This attached COLLEGE TESTING TIME TABLE  will help you to understand which tests to take from freshmen year to senior year to meet the college testing requirements.  

In preparation for the ACT and the SAT I, students in grade 10 have the option of taking the PLAN test (practice ACT) and the PSAT (Prelimary SAT).  Both tests are adminstered by staff at SJHHS during the fall semester.  Students receive feedback regarding their results from ACT and College Board, which is explained to parents and students during a scheduled “Scores Back Night” meeting.  With the results, students can make informed decisions about which classes to register for during grades 11 and 12, as well as gain an understanding of which areas they need to focus on in order to improve their scores when they take the real exams (ACT and SAT) during their junior year.   Please note that the results of the PLAN and PSAT are not reported to colleges as they are simply to prepare students for the ACT and SAT I.

Students can also take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) during the fall of their junior year to be considered for the National Merit Scholarship.   For more information on National Merit Scholarship please visit  http://www.nationalmerit.org/

PLAN (Practice ACT):  Administered by SJHHS in November.  Students can register for this exam during summer registration or online through ASB/Activities.  For more information regarding PLAN please visit www.act.org

PSAT (Preliminary SAT):  Administered by SJHHS on the PSAT national test date in October.  Students can register for this exam during summer registration or online through ASB/Activities.  For more information regarding PSAT please visit www.collegeboard.com

Students often ask:  “Should I take the ACT or the SAT?”   We recommend that students take both exams, and submit their highest score from either exam to the universities to which they apply.   By taking the PLAN and the PSAT PRACTICE exams during sophomore year, students will gain a clearer understanding of the differences between the two exams and what areas they excel and those that need improvement.

SAT II Policy for Students Graduating With The Class of 2011 ONLY!!

(Please see SAT II Policy for students graduating with the class of 2012 and beyond below)

Students applying to the University of California with the class of 2011, MUST, in addition to submitting the results for either the ACT or SAT I, also submit test results for the SAT II Subject tests.  Unlike the ACT and SAT I, which cover multiple subject areas and take several hours to complete, the SAT II Subject Tests are ONE HOUR exams that test knowledge in a specific curricular area/subject. For more information regarding the SAT Subject Tests, or to register for the Subject Tests please visit www.collegeboard.com

Students can take SAT II Subject Tests from the areas listed below.  The University of California will require two separate tests from two curricular areas.  It is recommended that students take the exam in June of the year they are enrolled in the particular subject they are testing for.  (I.e. SAT II US History test in June of the 11th grade year).

• English Literature
• Social Science (World History, US History)
• Mathmatics - level IC or II C (* Level IIC required for the Univeristy of California) 
• Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• World Language

Suggested timeline for registering for the SAT II Subject Tests

• English Literature: Spring semester of grade 11
• Social Science: World History - Spring of grade 9 if enrolled in World History Accelerated; Spring of grade 10 if enrolled in World History.  US History - Spring of grade 11
• Mathematics: Level IIC - Spring of grade 11
• Science:  Biology (take E for ecological), Chemistry or Conceptual Physics - Spring semester of the year/grade you take the course.
• World Language: Spring of grade 11

PLEASE NOTE:  Students enrolled in AP level courses will take AP Exams during the month of May, therefore it is recommended that you do not register for ACT, SAT I or SAT II exams during the month of May.

For a list of all universities that require SAT II subject tests click HERE

SAT II Policy for Students Graduating With The Class of 2012 and Beyond...

The University of California Board of Regents approved a change to the Univeristy's admission policy that will affect current high school students graduating in 2012 and beyond.  The new policy requires that same number of "A-G" course and the same GPA as the current policy.  The key differences are:

• Two SAT Subject Tests WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION. However, students could still chooose to submit their scores for consideration as part of their application, just as they do now with AP scores.  The Subject Tests also could be recommended for certain majors.
• All Applicants will need to complete 11 of the 15 "A-G" course by the end of their junior year.  Currently this is required only of students who are designated eligible by ranking in the top 4 percent of their high school class (3 English, 3 Math, 3 Science, 2 Social Science = 11 A-G Courses). 

CSU (California State University) - The results of either the ACT or the SAT I.

UC (University of California) - The results of either the ACT or the SAT I AND for the class of 2011ONLY, the results of 2 SAT II Subject Tests (from two different curricular areas).  Students in the class of 2012 and beyond will not be required to submit SAT II test results as a condition of their application. 

Private/Independent Universities - Most private/independent universities will accept the results of either the ACT or the SAT I, but it is recommended that students visit the website of the private/independent universities they are interested in to verify.  This is also true to determine if the university will require the results of the SAT II Subject Tests and how many.

ACT:   It is recommended that students take the ACT during the spring semester of grade 11, or the Fall semester of grade 12.  

To register, please visit  www.act.org

SAT I:  It is recommended that students take the SAT I during the spring semester of grade 11, or the fall semester of grade 12.    

SAT II Subject Tests:  It is recommended that students register for the June test date of the year they complete the subject they are testing (for example: SAT II Subject test in US History should be taken in June of the 11th grade.)  

To register for both the SAT I and the SAT II Subject Tests please visit www.collegeboard.com