If you have registered for a Sunday test before, you can re-register online or by phone for additional test dates without providing the clergy letter.
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 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.
To register for the PSAT, students can simply fill out the online form through Jotform, include your name and grade level. The deadline to register is September 10, 2021. Once students are added to the list, the business office will issue an invoice through your Renweb/FACTS account. There is no need for you to come on campus to pay. 🙂 The PSAT registration fee is $20. Fee waivers are available upon request, please let me know directly if you are interested.
This test will take 3-4 hours and it will be administered on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (during school hours).
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.