College Admissions Testing

PSAT

• The PSAT is a standardized test usually taken in 10th or 11th grade.

• The PSAT lasts just under three hours and tests your math, reading, and writing abilities.

• The exam is designed to prepare you for the SAT and gauge college readiness.

• It's also the qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarships for students taking it during 11th grade.

• Fulton County Schools pays for students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade to take the PSAT. 

• The PSAT is typically administered in October.

Article About the PSAT

PSAT Scores

To get your PSAT scores, you need to check your College Board account. If you provided your mobile phone number on the day of the PSAT, you can check the BigFuture mobile app for access to your scores. You can also access scores through your College Board account as long as it matches the personal email address you provided when signing up for the PSAT.

SAT

The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based test created and administered by the College Board. 

• The SAT evaluates prospective college students' math, reading, and writing skills.
• The popular college entrance exam takes three hours and consists of over 150 questions.
• Starting in 2024, the SAT will go digital, cut the number of questions, and take just two hours.

Students typically take the SAT in their Junior year or summer before senior year.

Article About the SAT

ACT

• The ACT is one of the most popular standardized college entrance exams in the U.S.
• The three-hour test measures college readiness in English, math, reading, and science.
• Test-takers can also sit for an optional essay section.
• Scoring well on the ACT is a strong indicator of success your first year of college.

Article About the ACT

 

Free ACT and SAT Test Prep

• Khan Academy offers free personalized practice for the SAT. khanacademy.org/sat.

• Free ACT help through ACT 

• Free SAT and ACT test prep is available through Streamable Learning. To access the videos, go to Classlink> Safari Montage> Streamable Learning> Recordings> Choose ACT Prep or SAT Prep and Submit.

• The Atlanta-Fulton Public library offers free test prep. You must have an active AFPLS library card. Go to https://www.fulcolibrary.org/ and then Service> Digital Library> For Teens> College Prep.  Scroll down for two options: Learning Express and Peterson’s Test Prep.

You can register to take the SAT on the College Board website. Many students already have a College Board account because they have already taken the PSAT or an AP class.

Register to take the ACT on their website.