Basic Standardized Test Information
- The PSAT is a test given once a year in October. Many students take the PSAT, not only as preparation for the SAT, but also because it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. However, it is only the scores from the PSAT taken in a student's junior year that are considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition. This National Merit Scholarship Competition awards approximately 8,200 scholarships annually. The selection process starts with the choosing of National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists and Commended Scholars. Cutoffs vary from state to state but typically Semi-Finalists score in the top one percent of students in their state and Commended Scholars between the top one to four percent. Most of the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists become Finalists, and half of those ultimately receive National Merit Scholarships. NLHS students who are interested in signing up to take the PSAT need to email their counselor. The test is given to the first 30 students who sign up and is an optional test.
- The PreACT is given to each North Carolina 10th grader free of charge. The PreACT is used to help students prepare for the ACT. Students will get reports that will help them prepare for the ACT. Students do not need to register for this administration. The PreACT is given in October.
- The SAT measures critical reading and mathematics abilities, and is a test that predicts college performance. This test is for 4-year college-bound students. Students interested in taking the SAT will need to register themselves at www.collegeboard.org
- The ACT measures educational development in English, math, reading, and science; and is a test that predicts freshman year college performance. The ACT is given to all NC high school juniors in the spring semester of each school year. Students do not need to register for this test administration. It is important for students to take their time and try their best on this test since it can be used for college admission.
- Following the COVID pandemic, the UNC System stopped requiring test scores for college applications. This applies to the Class of 2024, however, no decision has been made for the the graduating classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027. Most colleges and universities will accept either test (SAT or ACT) for admission, but check to be sure. Some highly competitive colleges require SAT Subject Tests. The SAT Subject Tests measure performances in specific subjects, usually math or foreign language, and are often used by the colleges for placement purposes. Registering and taking the first SAT or ACT is often one of the first major steps in the college application process.
- Be sure to have your scores sent to the colleges and scholarship agencies to which you are planning to apply. This information is part of the registration package and is an important section to be completed appropriately. It is free to send your scores to four colleges of your choice at the time you register; however, if you wait to do this later, it will cost for each set of scores. When signing up to take the ACT or the SAT, not only should you send your scores to the college/universities to which you have applied, but you must also send them to the NCAA for athletic eligibility consideration, if you plan to play sports in college (Code: 9999).
- Take time to familiarize yourself with the instructions and sample questions sent by the testing service. You may want to take one of the SAT prep courses that are offered. SAT and ACT Practice Booklets and Practice Tests are available in your high school’s counseling department. These booklets show students how to get ready for the SAT/ACT, types of questions and content they will see on the test, sample questions, a practice test, and a scoring guide. There are also many websites that offer ACT and SAT test preparation. USE THEM!!!!
- Only those students on the four year college/university pathway and planning to attend a four year college or university need to take the SAT. These tests are not required for students planning to enter a two year technical college or community college (even those planning to follow the 2 + 2 plan). Students on the college/university pathway should plan to take the SAT/ACT during exam time of their junior year, preferably after passing Math III. Students should plan to take the SAT/ACT twice during their junior year and, if necessary, a third time at the beginning of their senior year.
- COLLEGE MINIMUM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS - The 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina have minimum admissions requirements. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a minimum combined SAT (Reading + Math) score of 1010 which is equivalent to a composite score of 19 on the ACT.
- FEE WAIVER INFORMATION - High school students in the U.S. or U.S. territories who can't afford to pay test fees may be eligible for SAT fee waivers. Students must be in 11th or 12th grade to use an SAT fee waiver. Some scholarships/grants request financial fee waiver certification. Students are only allowed to get TWO fee waivers for each test. Please do not obtain a fee waiver and then decide not to use it. It cannot be replaced. To obtain the fee waiver, please email your school counselor. To be eligible, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. (See your school counselor for details.)
- Enrollment in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g. Federal TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
- Family receives public assistance.
- Lives in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or is homeless.
- A ward of the state or an orphan.
- Students interested in enlisting in the military should take the ASVAB. The ASVAB is a test given to to assess an individual's natural abilities and skills. Each branch of the military requires the ASVAB for entrance. There are many practice tests available online. You can start with www.asvabpracticetests.com.
- All 12th graders who will graduate with a CTE course concentration will take the WorkKeys test. Students will be notified about whether or not they are required to test by their School Counselor. The WorkKeys is administered by the ACT and tests a student's work skills, interests, values, and work related behaviors. Students are issued a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) upon completion of the test. The CRC can be part of a student's resume on job applications.