ACT, AP, CLEP, PSAT, NMSQT, SAT . . .
A Beginner's Guide to College Entrance Exam Acronyms
By Matthew Bullington
If you have done any research into the college application process you have probably heard of the ACT and the SAT exams, but do you know what they are? As if the application process wasn’t hard enough already, you are bombarded with a whole new list of acronyms to add to all the confusion. What do they stand for, and which exams do you need to take?
ACT: The ACT is one of the two standardized tests for college admission used in the United States (along with the SAT). In case you were wondering, the letters no longer stand for anything: it is just the ACT (formerly stood for “American College Test”). The exam consists of four sections (English, math, reading, and science) and is scored on a 36 point scale. While it has historically been the preferred exam among universities in the mid-west and southern states, most institutions now accept either one (check with the universities you are considering to see if they have a preference). The ACT is generally considered more curriculum based as compared to the SAT, depending more on what facts you learned in high-school English, math, and reading (science is a different story).
SAT: Like the ACT, the SAT is a standardized test for college admission. To even be considered in the application process for most universities you will have to take either the SAT or ACT. While the SAT used to stand for “Scholastic Aptitude Test,” it is now known simply as the SAT. This exam consists of three parts (critical reading, math, and writing) and is scored on a 2400 point scale with the writing test (1600 point scale without). The SAT has, historically, been the exam of choice among universities in the coastal states. In comparison with the ACT, the SAT is considered to be more dependent upon critical reasoning skills.
PSAT or NMSQT: The Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, serves as a tool to prepare for the SAT and is similar in structure (although graded on a 240 scale instead of 2400). However, the PSAT also serves a secondary purpose as the NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). When you take the PSAT in your junior year, you are entered into a nationwide competition to be a National Merit Scholar. Rankings (including Commended, Semifinalist, and Finalist) are given based on how you performed in comparison with your state/region, and can translate into some substantial scholarships at most universities—definitely a test you do not want to miss out on. (Side Note: there is also a preliminary test given for the ACT known as PATH, but it is difficult to have administered in a homeschool setting. Don’t bother with it, and just take the real ACT a time or two as practice).
SAT Subject Tests: There are also specific tests for individual subjects known as the SAT Subject Tests (previously known as SAT IIs or Achievement Tests). Unlike the previously discussed tests, the SAT Subject Tests may be taken any day of the year. These are shorter tests (one hour each) over individual, higher-level subjects, and are required by many of the more selective universities. Check with the universities you are considering to see if these tests are required, and if so what specific tests are required by the programs you are applying for.
AP and CLEP: While not required for entrance into a university, the AP (Advanced Placement) and CLEP (College Level Examination Program) provide students with opportunities to “test out” of certain classes while still receiving credit. They offer exams in a wide variety of subjects, and are an excellent choice if you have strengths in a certain subject. Like the SAT Subject tests, these exams are available on an independently scheduled basis, so you have more flexibility as to when you can take them (you can even take them while attending college).
These are the major exams that you need to be aware about, and I hope the article helped to clear up any confusion. More in-depth articles focusing separately on each exam will be available soon, so check back regularly. Check out the websites of the individual exams (available in the Recommended Sites section), and start preparing for them now.
