what test must you take to get into college course

by Linwood Smith 6 min read

  • Needed Tests. For the majority of college-bound students, there’s really only one test that you’ll NEED to take: the SAT or ACT.
  • Recommended Tests. Students intending to apply to selective colleges should go beyond the SAT and the ACT to include AP exams or IB exams in their college admissions timeline.
  • Great Practice. And then there are the tests that offer some really valuable practice. These tests include the PSAT 8/9, the PSAT 10, and the PSAT/NMSQT.
  • When to Test. Once you figure out which tests to take, you need to figure out when to take them. Juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT in October that year.
  • Plan for the college admissions test. Prepping for any one of these tests is a marathon, not a sprint. ...

Top 7 Entrance Exams and College Tests
  • ACT (American College Test) ...
  • SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) ...
  • SAT Subject Tests. ...
  • CLT (Classic Learning Test) ...
  • AP Test (Advanced Placement Test) ...
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) ...
  • GED (General Education Development)

What tests do colleges require high school applicants to take?

Most colleges require high school applicants to take standardized tests such as the SAT Reasoning Test or the American College Test. Colleges usually require the SAT as a standard with the ACT as a substitute for missing SAT requirements.

What kinds of college entrance exams are there?

What Kinds of College Entrance Exams are There? 1 PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) 2 SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) 3 SAT Subject Tests 4 ACT (American College Test) 5 TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 6 AP (Advanced Placement) 7 GED (General Education Development)

What are the requirements to get into college?

Requirements to get into college vary from each institution, but one thing remains a constant, test scores. Most colleges require high school applicants to take standardized tests such as the SAT Reasoning Test or the American College Test. Colleges usually require the SAT as a standard with the ACT as a substitute for missing SAT requirements.

What exams can help you get into a college?

Exams to help you get admitted to undergrad college. Also includes exams to get you appropriately placed in the right college courses or into the best online colleges. Achieving a top score on the ACT can help you get into the college of your choice. Use our free practice tests to ace your ACT exam!

What are the different types of placement tests?

Types of Placement Tests. There are usually three main placement tests. They test math, reading and writing abilities. You may need to brush up on these skills before testing time. Not all community colleges use the same placement tests. Look at the school’s website to determine which test they use. Usually, information about placement testing can ...

What to know about paper tests?

Things to know about tests on paper: You can go back and check or change your answers when you are done answering all the questions, if you have time. You do not need to know how to use a computer to take it. You can work out math problems right in the test booklet. But: The test is timed.

What happens if you brush up on skills on the test?

If you give yourself time to brush up on some of the skills on the test, you increase your chances of doing well on the test and starting in a higher-level class than you would otherwise. Your college’s website may have test preparation information or links to other test preparation websites.

Where can I find placement test information?

Usually, information about placement testing can be found in the Admissions section of the college’s website. Here are some of the more commonly-used tests and some ways to prepare for them: ACCUPLACER or CPT– computer test. To practice for the Accuplacer test, check out the Test Prep Review website. You can also check your college’s website ...

Can you fail a placement test?

You cannot fail a placement test. But you still need to study! The test determines what courses you will be placed in when you begin at college. Depending on your score, you may need to take extra developmental courses or you may be able to start regular college courses right away.

Do I need to take SAT or ACT to go to college?

Most adults going to college for the first time are not expected to provide SAT or ACT scores. Instead, colleges may expect students to take a placement test after their acceptance at the school. The placement test determines how prepared you are to do college-level work.

Do placement tests count towards a degree?

Some schools use one test for people who want to take ESL courses that don’t count towards a degree, and a different test for people who want to take college courses to get a degree.

What is college entrance exam?

What Are College Entrance Exams. College entrance exams are standardized aptitude tests used to evaluate students for college admissions purposes. The first thing you do once you’ve decided which universities you plan on applying to is to check the admissions requirements to figure out which college entrance exams are required by ...

What is the score on AP exam?

AP exams are scored from 1-5 and scores are based on a student’s performance relative to all other students who have taken that particular exam. Scoring a 4 or 5 will count as college credit at many colleges and universities.

How to register for TOEFL?

How to Register: To register for the TOEFL follow this link and click on “begin registration.”. You will be prompted to choose a test date and test location (either at a local test center or online). You will then be prompted to register with your name, address and some basic info before paying the registration fee.

What is TOEFL test?

The TOEFL is a standardized test which evaluates a student’s mastery of English and readiness to study at a college level in English. Often required for students applying from abroad, the TOEFL can be taken online or as a written test. The TOEFL has four sections: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

What is a GED?

GED (General Education Development) The GED exam, designed for individuals who didn’t graduate from high school, is a test to earn a high school education equivalency certificate. This exam tests the general knowledge that would be gained in a traditional four-year high school education.

