College Admission Testing

JHS School Code:  052714

SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests

Register online at www.collegeboard.com.  Don't forget to print your Confirmation and Admission Ticket page.

• The earlier you register, the better your chances of being assigned to take the test at JHS.

• The SAT Reasoning Test and Subject Tests will be administered on Saturday, October 9, on the JHS campus.  Students should bring their admission ticket, photo I.D., #2 pencils, an approved calculator, a snack and a drink.  If you missed the registration deadline and wish to be eligible for stand-by, pick up an SAT Registration Booklet in the Counseling Center.  Bring the completed registration form and check for payment to the main office of the testing location at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the test.  There are no guarantees that space will be available.  Go to www.collegeboard.com for more information.  
  

• The SAT Reasoning Test now includes a writing test.  Students will be asked to write an essay and answer multiple choice questions.  The verbal section is now a critical reading assessment.  The math section now includes items from Algebra II. 

• For the Class of 2011, UC's require 2 SAT Subject Tests.  They will take your 2 highest scores in 2 different subject areas.  They no longer accept Math Level 1 Subject Tests.  SAT Subject Test Math Level I contains material through Algebra 2.  Math Level II contains material through Pre-Calculus. 

• Many private and selective colleges require up to 3 Subject Tests.  Check college websites directly for their test requirements.  Jesuit High School juniors are advised to take 3 SAT Subject Tests in June following their Junior year.  Sophomores completing AP Biology are encouraged to take the Biology (M) Subject Test at the end of their sophomore year.

• SAT Test Taking Strategies:
  • When guessing on hard questions that appear late in the set, eliminate the obvious answers.  This does not apply to the early, easy questions.
  • If you are running short on time and have not yet read every passage in the critical reading section, look for the fast points.  Try to answer vocabulary-in-context questions, which have a line reference so you can answer the question without reading the entire passage.

JHS offers a Practice SAT for juniors each spring.  The test will be administered on Saturday, February 5, 2011.  This practice version includes an essay portion, just like the real test.  Students who take the practice test receive a detailed score report, which included their answers, correct answers, and an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses.  Practice SAT scores are not reported to colleges, and enable the students to see if they may need to take a prep course (see below) before taking the real test.  

ACT

• Register online at www.actstudent.org.

• The ACT now includes an optional writing test.  Jesuit students should register to take the ACT With Writing test unless specifically advised not to by their counselor.

• The ACT will be administered on Saturday, September 11, but not on the JHS campus.  Jesuit students should take the ACT With Writing test unless specifically advised not to by their counselor. Students should bring their admission ticket, photo I.D., #2 pencils, an approved calculator, a snack and a drink.  If you miss the registration deadline and want to be eligible for stand-by testing, pick up an ACT Registration Booklet in the Counseling Center.  Bring the completed registration form and check for payment to the main office of the testing location at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the test.  There are no guarantees that space will be available.  Go to www.act.org for more information. 

• JHS will offer a Practice ACT for juniors on Saturday, February 26, 2011.  Students who take the practice test will receive a detailed score report.  Practice ACT scores are not reported to colleges, and enable the students to see if they may need to take a prep course (see below) before taking the real test.  

• ACT Test Taking Strategies:
  • Answer the right question.  Often included among the wrong answers is a correct answer to a different question.
  • Look for the hidden answer.  The correct answer may be written in a way you are not expecting (.5 instead of 1/2).  Many questions also have more than one possible solution, but only one correct answer choice is given.
  • There is no penalty for incorrect answers.  Students are encouraged to answer every question.

Test Prep Courses

• SAT Test Preparation Books are available in the Counseling Center and may be checked out by Jesuit High School students.
• Test prep courses are offered by a number of local and national companies.  For more info visit the College & Career page of the Counseling Department website.

More Test Taking Strategies

• (From Thompson-Peterson) Sign up to take a test when you are prepared to do your best.  Take your test early enough to report your scores [JHS recommends May of junior year]; don't wait until the last possible test date.  Retake a test only for the right reasons - if you've already reached your score goal, it may not be worth the time, money and stress of retaking it.  Don't get bogged down on tough questions; move along at a steady pace.  Pack your admission ticket, calculator, pencils and directions the night before the test.  Make sure you know where the your assigned test center is and allow plenty of time to get there.  Eat a light, healthy breakfast.  Plan a fun and relaxing activity for after the test.

• (From Kaplan) Forming a study group can provide a great support system.  Be sure to choose your group wisely.  3-6 members is best.  Make a schedule in advance, determine what material will be covered at each meeting, and stick to it.  Set realistic goals.

AP Tests

• Students taking AP course(s) will complete the registration form(s) in their AP class(es) in April, 2011.  Students will bring a check for payment on the day of their test.  If a student signs up for a test then decided NOT to take the test, he is still responsible for the test return fee.  Students should see their counselors with questions about AP tests.

• AP Biology students (sophomores) are also encouraged to register for the SAT II Biology M (Molecular) test given in June.