Entrance exams
Learn about college admission tests, like the SAT and ACT.
What are the SAT and ACT?
The SAT and ACT are standardized tests designed to measure your skills and help colleges evaluate how ready you are for college-level work.
Some four-year colleges consider test scores when deciding whom to accept. They typically don’t have a preference of one test over the other. Each college has its own admission processes and policies, and they use scores differently.
In addition to using test scores for admission purposes, colleges may also use them to award scholarships and to decide placement in college classes.
How do you register for the exams?
Register about one month prior to when you want to take the test. To register online, you will need to complete the following:
- Create a free account using your email address
- Pay with a credit card
- Upload an acceptable photo
- Print your admission ticket
Register:
SAT vs. ACT
Understanding your scores
After taking the SAT or ACT, it will take about 3 weeks to receive your results. They will come as a score report and will include a composite, or total score and section scores. Read more information about what is included on an SAT report and ACT report.
What does test optional mean?
Are one or more of the colleges you’re interested in calling themselves test optional? If a school is test optional, that means you get to decide if you want to send your SAT or ACT scores. If you send them, they’ll be reviewed as part of your application. If you don’t, you won’t be at any disadvantage compared to applicants who did send scores.
It is important to research each college's rules about admissions. Find out whether your scores would enhance your application. Some colleges may not need scores for admission, but they may still need them for scholarship consideration.
Sending your scores
You have a few options to send your scores to colleges:
- Send your scores for free when you register for the exam. You should consider sending scores for free when you register if you prepared well for the test, don’t plan to retake it, or face a quickly approaching application deadline.
- Pay to send scores after you receive them. You can also wait until you receive your scores to send them to colleges if you feel uncertain about your performance or need more time to build your college list.