What is the SAT score?

This test has three sections: Reading, Writing and Language; Math; and an optional essay section. Each section is scored from 200-800, meaning students can score anywhere from 400-1600 on the whole test (the optional essay is scored separately).

How often do you take the SAT?

How to Register: SAT Subject Tests are generally offered six times a year in January, May, June, October, November, and December on the same days that the SAT is offered, but students planning to take these tests should check the College Board Website to make sure of specific dates.

How many hours of study do you need to be coached?

In a study conducted by the College Entrance Examination Board, coached students only got 1 more question correct than un-coached students in language and math, for 25 to 30 extra hours and 8 extra hours of study, respectively. Always triple check the requirements for college before sending off your completed application.

What are college core units?

College Core Units. In a sense, college units are already taken during high school. Core courses such as English, Math and Science that are taken at a preparatory level fulfill the prerequisites for applicable college courses. For example, English 101/1A in colleges typically requires 4 years of high-school level English.

How many years of foreign language education do I need to go to college?

Colleges note these requirements in either years of education or equivalent college units. In addition, 3 to 4 years of foreign language education is a common requirements for college.

Do I need to take the SAT to get into college?

Most colleges require high school applicants to take standardized tests such as the SAT Reasoning Test or the American College Test. Colleges usually require the SAT as a standard with the ACT as a substitute for missing SAT requirements. There are no designated scores to pass or fail the SAT or ACT in themselves;

What are the requirements for a high school to be selective?

In most cases, the strongest applicants to highly selective colleges will have four years of math (including calculus), four years of science, and four years of a foreign language. If your high school doesn't offer advanced language courses ...

What does "minimum" mean in college?

Always keep in mind that the "minimum" simply means you won't be disqualified immediately. The strongest applicants typically exceed the minimum requirements.

Is it hard to meet the requirements for high school?

In general, it isn't difficult to meet these requirements if you put in a little effort as you plan your high school courses with your guidance counselor. The bigger challenge is for students applying to highly selective schools that want to see high school coursework that goes well beyond minimum core requirements.

Is high school record important for college application?

Always keep in mind that your high school record is the most important part of your college application . When selecting classes, you may be handicapping yourself on the college admissions front if you take the easy path.

Can you be disqualified from college without taking remedial classes?

Students without these classes may be automatically disqualified for admission (even at open-admissions colleges), or they may be admitted provisionally and need to take remedial courses to gain an appropriate level of college readiness.

Do colleges look for core courses?

While admissions standards vary greatly from one school to another, nearly all colleges and universities will be looking to see that applicants have completed a standard core curriculum. As you choose classes in high school, these core courses should always get top priority.

What are the nonacademic measures of college admissions?

Nonacademic measures such as integrity and initiative are increasingly important, especially at the nation’s most selective schools.

Does Thomas Aquinas College require letters of recommendation?

Seeing applicants who are “excited and deeply engaged has made the difference,” said Jon Daly, the admissions director at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California, which requires several essays and letters of recommendation as part of its application process.

What is the college level exam?

If your college or university accepts credit by examination, chances are that they accept the College Level Examination Program, commonly known as CLEP. This exam is accepted at over 2,900 schools across the nation, and it’s basically the gold-standard for credit by examination. All of their tests are also reviewed and accepted by ACE Credit, which is the organization that determines the general standards for how schools handle credit for prior learning.

What can I do with my college credits by taking specific exams?

By taking specific exams on the same topics covered by your entry-level or intermediate college courses, you may be able to earn credit, save money, and knock a semester or more off your degree program!

How do I get a Clep?

Here are some quick facts about the CLEP to get you started: 1 They offer 33 different tests that cover a broad range of college-level subjects 2 The testing fee is $89—although the testing center may require an additional fee 3 Study guides and e-guides are available for purchase to help prepare you for the test 4 There are hundreds of different testing sites across the U.S. for these exams

How many colleges accept DSST?

Over 1,900 colleges and universities accept credit from DSST tests. Over 30 exams in various topics are offered. Each test covers 100 questions and must be completed in two hours. First-attempt exams are fully-funded for veterans and military members!

What is credit examination?

In its simplest form, credit by examination is the process of taking subject-specific tests in an attempt to earn college credit for courses within your degree program.

How much does it cost to pass a college credit exam?

With fees that are typically less than $100, passing an exam for college credit has a huge potential to save you a lot of money (and time!) when pursuing your degree.

What to do after passing AP test?

Once you’ve passed the AP test, your school may do one of three things: Offer you advanced standing in your degree program (without credit earned) Award credit hours towards your degree. Provide you with both advanced standing and college credit.

What GPA do I need to get into college?

