By Evelyn Canales
In the United States, College entrance exams are
required by many colleges in order for a person to enter their institute. Some
of the entrance exams that
are required are the SAT, the ACT, and the TOEFL.
The exams test English and some test math and other
subjects. Any person planning on taking any of these exams must know the area
of studies each exam is going
to test in order for them to prepare because each exam is different. For example
there is the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), which has two kinds; there is
the SAT I and there is the SAT II. The SAT I is required by most colleges. It
tests
the persons knowledge in English, algebra, and geometry.
The ACT (American College Testing) is another exam,
which is somewhat different from the SAT I. The ACT subjects include English,
math, and science.
Another exam is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language); nonnative
English-speaking persons can take this exam. The TOEFL tests the person's
ability in the English language only.
The SAT II is different subject exams - mathematics,
English, science, foreign languages, and history. This means that you can take
an exam in subjects like
chemistry, biology, and others. Some colleges require the applicants to take
the SAT II in certain subjects.
The Michigan Test is another test that is also for persons whose first language
is not English. Montgomery College requires this test. The Michigan test includes
a listening portion, a reading portion, and vocabulary. Students also have to
write an essay. The Michigan Test is for students from other countries who have
been in the U.S. for five years or less.
The Accuplacer is another Montgomery College test. It is an English and math
test. It is for students who are fluent English speakers.
When to Take the Tests
These test are taken mostly
by seniors and juniors in high school planning on entering college after high
school. But some students take
the tests for practice
starting in 9th grade.
Getting Ready for the Tests
Are you confused about all these tests? Teachers may suggest what test you
should take because some students may do better on certain tests than the
others. For
example some teachers recommend their students take the ACT if the student
is strong in science.
It is important to prepare for the exams before taking them. "With ACT
your class notes are one of your stronger points, things you're doing
in class now, because it is so closely related to it," said Sharon Williams,
the College/Career Center Coordinator. Preparation is important because according
to some high school students these tests are not easy. "They're
hard because they have words that we don't understand or we don't
know the definitions of," explains senior Ismael Ventura, who on June
7 took the SAT I for the first time. Now he's preparing to take it again
for the second time.
To help people who are going to take a test, there are many types of courses
that can be taken to prepare for these exams. Schools like Montgomery Blair
High School offer a semester SAT I prep-course which is free. There are also
private
institutes that offer a preparation course, but unlike the Blair High School
course the students must pay for them.
There are also other ways to prepare for these exams. One of the methods
that can be used to prepare for these tests is to take a practice test. To
take an
ACT practice test can go to www.act.org. To get SAT practice materials a
person could go to www.collegeboard.com or go to ask a counselor. At Blair
High School
there's an SAT practice test CD-ROM available for the students. There
are also booklets with practice tests available at the Blair Career Center.
Senior Thanh Chau is a senior who still hasn't taken the SAT I yet. Chau
plans on taking the SATs in November and is hoping that it will help her
get into the University of Maryland. Like Ventura, Chau also thinks that
the SATs
are difficult, especially the English part of the test. But she has been
studying in order to do well on it. "I'm somewhat prepared," explained
Chau. "I've been studying mostly for the English. I think the English
is most difficult."
You Have to Sign Up
A person who will take any of these tests must sign up for them and must
pay for most of them. The SAT exams are administered seven times a year,
in October,
November, December, January, March, May, and in June. One way to register
for the SATs is to register online at www.collegeboard.com or by picking
a form from
the Career Center and mailing it. It's important to register early because
that way a person will have a better chance at taking the test in the place
of their choice. The cost for the SATs is $28.
The ACT is it's given six times a year, in September, October, December,
February, April, and June. You also have to register for the ACT. Register
online at www.act.com. The cost for the ACT is $26.
The TOEFL is given throughout the year. It's
better to register early because the test centers fill quickly. The cost for
the TOEFL is $130.
If a person is unable to pay for these exams there are ways that they can
get the price reduced. Blair students can visit Blair's Career Center. The
coordinator there will help them. "They have actually a waiver program, Ms.
Williams said. "The income guideline for their waiver is extremely low,
but what we will to do is request a waiver from our portion here for $65. Then
request a waiver for the other half through the ETS organization that handles
it.
Once May Not Be Enough
A person taking any of these exams should plan to take them more than once.
Many schools look at the highest score a student gets on the tests.
