PSAT, SAT and ACT

The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the ACT (American College Testing) are college entrance exams used by many colleges and universities to make admissions decisions.  The purpose is to determine a high school student's readiness for colleges.  

The SAT and/or ACT can be taken any time throughout high school, but most students take it for the first time in the spring of their junior year, as well as retake it in the fall of their senior year. 

Both tests are accepted by all colleges in the United States and are equally difficult, and which test a student will do better on can only be determined by sitting down and taking a full-length, timed practice test of each. The HHS School Counseling office recommends students take both in the spring of their junior year, and then retake the preferred exam in the fall of the senior year.

Yes, you can take either test as many times as you would like. Most students get a higher score when they take it a second time, and most colleges consider the student's highest score when making admissions decision.  Many colleges now superscore- meaning they combine your highest scores from different tests (i.e. the highest math score with the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing), so it's worth taking it more than once.

Educational Services Center runs an SAT/ACT prep program at Highland High School twice a year. Each junior and senior receives a flyer in the mail detailing the dates and times several weeks in advance of each start date.  The course fee is approximately $395 (after a Highland district discount), which includes 6-7 lessons, all books, and lesson materials. More information on ESC. 

The following SAT/ACT prep programs are also available to students.  This is not a complete list of programs in our area, but these sites have sent us written information about their programs.

• SUNY Ulster: 845-339-2025 
• Free online prep at A Castle Learning Online student account with a Login iD and Password has been set up for each student.  The Login ID is in the following format: high.firstnamelastname.  Each student's account has been set up wtih their Student ID as their password.  If you would like your password, you can contact the school for the information.
• Free online SAT/ACT prep webinars for parents & students are available through Method Test Prep. 
• Z-Prep online SAT/ACT Test Prep provides in-depth diagnostic testing, detailed reporting with projected score ranges for the SAT/ACT, 12 hours of live, online instruction, and taught by an expert SAT or ACT instructor. To enroll in one of their courses, call (845) 238-4585.
• Get Free Test Prep Here Through Kaplan