Many colleges require that prospective students submit standardized test scores as part of the application packet. These tests provide a consistent way for a college to evaluate you as they are nationally administered.  The most common tests, the SAT and ACT, are required for most four-year colleges and colleges accept either test interchangeably. In general, students are encouraged to take both the ACT and SAT at least once, as students often find that they like one test better than the other.

Standardized test results are only one piece of your college application.  Whereas high school curriculum is different in every high school, the SAT and ACT are standardized.  Therefore, these tests are one-way colleges can compare students from different schools and even different parts of the country.  Even so, colleges consistently rank the strength and rigor of the high school transcript as the most important factor in a student’s admissibility to college.

Some students find that standardized testing does not represent them fully or adequately as a student.  These students feel that their high school transcript provides a more accurate picture of their strengths as a student.  For those who are interested, there is a growing list of colleges and universities that do not require any standardized testing.  This list is constantly growing and can be found at fair test

For most students, the recommended testing time for the SAT or ACT is in 11^th grade.  We recommend giving yourself about 2 months to study for these exams.  Think of it as a season, just like athletics or extracurricular activities.  If you play a fall sport, then taking the March & April exams may be in your best interest as your season will be over.  Similarly, if you participate in the spring musical, maybe taking the November & December administrations would give you more time to study before rehearsals really amp up.  We are happy to talk with you about what might be the best plan.

Students with economic hardship, most often demonstrated by participating in the free/reduced school lunch program, may be eligible for a fee waiver for the different standardized college entrance exams.  Students who believe they are eligible for a fee waiver should see their counselor.

Students with a documented disability may be eligible for testing accommodations.  There is a separate application process for testing accommodation through ACT and College Board (SAT/PSAT, AP).  Each of these requests take about 6-8 weeks to process.  Testing accommodations are not guaranteed but are reviewed individually by the ACT and College Board organizations.

• College Board- BHS will apply for accommodation on College Board exams for all students with IEP and 504 plans at the end of their sophomore year in preparation for the PSAT (or end of freshman if taking an AP course the following year). If your test accommodation requests are approved by College Board, they are approved for ALL future College Board exams.
• ACT- Students must REGISTER for the ACT exam BEFORE we can apply for any testing accommodations. Once registered, please email your School Counselor your registration confirmation to start the request process. 

Registration for all standardized tests are done online through the test’s website.  Registration deadlines tend to be at least a month prior to the exam date.

BHS is a test site for both the SAT and ACT.  Students are able to take it at BHS or at other area locations

The College Board

We offer all juniors the opportunity to take the PSAT during school in October. The PSAT is divided into two main sections: evidence-based reading and writing, and mathematics. Scores from the PSAT are never sent to colleges, but the results are used as the qualifying measure for National Merit Scholarships. 

Like the PSAT, the SAT test includes two required sections: Evidence-based reading and writing, and math.  Registration for the SAT is online at the website above. 

ACT

The ACT Test

The ACT is the other major test used in college admissions. The ACT has four parts: English, Reading, Math, and Science, as well as an optional writing section. Like the SAT, we strongly recommend students take the writing section.  Registration for the ACT is also completed online through their website.

TOEFL

The TOEFL Test

Test TOEFL is the most widely respected English-language proficiency test in the world. TOEFL test scores are accepted by more than 10,000 colleges and universities in 150 countries.  The TOEFL iBT^® test is delivered via the internet in a format that fully integrates all 4 language skills measured: reading, listening, speaking and writing. This test may be required by colleges for students whose first language is not English.