College Counseling
College Testing
It is important for students to understand testing requirements for
college. At Westover, each student builds a "testing portfolio," and
the scores that best represent her abilities are used in the college
admission process. The majority of juniors sit for two sessions of the
SAT I Test, two sessions of the ACT test, and two sessions of the SAT
II tests. A student may test in the fall of her senior year to
strengthen her portfolio. Scores for the October tests should be
available before early application deadlines.
Students who become familiar with test formats and a test's time
constraints tend to earn scores that accurately reflect their academic
performance at Westover. We encourage students to spend some time
working with practice materials before they sit for the tests.
- American College Test (ACT)
- Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) & National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)
- Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
- SAT II
American College Test (ACT)
This is a curriculum-based test sponsored by the American Testing
Program. Since the ACT combines elements of aptitude and achievement in
one single test, most colleges will now accept the ACT in lieu of the
SAT I. The test is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. Students
are not penalized for wrong answers, so guessing is encouraged.
Since, students may select which composite score they send to
colleges, Westover encourages students to take the ACT at least twice
(February and April of the junior year). Students may also take
the ACT in October and December of their senior year. The ACT has
become a popular alternative to the SAT I for Westover students.
Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) & National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)
This test is an abbreviated version of the Scholastic Assessment Test
(SAT). It has two sections: verbal and mathematics.
Sophomores at Westover take a practice PSAT in the spring. The
official Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) is offered only
in October. It is a two-hour test that can be administered to
students in the fall of their sophomore and junior years in high
school. Scores are reported on a scale of 20-80. Through
the PSAT test, a student may compete for scholarships under the
National Merit Scholarship Program.
Eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship is based on the PSAT score of a junior in high school only. (When taken in sophomore year, the test is used as practice only.) Scores are reported as a National Merit Selection Index. This index is derived by doubling the verbal score and adding the math score (2V + M = Selection Index). Usually to be ranked as a semifinalist a student must have an index of 200 or more (this varies from year to year and state to state).
Eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship is based on the PSAT score of a junior in high school only. (When taken in sophomore year, the test is used as practice only.) Scores are reported as a National Merit Selection Index. This index is derived by doubling the verbal score and adding the math score (2V + M = Selection Index). Usually to be ranked as a semifinalist a student must have an index of 200 or more (this varies from year to year and state to state).
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
The SAT I is a three-hour assessment test administered six times
yearly. Scores on the three main sections (Critical Reading,
Mathematics and Writing) are
reported on a scale of 200-800. The score is calculated by subtracting
a fraction of the number of incorrect answers from the number of
correct answers; consequently guessing should be limited. Almost every
college candidate should take the SAT I. This instrument is used by
most colleges as an admission test. Westover students take the test in
January and
March of their junior year. Seniors may take the test in the fall.
Students planning to apply for Early Decision or Early Action should
plan to complete all required testing by the end of the junior year.
When a student sends her scores to a college, all scores are reported.
Some institutions will select the best combined score (best Critical
Reading, best Math and best Writing from the testing dates).
SAT II
(Formerly Known as Achievement Tests - ACH)
There are now twenty-three subject-specific tests SAT II Tests available to students. All of the Tests call for one hour of multiple-choice questions. Each test is designed to measure knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge in one subject area. It is best for a student to take an SAT II as close as possible to the end of study in a subject-matter area, while the material is still fresh in her mind. Westover encourages students to take (when possible) at least three SAT II Subject Tests. Not all colleges require Subject Tests, but the majority of colleges that Westover students applied to last year did require Subject Tests. Juniors will take SAT II Tests in May and June of their Junior year, and they have the potential to retest in the fall if it is necessary. Selecting the specific tests to take can be complicated, and each student's strategy is different. Each student should meet with the College Counselor to plan out her testing schedule to play to her strengths.
There are now twenty-three subject-specific tests SAT II Tests available to students. All of the Tests call for one hour of multiple-choice questions. Each test is designed to measure knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge in one subject area. It is best for a student to take an SAT II as close as possible to the end of study in a subject-matter area, while the material is still fresh in her mind. Westover encourages students to take (when possible) at least three SAT II Subject Tests. Not all colleges require Subject Tests, but the majority of colleges that Westover students applied to last year did require Subject Tests. Juniors will take SAT II Tests in May and June of their Junior year, and they have the potential to retest in the fall if it is necessary. Selecting the specific tests to take can be complicated, and each student's strategy is different. Each student should meet with the College Counselor to plan out her testing schedule to play to her strengths.
1237 Whittemore Road
Middlebury, CT
06762-0847
tel: 203-758-2423