| In order to be admitted to many colleges private and | | | | The average ACT score is a composite score of 21.1, |
| public, more than 1 million high school aged students | | | | while the verbal average on the SAT I nationwide is |
| must take a college placement test. Many four year | | | | 501. The average math score is 515, and the average |
| institutions rely on the standardized tests ACT and | | | | writing score is 493 across the United States. Many |
| SAT. Many schools will accept either test, and some | | | | high school juniors are given the PSAT or the |
| schools accept both tests. For schools on the west | | | | preliminary SAT test during school hours. This tests the |
| and east coast, the SAT I is generally accepted, while | | | | reading and math skills as well as the writing skills and |
| in the Midwest and central US, the ACT is accepted | | | | allows for improvement of these areas before taking |
| more. | | | | the SAT during senior year. The fee for this test is $13, |
| The ACT test is a general college placement test that | | | | but can be waived for those students who are on |
| covers English, math, reading, science and reasoning | | | | waivers or discounted programs, and all are given 2 |
| skills as well as an optional writing test. The test fee is | | | | hours and 10 minutes to complete the tests. |
| $32 with an additional $15 for the writing test and | | | | Many 2 year colleges or even community colleges and |
| takes up to 3 hours and 25 minutes with the writing | | | | career institutes require tests that are much like the |
| test. The SAT I is $45 and takes up to 3 hours and 45 | | | | ACT and SAT I, and some ask that the student at |
| minutes, and covers reading and math reasoning as | | | | least take one type of college placement test before |
| well as writing skills. The SAT II is generally used for a | | | | being admitted. These tests are used to help with |
| specific area of study and tests on one subject alone. | | | | placement in courses according to strengths and |
| The cost for this test ranges from $29 to $40, and | | | | weaknesses the student has. There are a few tests |
| students are given one hour to complete the test. The | | | | that are the most commonly used, and these include |
| TOEFL is the equivalent of the SAT test, and is given | | | | but are not limited to Accuplacer, ASAP or Academic |
| to those who are not native English speaking persons, | | | | Skills Assessment Program, COMPASS/ESL, Career |
| to understand and use English. This is an internet | | | | Programs Assessment test or CAPt, and Wonderlic. |
| based test and is the most common in the US. The | | | | These tests are all given free of charge in most cases |
| fees associated with this test are $150, and for the | | | | on the campus of the college you wish to attend. |
| internet version of the test you are given 4 hours and | | | | College placement tests are not used to punish |
| 40 minutes. If you complete the paper version of the | | | | students, but are used to help them get courses they |
| test, you are given 3 hours and 30 minutes for | | | | need to be successful in college. |
| completion. | | | | |