Secondary Standardized Testing Guide
The first step to Secondary Standardized Testing: introduction
The first step toward student success on standardized tests in high school (otherwise known as College Admission Tests) is for students to build familiarity with these kinds of tests and test-taking, specifically the SAT, ACT, or CLT. At HLS students will have this opportunity in the spring of their freshman year when they take the CLT10. A practice test to the CLT (Classic Learning Test) and an introduction to all secondary standardized testing. The next tests students are encouraged to take are the PSAT (fall of sophomore year) and a repeat of the CLT10 in spring of sophomore year.
HLS sophomores attend a “Test Prep” course where they prepare specifically for the basics of the PSAT. This course covers test taking techniques and provides an opportunity to interact with the kinds of material presented on the PSAT. Students will begin to see how their education at HLS has uniquely prepared them to tackle standardized tests from the CLT, SAT, and ACT testing agencies. While the Test Prep course is geared to the Preliminary SAT, the course will remain helpful to not only the SAT but also to the CLT10, CLT, and ACT. The CLT10 that students repeat in spring of their sophomore year can qualify them for a $2,500 scholarship award and other recognitions that they are welcome and encouraged to record on their college application.
Students in the “Test Prep” course will learn the ways in which they can study for and practice these specific kinds of tests. They will also learn how to improve their score between test sittings. This introductory test prep class prepares students to take the PSAT in their sophomore year and their junior year. The junior year PSAT is the qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Program you will see it referred to as the PSAT/ NMSQT which stands for Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Students when they take the PSAT as juniors can be eligible for several recognitions with a high score. Either a Commendation or Semi-Finalist recognition. Semi-Finalists go on to compete to become Finalists. National Merit Scholars (Finalists) have the opportunity to receive large scholarships (often up to full tuition and housing) from some public and private universities and colleges across our country.
*It is highly important to note that the PSAT and the SAT as of 2024 are only digital. Right now (as of 2026) the ACT is still available in a paper or digital format. The CLT 10 & CLT are offered both in paper and online, but the online test is more accessible throughout the year. Becoming adjusted to the digital format when taking a digital test plays a significant role in test performance. HLS elects to offer students testing at our school site. We offer the paper version of the CLT10 and the ACT.
The next step to the SAT & ACT: determine a student’s “best test”
The next step in the world of standardized test-taking typically occurs in a student’s junior year. This next step is to determine which test is the student’s “best test”. Either the SAT or the ACT. Once a student establishes this, they then proceed by taking their best test 3-4 more times. Students test until they reach a score that makes them competitive for admittance to their top choice colleges (this can be determined by researching the middle 50% ACT / SAT of the school of interest – search for this through a search engine like google by typing “middle 50% ACT SAT GPA insert name of school here” or search “freshman profile for insert name of school here”). A student who strives to reach their best score also has the potential to become competitive for merit scholarships. See what GPAs and test scores your colleges and universities of interest provide merit scholarship awards for by searching their website for “merit scholarships”.
*You may use the CLT if you know the colleges you are applying to accept this test, you can view colleges that accept the CLT here.
How does a student determine their best test?
The best way to evaluate which test is a student’s best test is by taking the tests or practice tests. HLS students will have the ability to make their first test of this determination their junior year PSAT. This PSAT is offered at HLS in the fall of students’ junior year (a reminder this test is only offered in a digital format). This is the test which serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifier. Because the PSAT is a Preliminary SAT it is a close indicator of how a student will perform on the SAT.
After the junior year PSAT in October, students can switch over and attempt the ACT (or do an ACT practice test) in late October or early December. Students who have taken the ACT after their junior year PSAT can compare their ACT score to their PSAT score.
If you ended up taking an official SAT in this mix, that is okay too-regardless of the order in which a student takes these tests, the aim is to compare available data. Compare ACT (official or practice) test scores and testing experience to the PSAT/SAT test scores and testing experience. If you have taken the official SAT (any time after your junior year PSAT) then compare your ACT scores and test experience with this.
Here is a good tool to compare the data you have from the PSAT and ACT:
Adjusting the testing method to you
If students do better on the ACT than the PSAT, and have not yet taken the SAT, but still want to try their hand at it, there is no rule against them doing so. However, once a student demonstrates a better test, it is best to stick with that test. The one exception to this is if the students hits a wall in their ability to increase their test score. At this point it may be helpful to try “the other test” again to see if they have a “breakthrough”.
Why do students wait until junior year to take the SAT and ACT?
