Standardized Testing Statement

Despite the enormous amount of publicity standardized testing receives, it is important to know that the SAT, ACT and/or SAT Subject Tests are not the most important part of the college application process. The attention these tests receive and the money spent on preparing for these tests are disproportionate to the importance of these scores in the process.

How important are standardized tests in the college process?

This is an excellent question to ask a college representative or to research on a college website. The vast majority of colleges are more concerned with a high school transcript – a student's grades and the challenge-level of courses taken – as the transcript provides information about academic performance on a day-to-day basis. The SAT, ACT and SAT Subject Tests give colleges an indication of a student's performance in a national context.

In general, large public universities will weight standardized test scores almost as much as the transcript. Because of the large applicant pool, these universities will look at the objective information more than the subjective parts of an application.

Medium to small colleges tend to place the majority of the weight on a student's transcript. Other factors such as the written essay, recommendations, extra-curricular activities, and interviews may be weighted equally with standardized test scores.

Keep in mind that over 800 colleges in the U.S. are testing-optional, meaning that a student has the choice of whether or not he/she wants SAT, ACT, and/or SAT Subject Test scores to be considered in the application process. Additional information on these colleges can be found at http://www.fairtest.org.

Which test(s) do I take in the ninth grade?

EXPLORE Test - Each Pinewood freshman will have the opportunity to take the EXPLORE test in early fall. Pinewood School will handle all registration requirements for this test; no action is required on the part of the family and it is not necessary to prepare for the exam. The EXPLORE test is administered in order to assess academic readiness and provide early practice for the ACT.
We do not recommend that students take the SAT or the ACT during or following the ninth grade. A student may be invited to attend a program like the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth or the Duke TIP program that requires SAT scores for eligibility; however, it is not necessary to take the SAT or ACT this early in high school.

Which test(s) do I take in the tenth grade?

PLAN Test - Each Pinewood sophomore will have the opportunity to take the PLAN test in early fall. Pinewood School will handle all registration requirements for this test; no action is required on the part of the family and it is not necessary to prepare for the exam. The PLAN test is administered in order to assess academic readiness and provide practice for the ACT.
SAT / ACT - We do not recommend that students take these tests during sophomore year.
SAT Subject Tests - Some students may take SAT Subject Tests at the end of sophomore year. Please refer to the SAT Subject Tests section below for additional information.

Which test(s) do I take in the eleventh grade?

PSAT - During the fall semester of junior year, every student will have the opportunity to take the PSAT. Pinewood School will handle all registration requirements for this test; no action is required on the part of the family and it is not necessary to prepare for the exam. The PSAT is used as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and as a practice exam for the SAT.
SAT / ACT - The student and the College Counselor will review individual results from the PLAN and the PSAT exams in order to identify which test/tests (SAT and/or ACT) the student should take. In general, we recommend that the SAT and/or ACT be taken only once, during the spring semester of junior year.
SAT Subject Tests - After consultation with the College Counselor, most juniors should consider taking at least two SAT Subject Tests at the end of the eleventh grade.

Which test(s) do I take in the twelfth grade?

Each student should have at least one SAT and/or ACT completed before his/her senior year. Most students take the SAT and/or ACT again during the fall of senior year. We do not recommend that a student take either test more than twice during the twelfth grade.
With the exception of some SAT Subject Language with Listening tests offered in November, seniors should not have to take any SAT Subject Tests if they planned well in junior year.
All standardized testing for the college process should be completed by the end of the first semester of senior year.

How do I know if the SAT or the ACT is a better test for me?

In the early spring of junior year, each student and his/her parents will meet with the College Counselor. At that time, the student's PLAN and PSAT scores will be reviewed and a recommendation will be made as to whether the student should take the SAT and/or the ACT. In addition, the College Counselor will discuss and plan a test preparation/test taking strategy.

When should I begin test preparation?

We do not recommend that students take test preparation classes before the eleventh grade. However, if a student will not have the time to devote to a prep class during junior year, it is possible to benefit from taking a class in the summer prior to junior year.
There are many different ways to prepare for the SAT, ACT and SAT Subject Tests. Before the first testing, we recommend that students familiarize themselves with the SAT and/or ACT by participating in a free unofficial test administration offered by many test preparation companies. Students can also take advantage of test preparation books and/or computer programs that are available online or in bookstores.
Just a note - according to The Princeton Review Foundation, the best way to boost verbal scores is to read, read, read! Flash cards, vocabulary lists, and test preparation books are not as valuable as reading words in context. It is highly recommended that students undertake additional summer reading beyond that assigned by Pinewood School.
Please remember that grades earned in academic classes are far more important than standardized testing scores. If a test preparation class interferes with class work, then a student's time is not being well spent. The majority of college applicants, including those who eventually attend highly selective colleges, do not devote hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to test preparation.

How many times should I take these tests?

The EXPLORE is taken once in ninth grade, the PLAN is taken once in tenth grade, and the PSAT is taken once in eleventh grade.
SAT / ACT - In general, we recommend that a student take the SAT and/or the ACT once during junior year. After that, most students will take the SAT and/or the ACT again during senior year. Many studies show that standardized test scores plateau after the third testing.
SAT Subject Tests - Most Pinewood students will have at least two SAT Subject Tests scores by the end of junior year. In general, it is not advisable to re-take SAT Subject Tests, with the possible rare exception of the language and Math II tests.

Do colleges prefer the SAT or the ACT?

Every college in the nation accepts the ACT. Many colleges give additional weight to the ACT, accepting it as equivalent to the SAT plus SAT Subject Tests. Students should confirm the testing requirements via a college's individual website, the Common Application website, and/or in Naviance Family Connection.

If I take the ACT, should I also take the optional Writing section?

Yes! Since most colleges will require it, the Writing section should be completed as part of the ACT.

How do I know if I need to take an SAT Subject Test?

SAT Subject Tests are required by some highly selective colleges. The majority of colleges that ask for SAT Subject Tests require only two; very few colleges ask for three Subject Test scores. Students should confirm the testing requirements via a college's individual website, the Common Application website, and/or in Naviance Family Connection.
Keep in mind that some colleges will now accept the ACT with Writing in lieu of the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. Again, the college website, Common Application website, and/or Naviance Family Connection will confirm this information.

Which SAT Subject Tests are right for me?

In general, students should take an SAT Subject Test after they have completed a subject area and if they performed well in the class.
Students should consult with their teachers and the College Counselor to discuss the appropriate SAT Subject Tests that should be taken. In addition, it is recommended that students review the sample tests on the College Board website and/or in test preparation books to ensure that they are comfortable with the material that is covered on each specific test.
If a student has a definite college major in mind, he/she should consider taking the SAT Subject Test that may highlight a talent in that area. For example, students considering a college major in math or science, should take the SAT Subject Test in that area.
Some colleges may require specific SAT Subject Tests. Students should confirm this requirement via the college website.
Below is a list of SAT Subject Tests and the recommended Pinewood course the test should follow.

Subject Test					Pinewood Course
Literature					Literature 11 • Literature 11 Honors (1st semester at the earliest)
Biology					Biology** • Biology Honors • AP Biology
Chemistry					Chemistry Honors** • AP Chemistry
Physics					AP Physics
Math 1					Not recommended
Math 2					Pre Calculus** • Pre Calculus Honors • Calculus • AP Calculus AB
US History					US History • AP US History
World History					AP World History
French					French 4 • French 4 Honors
Spanish					Spanish 4 • Spanish 4 Honors

**requires some self-study for complete content