Entrance Exams

There's no denying that college entrance exams are important. Really important. But don't get in the mindset that they're the only way to get into a school: most colleges also figure in things such as your GPA, class schedule, and extracurricular activities. The exams are not the final word, but don't think about skipping 'em: you need to take an entrance exam.

The most important thing you can do to up your score on these tests is to prepare! The sooner the better.

Here's the rundown on the tests:

PSAT

You'll take the PSAT as a sophomore or early on in your junior year. While it looks and feels a lot like the SAT, this test will not determine if you can get into a college. The PSAT instead rewards high scores with possible National Merit Scholarships. It's a great way to bone up on what the real SAT will be like.

ACT

Now we're talking the real deal. The ACT is preferred by schools in the midwest, but almost every college accepts a score on this test. It's broken down into four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Alot of it is based on things you're learning in-between study hall and lunch, so doing your homework will payoff here. The magic number, your final score, is an average of the scores you received in the four sections. The national average is approximately 21. A perfect score is 36. Most schools will accept a score of 25 of higher, but check with your college to be sure.
Get the info on the ACT.

SAT

The other main college entrance exam is primarily used by schools on the coasts, but like the ACT, most schools will accept the SAT. The SAT is broken down into seven sections: three verbal, three math, and one experimental. The verbal section is designed to test your vocabulary. Math on the SAT mainly covers Algebra and Geometry. Scoring is based on a 1600-point scale with the national average about 1000. Most schools will easily accept a 1200 or above. Again, check with your college for the scoop.
Get the info on the SAT.

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