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To locate information about test fees, dates, and registration procedures, click on the test below.  The Meadows School's CEEB code is 290116.

The Major Types of Tests

PSAT/NMSQT - The PSAT/NMSQT is given to all freshman, sophomores, and juniors in October during the school day. The ninth- and tenth-grade administration is used exclusively for practice. The eleventh-grade results serve as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) which is owned and operated by the National Merit Foundation and co-owned by The College Board. Only the junior score is used for National Merit consideration.

SAT Reasoning Exam - The new SAT Reasoning exam reflects recent changes made to the PSAT. This 3 hour and 45 minute exam focuses on writing, critical reading (a name change from verbal), and mathematical reasoning ability. The writing section, with a 25 minute essay, (replacing the Writing Subject Test) is designed to provide colleges with a better measure of writing reasoning and critical thinking skills. The critical reading name change reflects the elimination of analogies and emphasis on reading skills. Math quantitative comparisons have been eliminated in favor of enhanced college preparatory math (Algebra II). It is recommended that students take the SAT Reasoning exam for the first time in the spring of the junior year and again in October or November of the senior year. All testing should be finalized by the end of December senior year. 

SAT Individual Subject Exams - There are nearly 20 offered in major academic disciplines. In addition to the SAT Reasoning, many competitive colleges (about 50 in number) require two or sometimes three SAT Subject tests. An hour in length, students may take up to three on any designated date.  Please note that all tests are not administered on all dates. Subject exams should be taken as soon as possible after the student completes the studying of a single subject, for instance Physics, but as late as possible for subjects that are cumulative in nature like math. If considering "most selective colleges," it is recommended that you take two or three Subject exams by June* of the junior year. They may be taken again in November* or December of the senior year. Teachers are in the best position to advise students on which tests they are best prepared to take. All testing should be finalized by the end of December senior year. 

* Test dates preferred by The Meadows college counseling department.

ACT (American College Testing Program) - The ACT is another standardized college entrance test given several times a year. The test consists of four 35 to 50 minute sections and measures achievement in four areas: English usage, mathematics usage, reading comprehension, and science reasoning, and is curriculum based. In February of 2005, ACT added a 30-minute "optional" writing assessment. Post-secondary schools will shortly be making the decision whether the writing assessment will be required. Students at The Meadows are advised to sit for this optional section and are asked to check the requirements of the colleges/universities they are considering before registering. Most colleges across the country accept the ACT. For a test comparison of the SAT and ACT see the concordance table below.

AP - Advanced Placement - These three-hour examinations are based on a full-year college-level course in high school. If enrolling in an AP course, students are expected to sit for the exam in May. Academically qualified freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to include AP courses in their schedules.

Remember The Meadows School's CEEB code is 290116.

The Meadows School is a test center for both the ACT and the SAT throughout the year.  Refer to the registration materials published by the testing agencies for the specific dates of administration.  The testing calendar below lists the test dates, registration deadlines, the recommended grade-level for testing, and the preferred date of testing by grade-level.

See the FAQ section of this Web page for information on how to register for these tests.

SAT and ACT Concordance Table

2008 – 2009 Testing Calendar

June 25, 2008

Standardized Testing

SAT Online Registration

                   http://cbweb1.collegeboard.org/sat/html/satform.html

ACT Online Registration

                   http://www.act.org/aap/regist/elecreg.html

SAT/PSAT Guidelines for Students with Disabilities

                   http://www.collegeboard.com/disable/students/html/indx000.htm