To get into any four-year college, your GPA should be at least a 2.0 or higher. If you’re aiming for selective colleges (less than 60% acceptance rate), you should shoot for at least a 3.5. Remember, these estimates aren’t necessarily accurate for every student or every college.

What is the minimum GPA for a selective school?

For even mildly selective schools (think 60-80 percent acceptance), you should have at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA. Once you start thinking about even more selective colleges (less than 60 percent acceptance), GPA standards are usually around a 3.5 or higher.

What is the average GPA in high school?

The national average unweighted GPA for high school students is a 3.0 (a B average), but this is for all students, including those who don’t plan to attend college. Students who do attend college will have slightly higher GPAs on average.

What GPA do I need to get into Grand Canyon University?

For example, Grand Canyon University accepts students with a 2.5 GPA if they've scored at least a 1000 on the SAT or a 19 on the ACT. However, students who don't meet a college's GPA requirements are less likely ...

How much GPA do I need to get into UC Davis?

For University of California schools, the admissions guidelines state that non-residents (out of state students) should earn at least a 3.4 GPA to be admitted to a UC campus. You will also need to take certain courses to be eligible for admission. UC Davis admissions statistics for Fall 2019. Source: UC Davis.

Is a good GPA good?

General statistics are all well and good, but your GPA standards should really be determined by your individual college goals. You may not plan on applying to a college that provides concrete GPA requirements, but you can still estimate what it takes to get into the schools that interest you.

Can you circumvent college GPA requirements?

So while it's possible to circumvent college GPA requirements, you shouldn’t count on special circumstances to bail you out.

What is the test of academic skills?

TEAS. The Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) exam is one of the most common tests required of aspiring nurses. It covers reading, science, English, and math, and has shown it to be a good predictor of students’ preparedness for entering the field of healthcare.

How many questions are asked in the computerized test?

The number of questions depends on how you take the test. Computerized tests have 40 verbal and 40 quantitative reasoning questions, with 2 analytical writing tasks. The written test has 50 questions each for verbal and quantitative reasoning, with 2 analytical writing tasks.

What is the GRE test?

If this sounds like the right option for you, you might be required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) prior to admission. This general test measures verbal skills, quantitative reasoning skills, and analytical writing ability. Subject Tests also exist in areas such as biology and chemistry.

What is PAX exam?

Administered by the National League for Nursing (NLN), the NLN Pre-Admission Exam (PAX) is one of the most frequently used entrance exams for nurses. It measures your verbal ability and understanding of math and science.

What is the nursing entrance test?

The Nursing Entrance Test (NET) is another commonly used exam that covers basic high school-level knowledge in the topics of reading and math. Administered through specific schools, it also aims to assess your decision-making skills, learning style, and how you handle stressful situations.

What are the nursing exams?

Healthcare Exams. Many nursing programs use exams that are designed for healthcare professionals of all kinds. While not specifically centered on nursing, these tests assess similar comprehension and critical thinking abilities that are necessary for anyone in the medical field.

What is the Kaplan Nursing School Admissions Test?

Using the Kaplan Nursing School Admissions Test, colleges around the country assess the potential for a student to succeed in nursing school. It measures performance and gaps in the areas of reading, writing, math, science, and critical thinking.

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What Is An Entrance Exam For College?

  • College entrance exams are tests that four-year colleges and universities commonly require and are taken in the junior or senior year of high school. They are used to assess a student’s ability in academic subjects such as math and also to test verbal, writing, and analytical skills. Some technical and community colleges require taking a college ex...
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The Most Popular College Exams

  • At this point, you’re probably thinking, “While I can see the benefit of these college tests, how do I know which one to take when there are so many options?” While there are many college entrance exams, there are two that students are most likely to encounter. The American College Test, known as the ACT,is a college test that is more popular than the SAT exam in the South and Mid…
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A Look at Other Entrance Examination Options

  • Although the ACT and SAT are the most commonly taken college entrance exams, there are a few others that are certainly worth mentioning. The CLT, the Classic Learning Test, is a new alternative college entrance exam that was developed in 2015. It is currently accepted at a small number of religious Christian and Catholic schools and some secular liberal art colleges. The test is taken …
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How Important Are Test Scores?

  • Now more than ever, the debate over whether typical college entrance exams are effective is on the rise. While the college tests do provide schools with information about whether a student is equipped to handle difficult college classes, there has been a recent movement to get rid of standardized testing. The strongest argument is the lack of equity facing students who are fro…
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Closing Thoughts

  • Before you decide which of the many college entrance exams to take, it’s important to take the time to consider your academic aspirations. Depending on your goals, some exams may be more suitable to take than others. You can also consider attending an online university, like the University of the People, that doesn’t require an entrance examination. By attending, you gain ac…
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