SAT/ACT at a Glance

West High School code: 053521

PreACT - The PreACT test provides students with practice for the ACT test and measures of progress towards college readiness. Schoolwide adoption of the PreACT improves ACT test scores, interest-major fit, and college score-sending behavior. 

When do you  take the PreACT? - Sophomores take the PreACT in October on College and Career Day.

PSAT - tests the same skills as the SAT. The PSAT gives students the opportunity to gain experience taking standardized college admissions exams. For juniors, taking the PSAT exam can qualify students for National Merit Scholarship funds. The PSAT is offered once a year, in October. 

When do you take the PSAT? - Juniors take the PSAT in October on College and Career Day.

SAT - A three and one-half hour multiple choice test that measures verbal, mathematical, and writing skills necessary for success in college work. The SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800 per sections. Most colleges and universities require the SAT (or the ACT) for admission. Students register for the exam through https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat

When do you take the SAT? - Students should take the SAT during the spring of their junior year and fall of senior year.

ACT - The ACT exam is divided into 4 parts: English, Math, Social Science, and Natural Science. There is also an optional Writing section which may be required by some schools (for example the UC's). The test is approximately three and one-half hours long. Each of the individual parts of the ACT receives a separate score (one a scale of 1-36), and there is also a composite score. The composite score is the score most often used by colleges and universities. Most colleges and universities require the ACT (or the SAT) for admission. Students register for the exam through www.actstudent.org

When do you take the ACT? - Students should take the ACT during the spring of their junior year and the fall of senior year.

**For more information regarding the tests, please visit your Naviance account.**