SAT, ACT are big factors
in college admission
MALISSA TRENHOLM

“Most students do not think about the SAT and ACT tests until their junior year -- like the person writing this article,” laughed Yosemite High School Counselor Valinda Clevenger.

“The biggest factors in college entrance are the student’s curriculum, their grades, and their SAT and ACT scores,” explained Clevenger, while explaining it is very important students take the tests seriously, as soon as possible, and to “not wait till their junior year!” She also “strongly advises” all students to take the PLAN and PSAT tests as early as their sophomore or even freshman years.

According to Clevenger, the PLAN is a practice test for the ACT, and the PSAT is a practice test for the SAT, in which a student can get an idea about what the test's structure is going to be like. She also said that after taking the practice tests, the students will receive the results in the mail with the right and wrong answers to help them prepare for the future real test, for a cost of about $11 to $12.

“Taking the SAT and ACT is important to me because I need to get into a good college,” said YHS junior, Cassandra Kennedy. It is very crucial, for students who score high on the tests not only can get into tougher colleges but they can also have an opportunity to receive scholarships and awards, explained Clevenger. For example, students can be recognized on the National Merit Program for high scores on the PSAT tests that are taken in the fall.

The difference in the ACT and SAT tests is that the SAT contains 50 percent on verbal reasoning and 50 percent of math reasoning. It includes analogies, math grid-ins, has a penalty for incorrect answers, and there is no career interest inventory. The cost is $28.50, with an extra $18 for late fees.

The ACT contains 25 percent English, 25 percent math, 25 percent reading, and 25 percent science reasoning. It is curriculum based, has no analogies, no math grid-ins, there is no penalty for incorrect answers, and there is a career interest inventory. The cost is $26, with an extra $16 for late fees.
Clevenger also stated students can choose whether they want to take the SAT or the ACT, for colleges will accept either one.

Melinda Boren, testing coordinator for YHS, says that in order to register for the tests, students can go to the counseling office where they have mini practice tests as well as the information packet to register by mail. She says students can also register online at www.collegeboard.com.

Boren suggests that students sign up for a daily email from www.collegeboard.com, in order to get an official SAT “question of the day.” According to Boren, when students register online or by mail, they will be given the choice of at least five colleges that they wish their scores to be sent to for free, and if more, the cost is extra.

Some tests are administered at YHS and others can be at the test taker’s school of choice. The tests Boren administers at YHS last about three hours. Both she and Clevenger advise students to get “a lot of sleep, about eight to 10 hours, eat a good breakfast, and study online” before the test.
“I’m going to go to the office and pick up the practice tests, I’m going to take online tests, get lots of sleep, and get there early,” said YHS junior Lindsay Collins when she was asked what she is going to do to prepare for the tests, for she wishes to score high in order to be accepted at Fresno Pacific.

Within at least two weeks of taking the ACT or SAT, students will receive their test scores to help better improve their score, explained Boren. She also stated students can take the tests as many times as they want, and their best score will be chosen to send to colleges.

“I feel I did better the second time,” said Whitney Benson, a YHS junior. She also feels it is important to take the ACT and the SAT as many times as she can until she is satisfied with her score, for “it is important for me to get into good colleges like Colorado College, the University of Santa Barbara, or San Diego,” she stated.

The upcoming 2004 testing date for the SAT is June 5. The SAT will be administered at YHS at 8 a.m. The deadline to register for the June 5 test was April 29.

The 2004 ACT will be held June 12, with a deadline of May 7 to apply. To find the 2005 testing dates, students can go to the counseling office or see Boren.

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