Golden Eagle Charter School
Testing
Grades and Test Scores
College admission eligibility depends a lot on high school grades. Your Grade Point Average or GPA is an average of all of the academic grades you received after 9th grade. This GPA is one of the important factors determining college admission.
In addition to your GPA, colleges look at the scores you got on the ACT or Sat test.
Contact the school you wish to attend to determine which test they prefer. Many colleges accept both, but you may have to take additional subject matter tests to qualify for entry into certain majors.
ACT
The ACT covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. For more information about the ACT and to register for the test and send scores, please go to www.act.org.
SAT
The SAT consists of three sections: Critical Thinking, Math, and Writing. Visit www.collegeboard.com to learn more about the SAT tests and to register online to take the SAT test.
AP Exams:
Students take AP exams to validate and increase the weight of credits they receive for Advanced Placement Courses at high School. If you pass the AP exam after taking an advanced placement course, you receive more credit, and college credit for that course.
For more information about AP exams, please see:
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html
Preparing for AP exams:
Test Study Guides and Distance Learning Programs:
www.uccp.org
apexlearning.com/about/pressroom/articles/pr2004_mar9_APER.asp
apexlearning.com
Scholarships associated with taking AP exams:
• www.collegeboard.com/article/1,,6-30-0-23639,00.html?orig=sch
• www.scholarshare.com/gsp/index.html
Standard Tests and Definitions
SAT I – The standard exam that most schools require for admission. It is offered 7 times through the year. www.collegeboard.com
SAT II – Many other schools (the University of California, for one) require several SAT II subject tests in addition to the SAT I. See individual schools for more information. For test information, see www.collegeboard.com
ACT – Oftentimes students will have the option of taking the SAT I or the ACT. The Princeton Review has compared the two, perhaps guiding you towards one over the other. For actual test info, see www.actstudent.org
PSAT – This practice SAT is offered only once/year. You may contact your local comprehensive high school to learn how to take it. It is offered in mid-October, so contact the schools in September or before for information.
AP – Advanced Placement are courses that prepare students for an annual exam in one or more of 34 courses and exams.
CLEP – The College-Level Examination Program is a way, similar to the AP exams, to earn college credit by demonstrating proficiency in a number of subject areas.
GED– The General Education Development test is not specifically a test related to college admissions, but worth mentioning here. The GED is a nationwide high school diploma equivalency test that students 18 years old (or within 60 days of their 18th birthday) may take.
CHSPE –The California High School Proficiency Exam, like the GED, is a high school diploma equivalency test. Two main differences are that (1) you may be 16 years old to take the exam and (2) it is officially recognized in California, but not necessarily in other states.