Why wait until junior year for the official SAT and ACT? Many of the math concepts on these tests will not be reviewed until fall of a student’s junior year. Also, sometimes, students “psych themselves out” for later tests if they start on the official test too early.
SAT vs. ACT: the differences
This article highlights the differences between the SAT & ACT to help you determine which test might be your best test. *It is important to note that the ACT made the Science Section optional in 2025; unless you know you want to enter a STEM field in college and afterward, I would refrain from taking the Science. If you plan to study a STEM topic and enter a STEM career, demonstrating a strong Science score can be an indicator of your promise as a future student to a school.
https://www.compassprep.com/digital-sat-vs-paper-act
More Details on Determining Best Test
For juniors the late fall and early winter should be the time they determine which test they “test best on”.
Here is a detailed article providing in-depth guidance on picking your “best test”.
Concordance Table: an important tool to determine your best test
Consult a Concordance Table to accurately compare your SAT and ACT Scores: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/act-to-sat-conversion
| ACT to SAT Score Conversion Chart | The Princeton Review Here’s everything you need to know about concordance between ACT and SAT scores.www.princetonreview.com |
How to attain and use your test results:
Depending on when you take your ACT test you can purchase a Test Information Release (TIR), today referred to by ACT as “My Answer Key”. This enables you to see the test you took, its questions, and the scoring. This can be a great resource by which you make a study plan. You can find TIR / MAK information for the ACT here: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/request-a-copy-of-qa.html
| Request a Copy of Your Questions and Answers – Scores | ACT What is Test Information Release? By purchasing Test Information Release (TIR), you will receive a digital copy of the multiple-choice test questions, your answers, a copy of your answer document, the answer key, and the conversion table used in determining your ACT scores.www.act.org |
Watch the video on the bottom of this page which details how to use your score report to improve on your next SAT test. https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/understanding-scores/your-score-report-explained
| Your SAT Score Report Explained – SAT Suite | College Board The Student Score Reports Portal. The student score reports portal will list all your available SAT Suite of Assessments score reports. The entry for each score report will show the total score and section scores you received for that test.satsuite.collegeboard.org |
Why should a junior strive to complete at least 3 tests and their highest score by Nov. / Dec. of their senior year?
HLS strongly encourages juniors to begin their testing season in the late fall or early winter. Juniors should continue to register for official standardized tests ideally up into the start (through fall) of senior year.
A testing plan might look as follows after determining the best test:
- test with your best test at least twice during junior year (any sitting offered November-May)
- test prep in the summer and take a summer test in Jun-August
- test again in September and, or October of senior year
The Common App and other application portals for college applications open August 1st. Senior year is incredibly demanding as seniors are balancing maintaining good grades, a continued commitment to extracurriculars, and beginning college, honors programs, and scholarship applications, resumes, & interviews. Seniors who have their standardized tests nearly completed before their year starts will have one less thing on their plate. If students have a test score they are happy with by early senior year then they only need worry about sending their scores. Seniors should send their official test scores from their accounts to the schools they are applying to at least two weeks before the application deadline.
TIP #1! Don’t look to sign up for the SAT Essay or SAT Subject Tests.
College Board no longer offers the SAT Essay or the SAT Subject Tests. Read here to learn the history of their exit: https://blog.collegeboard.org/January-2021-sat-subject-test-and-essay-faq
TIP #2! Unless a college you are interested in specifies taking the writing component of the ACT, we do not advise it. If you would like to see which colleges are concerned with this or if you are on the fence about whether to take the writing portion read this.
TIP #3! If you are interested in pursuing a STEM field, consider signing up for the Optional ACT Science Section. Refer toTHIS LISTto see which schools require the Science Section. If there is no interest in a STEM field, I would not suggest taking the Optional Science.
Click on the links below to view and register for upcoming SAT and ACT test dates!
Congratulations for beginning an essential step to your college application process! Once you determine your best test you should make a study plan. Stick to this study plan as you register for the next available test. The best method for retaking tests is to study, test, evaluate, re-study over 1-2 months, and test again. You will notice both the SAT and ACT test schedules offer one test followed by another test in one-to-two month series.
Helpful Resources to Study for the SAT or ACT
There are resources you can begin utilizing as early as middle school or freshman year for SAT and ACT prep. These include the Official Prep Guide books and the following online resources:
ACT (about ACT prep through ACT.org/prep )
SAT (about SAT prep through satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation and KhanAcademy)