College Admissions Testing

PSAT/SAT/ACT
The Windsor Central High School Guidance and Counseling Department has specific information on dates for the tests described, registration, materials and the fee charged for each.

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) co-sponsors the PSAT/NMSQT, which stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The scholarship competitions are for high school juniors and are based on a Selection Index — the sum of Critical Reading, Math and Writing Skills scores.

Each PSAT/NMSQT score — Critical Reading, Math and Writing Skills —
is based on a scale of 20-80.

College Board Tests (SAT I and SAT II)
The SAT I is a three-hour and forty-five minute test that measures the critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and writing skills that students need to do college-level work. The test’s three sections are divided into nine subsections, including a 25 minute essay.

The SAT II Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple choice tests. They’re designed to show your child’s knowledge, and ability to apply that knowledge, in specific subject areas including; English, History, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and Languages.

Selective colleges and universities may require the SAT II as part of the admissions requirements along with the SAT. See your counselor for more details.

The American College Test (ACT)
The ACT is a college entrance exam. It assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-
level work.
  • The multiple choice tests cover four skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science.
  • The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and
  • writing a short essay.
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