Standardized Testing
The standardized tests, used by colleges in evaluating candidates, provide standards by which to compare applicants. Colleges do not place the same emphasis on these tests, however. Most will openly tell you that the student’s high school transcript is the single most important factor when evaluating a college application. More and more competitive and even some highly competitive colleges now make score reporting optional or provide choices about which tests the applicants submit.
| Juniors | More and more juniors will try the SAT once in the winter of their junior year. All will take the test by the end of the year – most taking the SAT Reasoning Test in May and the Subject Tests in June. We recommend that all juniors try the ACT either in April or in June. |
| Seniors |
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TEST DATES for the Class of 2013 (tentative dates – set dates will be available later this Spring)
| Test date | Registration deadline |
| October 6 (SAT Reasoning Test or Subject Tests) | Early September |
| *November 3 (SAT Reasoning Test or Subject Tests) | Early October |
| December 1 (SAT Reasoning Test or Subject Tests) | Late October/Early November |
| January 26 (SAT Reasoning Test or Subject Tests) | Late December |
| * In the event that there is a conflict with state tournament play, the school will request alternate testing arrangements for the November SAT Reasoning Test / SAT Subject Tests, and if approved, the tests will be given at NYA at a set time in the week following the SAT date. | |
Advanced Placement Exams will be held the weeks of May 7-11 and May 14-18 in 2012.
ACT Exams
Some students may want to take the ACT to see if this is a better test for them. (It measures achievement, rather than critical reasoning skills.) If, indeed, this seems to be a better assessment device, it may be repeated again in the senior year in an attempt to improve scores. The following is the schedule for ACT testing for the fall of 2012.
| Test date | Registration deadline |
| September 15 | Mid-August (exact deadlines have not yet been published) |
| October 27 | Late September (exact deadlines have not yet been published) |
| December 8 | Early November |
| Unlike with SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests, ACT does not make accommodations for conflicts with school-sponsored athletic events or musical programs. | |
