Undergraduate Standardized Admission Tests in the US
Most four-year American colleges and universities require that applicants submit scores from US standardized admissions tests as part of their admissions application. (In many cases community colleges and trade schools do not require these scores.)
The same tests SAT®, ACT® and TOEFL® are used by all schools for all applicants, but typically, if the SAT is required, the ACT is not. Some schools offer students the choice of which test (SAT or ACT) for which they will submit scores. These assessment tests are designed to measure students' skill levels as they relate to undergraduate study, are all multiple choice, and are written in English. Below are additional details about each test.
Here are some important tips to keep in mind for any standardized test:
- Applicants must preregister six weeks in advance to take tests at one of several scheduled times, dates and locations (worldwide) throughout the year. The chosen test date should be at least 6 weeks before deadlines for applications and financial aid forms. Registration forms are available online, or by request from any school that requires them.
- On the test form, students can list universities to which they would like test results sent. Results are sent to universities approximately one month following the test.
- Students receive a report of their scores within 6-8 weeks of the test date, so it is best to choose to have the scores sent directly to schools (rather than waiting to receive the scores, then submitting them).
The SAT Test
The SAT measures critical thinking skills needed for academic success in undergraduate and graduate studies - specifically a student's skill in analyzing and solving problems. The SAT is most commonly taken by students in their last 1-2 years of secondary school. It is offered 7 times a year in the U.S., U.S. Territories and Puerto Rico, and 6 times a year in other regions worldwide. Registration bulletins contain information about test centers, dates, fees and registration procedures, and are available online or at any EducationUSA advising center. Test preparation materials and sample questions are also available at these centers for reference use, purchase or loan.
The SAT has multiple sections, and each is scored on a scale of 200-800. The writing section contains two subscores, and mathematical and verbal scores are reported to colleges separately. The highest possible combined score is 2,400.
SAT Subject Tests
In addition to the general SAT test, US colleges and universities may require or recommend subject tests to measure a student's knowledge in specific areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics Level 1
- Mathematics Level 2
- Literature
- United States History
- World History
- Chinese with Listening
- French
- French with Listening
- German
- German with Listening
- Italian
- Japanese with Listening
- Korean with Listening
- Latin
- Modern Hebrew
- Spanish
- Spanish with Listening
Some schools specify which subject tests must be taken, while others allow the student to choose to take exams in their strongest areas of study. The tests are primarily multiple choice, and one hour long.
Like the general SAT, subject tests are scored on a 200-800 scale.
The ACT Test
Accepted at any four-year school in the US, the ACT assesses the general educational development of high-school level students, and their potential to succeed at college-level academic work. Given up to five times a year, there are ACT Test Centers around the world.
The ACT tests students on subjects they are learning in school, compared to the SAT which tests critical thinking. There are four multiple choice subtests covering mathematics, science, English and reading. An optional writing test which measures planning and writing skills through a short essay.
Raw scores (the total number of correct responses) are given for each of the four subject areas, then converted into a scaled score from 1 - 36. The sum of the scaled scores is then divided by four to get a composite score, of which the highest possible is 36 and the lowest is 1. Universities receive scores with several weeks.
The TOEFL® Standardized Test
Almost all schools require that international students take the TOEFL to assess their ability to use and understand written, spoken and heard English in academic settings. Depending on the applicant's location, the test is offered in one of three different formats: Internet-based (iBT), computer-based (CBT) or paper-based (PBT). Although the iBT is online, it is necessary to go to an authorized test center to take the test.
Test dates are scheduled on several different days, depending on the location of the center. (New centers are being added every day, so it is recommended to check before travelling to the nearest one.) Preregistration is required, and must be received at least four weeks before the requested first-choice test date, but it is advisable to register at least two months prior to the desired test date.
The Internet-based TOEFL is most commonly used throughout the world. It usually lasts up to 4 hours, and includes four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Some assigned tasks measure the student's capacity to combine skills, such as reading, listening and speaking an answer to a question. TOEFL preparation materials are available at most EducationUSA Advising Centers, and some also offer TOEFL preparation courses.
Although admissions standards for English proficiency vary between institutions, schools generally consider a total score range of 61-88 for the iBT as the minimum score for undergraduate studies. This is equivalent to 173-230 in the CBT and 500-570 in the PBT. Conditional acceptance is sometimes granted, provided the student attends English as a Second Language classes at the school prior to starting their degree program.
When they come to take the exam, students can bring a list of admissions addresses for 4 colleges and universities where they wish to have the test results sent. Results are available online 15 days after the test date, and official printed results are sent to the schools and student within 4 weeks from the test date.
Once a student is admitted to a school, a Foreign Studies Advisor at the school will determine whether the student meets the criteria for a student visa, including English language proficiency. Lack of proficiency can make it difficult to get a student visa, which grants permission for a foreign national to enter the US to go to school. Students registered for intensive English as a Second Language programs will not be required to demonstrate proficiency.
Important Standardized Admissions Test Tips
- Although good test scores are important, they are only one part of the application, and therefore do not guarantee acceptance into a school or program.
- A secondary school diploma or examination is not equivalent to standardized admissions tests scores.
- Some universities may have their own in-house examinations or additional tests that applicants are required to take.
- When sending in an admissions application, include photocopies of test results, as some universities will begin processing the application with a photocopy.
- Students who do not have high degrees of English proficiency will not do well on these tests, no matter how strong their academic backgrounds.
- It is possible for a student to obtain a waiver of the TOEFL requirement if he or she is a non-U.S. citizen and non-native English speaker who has been educated in English during most of their lifetime schooling. EducationUSA Advising Centers can provide additional information.
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