Entrance Exams

College Entrance Exams

  • Many colleges are now "test optional", meaning that you may submit a score, but you do not need to.
  • Some schools are "test blind", meaning that a school will not consider a test score.
  • If a college accepts a test score, they will accept either the SAT or ACT. You may want to consider taking both and/or researching which test is better for you.

Why take a college entrance exam?

  • Scores can enhance a candidate's applications.
  • Scores can mean automatic acceptance to some colleges. 
  • Scores can improve access to scholarship dollars.
  • Scores can decrease the need for college placement exams after being admitted to a college.

When should a score be submitted?

  • Make the decision for each college separately.
  • Know if the college will consider a test score.
  • Share if the applicant's score is at least within the middle 50% of student scores accepted to that college.

ACT

  • Plan to have earned the score you are happy with by October of your senior year.
  • Test dates can be found here. The high school is a testing center for the ACT on many major national test dates.
  • All tests need to be registered for at act.org with the exception of a spring test offered only to juniors during a school day at the high school. 
  • The ACT covers 5 sections: English, Reading, Math, Science, and an optional Writing Test.
  • ACT Test Prep

SAT

  • Plan to have earned the score you are happy with by October of your senior year.
  • Test dates can be found here. The closest testing center is typically Anoka Ramsey Community College. 
  • All tests need to be registered for at collegeboard.org. 
  • The SAT covers 3 sections: Reading, Writing/Language, and Math.
  • SAT Test Prep

PSAT

  • Pre SAT: givng students an opportunity to experience what the SAT is like.
  • Offered to 11th grade students in the fall during a school day at the high school. 
  • Top 11th grade scores nationwide qualify students for National Merit Scholarships.
  • Students are encouraged to take the test to see how prepared they are for post secondary education and to identify learning areas that they can improve upon.

Other Entrance Exams

Accuplacer

  • A placement test used by two year colleges to determine college readiness in Reading, Writing, and/or Math.
  • The test is also used by many union apprenticeship programs.
  • Each two year college in MN has their own Accuplacer requirements. Check in with the college you are interested in attending.

ASVAB

  • Required test to enter any branch of the military.
  • Plays a very large role in determining the job you will be assigned and trained for once you enlist.
  • A free testing opportunity for anyone seeking career aptitude and interest information.  
  • Offered 1-2 times per year after school at the high school.