SAT and ACT Information
What do these scores mean and why do I have to take a test?
Colleges and universities use your scores to gauge your future success at their institution. Many others things are considered in admissions applications such as essays, recommendation letters, and high school courses and grades, so do not stress too much about getting a certain score, but most schools do have a range of scores they will consider so do keep those in mind.
How can I do well on this test?
Part of doing well on any test is to read the question fully and apply the knowledge you have learned in classes to make an informed decision on choosing the right answer. Studying, whether in groups, individually, or in a study course, is highly recommended for these tests and many well respected study guides are available at the Salem Public Library. Another resource for test preparation is the CIS Learning Express tool. To access this follow the directions below.
website: www.oregoncis.uoregon.edu Log on to your portfolio:
CIS Login: titans07 Username: lastname_firstnameXX@wshs (XX is students' grad year)
CIS password: muscles Password: your sudent ID#Sk (example: 123456Sk, DO NOT CHANGE PASSWORD)
What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?
The tests vary in how they are scored as well as material covered in the test. The SAT has three sections: critical reading, math, and writing. The ACT has four sections: English, math, reading, science, and an writing section. Both are comparable in length of time, but the ACT test is broken up in shorted sections and many students say it feels shorter. The ACT only awards points for correct answers and as such you are encouraged to take an educated guess on questions you do not know the answer to, where as on the SAT you are deducted points for wring answers and are encouraged to skip questions if you are unsure.
Do I have to take it?
If you are planning on going to a 4 year college or university yes, you have to take the SAT or ACT. However, if you are planning on starting at a community college and then transferring to a 4 year institution, you do not need to take one of these tests.
When do I take it?
We encourage students to take the SAT/ACT in the Winter and/or Spring their Junior year; this gives the students a chance to see their scores and plan a retake if necessary before college application deadlines their senior year. Most schools will "super score" meaning they will take the highest score from each section even if they are on different tests.
How and when do I send my scores to colleges and universities?
If you know which schools you are interested in, you can opt send your scores electronically to them when you register for the test. This is free to do while registering, but if you opt out of this or want to send additional reports to colleges after you have tested there is an added fee.
How many times should I take it?
Don't make a career out of taking the SAT or ACT; it is costly and time consuming! Instead, do your best the first time by studying and preparing for the test. There are fee waivers available for TRiO, AVID, and Free/Reduced Lunch students, however students are only given one of these. If you feel the need to retake the test once you receive your scores, be mindful of when scores are due for colleges and if your new scores will make it on time.
Where do I go to register for the test or to get more information?
For the SAT visit sat.collegeboard.com and for the ACT visit actstudent.org. Both sites will also have information on how to prepare for the test. Be sure to have a photo available when you register as both sites require a picture to be uploaded to complete your registration. Also, be sure to use a computer connected to a printer so you can print out your admission ticket when you are finished.
Colleges and universities use your scores to gauge your future success at their institution. Many others things are considered in admissions applications such as essays, recommendation letters, and high school courses and grades, so do not stress too much about getting a certain score, but most schools do have a range of scores they will consider so do keep those in mind.
How can I do well on this test?
Part of doing well on any test is to read the question fully and apply the knowledge you have learned in classes to make an informed decision on choosing the right answer. Studying, whether in groups, individually, or in a study course, is highly recommended for these tests and many well respected study guides are available at the Salem Public Library. Another resource for test preparation is the CIS Learning Express tool. To access this follow the directions below.
website: www.oregoncis.uoregon.edu Log on to your portfolio:
CIS Login: titans07 Username: lastname_firstnameXX@wshs (XX is students' grad year)
CIS password: muscles Password: your sudent ID#Sk (example: 123456Sk, DO NOT CHANGE PASSWORD)
- Go to My Portfolio
- Under "Helpful Tools" click "My Learning Express"
- Click "Continue" to access the Learning Express Library
- Use arrows in center of page to find the "College Prep Center" and click on it
- Choose the practice tests you are interested in and cluck "Launch" to get started. Follow the on screen direction to complete the test.
What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?
The tests vary in how they are scored as well as material covered in the test. The SAT has three sections: critical reading, math, and writing. The ACT has four sections: English, math, reading, science, and an writing section. Both are comparable in length of time, but the ACT test is broken up in shorted sections and many students say it feels shorter. The ACT only awards points for correct answers and as such you are encouraged to take an educated guess on questions you do not know the answer to, where as on the SAT you are deducted points for wring answers and are encouraged to skip questions if you are unsure.
Do I have to take it?
If you are planning on going to a 4 year college or university yes, you have to take the SAT or ACT. However, if you are planning on starting at a community college and then transferring to a 4 year institution, you do not need to take one of these tests.
When do I take it?
We encourage students to take the SAT/ACT in the Winter and/or Spring their Junior year; this gives the students a chance to see their scores and plan a retake if necessary before college application deadlines their senior year. Most schools will "super score" meaning they will take the highest score from each section even if they are on different tests.
How and when do I send my scores to colleges and universities?
If you know which schools you are interested in, you can opt send your scores electronically to them when you register for the test. This is free to do while registering, but if you opt out of this or want to send additional reports to colleges after you have tested there is an added fee.
How many times should I take it?
Don't make a career out of taking the SAT or ACT; it is costly and time consuming! Instead, do your best the first time by studying and preparing for the test. There are fee waivers available for TRiO, AVID, and Free/Reduced Lunch students, however students are only given one of these. If you feel the need to retake the test once you receive your scores, be mindful of when scores are due for colleges and if your new scores will make it on time.
Where do I go to register for the test or to get more information?
For the SAT visit sat.collegeboard.com and for the ACT visit actstudent.org. Both sites will also have information on how to prepare for the test. Be sure to have a photo available when you register as both sites require a picture to be uploaded to complete your registration. Also, be sure to use a computer connected to a printer so you can print out your admission ticket when you are finished.
2015-16 SAT Test Dates (*Notes the NEW SAT test)
Test Date Regular Registration Deadline Late Fee Deadline (no waiver accepted)
October 3 September 3 September 22
November 7 October 9 October 27
December 5 November 5 November 23
January 23 December 28 January 12
*March 5 February 5 February 23
*May 7 April 8 April 26
*June 4 May 5 May 25
2015-16 ACT Test Dates
Test Date Regular Registration Deadline Late Fee Deadline (no waiver accepted)
September 12 August 7 August 21
October 24 September 18 October 2
December 12 November 6 November 20
February 6 January 8 January 15
April 9 March 4 March 18
June 11 May 6 May 7
West Salem High School Code: 381-056
Test Date Regular Registration Deadline Late Fee Deadline (no waiver accepted)
October 3 September 3 September 22
November 7 October 9 October 27
December 5 November 5 November 23
January 23 December 28 January 12
*March 5 February 5 February 23
*May 7 April 8 April 26
*June 4 May 5 May 25
2015-16 ACT Test Dates
Test Date Regular Registration Deadline Late Fee Deadline (no waiver accepted)
September 12 August 7 August 21
October 24 September 18 October 2
December 12 November 6 November 20
February 6 January 8 January 15
April 9 March 4 March 18
June 11 May 6 May 7
West Salem High School Code: 381-056