Testing Types
Finals
Each class you take (except for certain dual enrollment classes) ends with a final exam that usually counts for 1/9 of the final class grade. If the class is semester-based, you take the final at the end of the semester, and if it’s year-long, you take it at the end of the year. You can be exempt from the final if you take an SOL in the subject of that class, if you are a senior and have a B average or above in the class, or if you take an AP test in the subject of the class. However, the exemption rules change almost every year, so check with your school counselor to verify your exam exemption eligibility.
If your grade in the class is not good, it’s better to take the exam to improve it, even if you are eligible for an exemption.
Note: Because the exam counts for 1/9 of the final grade, it will only hurt you if you have to take it and don’t. If you have a good grade in the class, failing the exam will usually not lead to you failing the class. The exam is also not likely to change your grade much except if you are close to a cutoff in a letter grade. For example, if you are at a B- and do poorly, your final grade could become a C, but it would be very hard for it to become a D.
SOL testing
During high school, you will have to take a few SOL tests. More specifically, you need to take one in science (biology or chemistry), one in any math, one in a history / social studies class, and two in English (in junior year). The good news is that you only need to pass them, and your grade does not count towards a class grade or your GPA. You can also use SOLs to get exempt from the class final (this could change in the next years). To pass, you need to achieve 400/600 and above. Even though you must pass all of them to graduate, you can retake them or take them in another class if you fail. For example, if you fail the Algebra I SOL, you can take the Geometry SOL after finishing that course. If you fail the English 11 one, there are dates for retaking it. Talk to your counselor about the SOL tests you must take each year and the retesting options.
For more information: High School SOL Testing Changes FAQ
psat
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test or PSAT is administered to high school sophomores and juniors to prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). In the 2022-2023 school year, sophomores took the test in February and juniors in October.
The test does not count toward GPA, but high school juniors taking the test can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship based on their PSAT scores. Colleges you apply to cannot see your PSAT results.
For more information: National Merit Scholarship and student eligibility
sat (optional)
The Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT is a college entry exam that can be used to showcase academic performance to colleges both in the US and abroad. It is administered by the college board once every March, May, April, June, August, October, November, and December. The dates vary each year. It lasts 3 hours and 15 minutes with the brakes; the highest score is 1600.
The test has four sections
- Reading
- Writing and Language
- Math (no calculator)
- Math (with calculator)
- Essay (optional)
The College Board will also start administering a new digital version of the SAT.
To take the math with calculator section of the SAT, you will need to purchase and bring your own calculator. It must be a model approved for the SAT.
After the pandemic, many Universities and Colleges became test-optional, meaning they don’t require tests like the SAT as part of the application process but they still consider them if the student decides to submit them. These policies are updated every year, so if you are interested in attending a US College, check its website regularly for changes.
How to prepare
- Preparation books (include explanations of the material and practice tests)
- Khan Academy (online platform with videos, notes, exercises, and practice tests created in collaboration with College Board)
- Tutoring in person or online
- Peer tutoring in person or online through platforms like Schoolhouse.world
In this platform, your tutor will be a high school student who received a high score on the SAT and became a certified tutor.
ACT (optional)
The American College Testing or ACT is another test used to enter a US University as an undergraduate student. It lasts 2 hours and 55 minutes; the highest score is 36.
The test has four sections
- English
- Math
- Reading
- Science
- Writing section (optional)
You can practice using books and tutors
For more information: The ACT Test for Students
Choosing between the sat and the ACT
The SAT and the ACT are two different tests used for college entry. It is important to be familiar with both to choose the one that fits you best. Some students take both and submit the best score to colleges. For most if not all universities, it makes no difference whether you submit the SAT or the ACT.
AP Tests
- Optional tests offered by College Board on each AP class
- You can take the test even if you don’t take the class
- Exam period: May
- Exam dates vary each year
- Sign-up deadline is usually in November
- Grade on the AP test does NOT count toward the class grade
- Grades are usually released in July
- The test can be used to earn you college credit in many US Universities but not in other countries
- If you take the AP test, you can be exempt from the final exam in the class, and the AP test’s score will still NOT count towards the class grade
If your grade in the class is not great, it would be better to study for and take the final to improve your grade even if you took the AP exam. However, you don’t have to.