Back to College & Career

College Admission Testing

-THE 2 STANDARDIZED ADMISSION TESTS ARE THE ACT AND THE SAT-

Some schools require admission testing to be submitted in order to review your application.
*Please also see the Test Optional subpage- a great option for some students!*

Scroll below for info to help you make the right testing choices for yourself.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out!

TESTING NEWS/ UPDATES:

Test Optional Overview

Check our FairTest.org for the must up to date info:

  • Test Optional has been an option at certain colleges since the early 2000’s. As a former admission counselor at Ithaca College, Ms. Sleight has been able to see first hand how admission offices can soundly and credibly make admissions decisions without test scores. Prior to COVID-19 over 1,000 reputable schools were test optional.

  • Test optional has been a long debated topic in College Admission, many citing that standardized testing measures test prep rather than actual student aptitude.

  • Schools pledge to go test optional because they are committed to the idea that standardized testing limits access and brings up issues of equity. They see students as more than just a test score they took one time.

  • It has been stated in various places that there is not a significant correlation between test scores and a students future success/graduation rates at college

  • Data has shown that students from wealthier families are more likely to score higher on tests, therefore removing the barrier of testing allows a schools application pool to be open to a wider range of students.

  • As we know, due to COVID-19 colleges have moved to being test optional. Some colleges are promoting this change as a direct result of the coronavirus, while others are announcing the change more permanently. Some are calling it a "pilot" for the next few years. It varies based on the school and their administration.

  • An example of a college that has released a statement explaining their new policy and explaining how they will review applications without test scores is Cornell University

Accommodations Testing

Students with a disability may be eligible for accommodations for standardized testing

Every student's circumstance varies, for personalized assistance:

  • Students with an an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) please contact your Case Manager for more details.

  • Students with a 504, please contact your School Counselor for more info.

Articles of Interest

Testing Dates -2022-2023-

SAT Test Dates and Deadlines
Getting Your Teen Ready for the SAT

August 27, October 1, November 5,
December 3, March 11, May 6, June 3

ACT Test Dates and Deadlines
The Princeton Review
College Admission Standardized Testing
ACT & SAT Concordance Chart
Test Prep Providers

ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT TESTING WITH ACCOMMODATIONS:

Please see the links below from each respective organization for specific information about their testing procedures:

SAT

ACT

Submitting Scores

All students are responsible for submitting test scores directly from ACT or CollegeBoard (SAT). CHS cannot submit scores for you

Colleges will either want your test scores to be submitted "officially" or "unofficially"
Some schools allow you to self-report your test scores, while others don't allow it. Read below to find out the differences between all the submission options!

UNOFFICIAL TEST SCORES

Unofficial Test Scores- Test scores that you are self-reporting on your application and are not coming directly from the test provider. Essentially you are entering in your test scores while you fill out your application. The benefits of being able to self-report your test scores are:
1. You don't have to wait for the CB or ACT to send your scores
2. You save money! In order to submit test scores officially you have to pay for the providers to send your scores.

You will need to be truthful and honest in reporting your test scores. If you commit to a school that allowed you to self-report unofficial test scores, before you can actually enroll in classes you will have to send your scores officially to prove you were being honest in your reporting. If what you reported doesn't match your actual score, schools may withdraw their offer of admission!

OFFICIAL TEST SCORES

Official Test Scores- Test scores that are sent officially through the test provider. Meaning you request your score(s) to be sent via the CollegeBoard (SAT) or The ACT. Depending on which test you have taken you can request scores to be sent via the CollegeBoard and the ACT website.You will need to pay a fee to submit these scores.

You don't have to wait for the CB or ACT to send your scores the schools in order to apply to them. This process often takes at minimum 2 weeks.

SAT

ACT

The listing is provided by The Compass Education Group and not endorsed by any school in particular, so it is always recommended that you double check with the actual schools that the info is accurate!

test optional

Fair Test logo

Over the years there has been a growing surge of schools that "de-emphasize"
the use of standardized test scores in the admissions process.

These schools recognize that test scores are not always the best determinant of a students academic success and potential, choosing to place an emphasis on other
factors for admission.

quote

John Latting's take on Tests in the Admission Process

(Dean of Admission Emory University)