With Thanksgiving only two days away, the Christmas music will be starting in just three days. It is hard to believe, but we can now see the end of the college application season, with January 1st being one of the biggest college deadlines. January through the end of April will be filled with a lot of joy as acceptance letters roll in, and seniors begin making their plans for collegiate life in the fall of 2018.

January, into the early months of spring also mean another thing in the world of college admissions: the cycle begins again for current juniors, as this will be the time the majority of juniors begin taking the standardized college entrance exams: ACT and SAT.

Although a growing number of colleges are going test-optional, which means they do not require (really!) SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admissions or scholarship money, the vast majority of colleges still use scores as a major part of the admissions process. Below, I will first give you a few tips and updates on the ACT and SAT...and below that will be a list of remaining test dates for this cycle.

ACT/SAT Info & Updates

ALL colleges accept either test...there is no advantage to taking one test over the other
This past year, the SAT went back to a 1600 scoring format with two major sections: Evidence Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) and Math...both are out of 800
The ACT still has 4 main sections: Math, Reading, English, & Science...for a highest composite score of 36
Both the ACT and SAT have an optional essay. My advice is to take the test with essay at least once...just in case some of your colleges require it
Cost of...ACT: $46, ACT with Essay: $62.50, SAT: $46, SAT with Essay: $60
For the first time, there will be a July ACT, and for the second year in a row, there will be an August SAT
Ideally, students should take one or both of these tests before they return to school in the fall
For almost every college, students choose which tests they want to send to colleges in the fall, so there is no harm in taking the tests multiple times
Starting in February, 2018 the ACT will be offering Saturday exams for the Pre ACT. Students can register at high schools from across the state, and the tests will be completely online at testing centers. These tests will not be seen by colleges, and are solely for preparation and training purposes.

Remaining ACT Test Dates

Saturday, December 9 (Registration Deadline: November 3)
Saturday, February 10 (Registration Deadline: January 12) *No test centers in New York
Saturday, April 14 ( Registration Deadline: March 9)
Saturday, June 9 (Registration Deadline: May 4)
Saturday, July 14 (Registration Deadline: June 15) *No test centers in New York
Register Here

Remaining SAT Test Dates

Saturday, December 2 (Registration Deadline: November 2)
Saturday, March 10 (Registration Deadline: February 9) **No Subject Tests Offered
Saturday, May 5 (Registration Deadline: April 6)
Saturday, June 2 (Registration Deadline: May 3)
August Test Date TBD
Register Here

Hope this helps, and enjoy the Holidays!!

Joseph D. Korfmacher