Information about the ACT and SAT Tests 

There are two principal tests recognized by most colleges and universities - the ACT and the SAT.  

Most colleges will take either test and some students take both as a way to maximize the opportunity for being admitted to some schools.  

The ACT has four subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning.  Scores are reported in each of these subject areas along with a composite score, the average of the four tests.  The scores range from 1-36 with a score of 28+ on the composite being high enough to apply for scholarship consideration at most schools.  As of March 2005 ACT added an optionalsection of Writing for schools who might ask for this.  Taking this part adds time to the testing session and increases the test fee.  

The test is given five times a year with the administration in December, April and June providing the students with the most information as you can pay an additional fee to get the Question and Answer service. Students can then check to see what items they missed and perhaps work on that to improve their scores for the next time.  The test can be taken as many times as you wish and most schools will take the highest score.  You can register online by going to www.actstudent.org.

The 2011-2012 ACT dates are as follows:

Test Date

Registration Deadline

(Late Fee Required)

September 10, 2011	August 12, 2011	August 13 – 26, 2011
October 22, 2011	September 16, 2011	September 17 – 30, 2011
December 10, 2011	November 4, 2011	November 5 – 18, 2011
February 11, 2012*	January 13, 2012	January 14 – 20, 2012
April 14, 2012	March 9, 2012	March 10 – 23, 2012
June 9, 2012	May 4, 2012	May 5 – 18, 2012

SAT is the older of the two tests.  It covers three areas: Critical Reading, Math Reasoning and Writing.  Scores are reported in each area and the scores from the Reading and Math are added together to provide the CEEB score.  The scores on each test range from 200-800 so the Composite score ranges from 400-1600.  The score from Writing is usually not added in or included in the admission decision but is often used for placement. 

The SAT is given seven times a year with the test administration in October, May and June providing the students with the chance to review the questions they had wrong with the hope of improving the scores on subsequent test administrations.  You can register for it by going to www.collegeboard.com. 

The 2011-2012 SAT dates are as follows:

Test Dates	Test	U.S. Registration Deadlines
		Regular	Late (a fee applies)
October 1, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	September 9, 2011	September 21, 2011
November 5, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	October 7, 2011	October 21, 2011
December 3, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	November 8, 2011	November 20, 2011
January 28, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	December 30, 2011	January 13, 2012
March 10, 2012	SAT only	February 10, 2012	February 24, 2012
May 5, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	April 6, 2012	April 20, 2012
June 2, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	May 8, 2012	May 22, 2012

Test Preparation:  There are a variety of ways to prepare. 

1. Both web sites have sample tests on-line and students can come back to take a practice test whenever they wish.  Both companies also sell a CD and printed material that you can use at home.  Both test companies have also provided the guidance office with a sample test including the correct answers.  It is suggested that students use these to become familiar with the types of questions and the method of scoring.  It should be noted that the SAT takes a percentage of your wrong answers from your correct answers to eliminate haphazard guessing. 

2. Mrs. Martha Geller is coming to Villa for an ACT course to prepare students for the ACT on ACT Preparation: Martha Geller is presenting her ACT prep course over four evenings.  This is great preparation for the April  ACT.   The April administration is one of the times when students can also receive the Question & Answer service to determine areas of weakness. That service is also offered for the June ACT and again for the October ACT.  The registration material is in the guidance office, or register directly with Mrs. Geller.

3. Another avenue open to students is at the Covington Campus of NKU on Dixie Highway.  They have classes on both tests with varying dates.  The fees depends upon which test you prepare for.  You can get more information by visiting http://nkuconnections.nku.edu/ or by calling NKU at 859.572.5600.

4. If you want something more personal and geared to individual weaknesses,call Stefanie Parker who offers workshops and private tutoring for both tests.  The fee varies for the program chosen.  Ms. Parker operates out of her office on Grandview Avenue, Ft. Mitchell, KY.  You can reach her at 859.341.7326.

5. You can also go to Sylvan Learning Center, Huntington Learning Center, the Princeton Review and Kaplan.

PSAT/NMQST Information
PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  It is a standardized test that provides practice for the SAT Test.  It also allows students to enter the National Merit Scholarship program their junior year. 

The PSAT/NMQST measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills and is encouraged to be taken each year as a freshman, sophmore, and junior.  By taking the PSAT, students are able to see their strengths and weaknesses, see how they compare to others applying to colleges, and be familiar with the kinds of questions and directions they will see on the SAT test.  As a junior students are eligible to enter the National Merit Scholarship program.

Martha Gellar is offering a PSAT/SAT course in preparation for these tests.  The cost is $295 and will take place at Raymond Walters College in Cincinnati.  If you would like to sign up for this prep course please pick up a registration sheet located in the guidance office. 

PLAN Information
The PLAN test is a "pre-ACT" test.  Areas tested are English, Math, Reading and Science. It is given during the fall of sophmore year.  The results of this test are a good indicator of how well a student will do on the ACT test.  (An estimated ACT composite score is provided to the student.) 

AP Courses 

Villa offers the following AP courses: AP United States History, Art (Studio), Advanced Biology AP and Advanced Chemistry AP, (offered to juniors and seniors every other year), Advanced Physics AP, English Language, English Literature, Calculus AB and BC, Computer Science A and AB, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Music Theory, Psychology, Statistics, and a the fourth year of a foreign language (French, Spanish, Latin).

AP courses can offering students the following benefits:
Earn College Credit and Advanced Placement
Stand Out in the College Admissions Process
Gain Skills that Will Help You Succeed in College
Broaden Your Intellectual Horizons

If you are interested in taking AP courses, please talk to an AP teacher or the Guidance Couselor and discuss the course's workload and any preparation you might need.