All BCDS students experience standardized testing on a number of levels, and such testing is typically a part of the college application process. The school provides students with appropriate support and preparation for any test recommended by the school or typically required by colleges.
Increasingly, colleges are re-examining their standardized testing policies, and many colleges no longer require particular test scores from applicants; a list of these colleges can be found on the website of the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, www.FairTest.org. As policies may change, students should research the specific testing requirements of colleges to which they might be applying.
Test Dates for 2007–08
SAT program
October 6, 2007 Registration deadline September 10
November 3, 2007 Registration deadline October 2
December 1, 2007 Registration deadline October 30
January 26, 2008 Registration deadline December 26
March 1, 2008 Registration deadline January 29
May 3, 2008 Registration deadline April 1
June 7, 2008 Registration deadline May 6
The BCDS School Code is 220595
ACT Program
October 27, 2007 Registration deadline September 21
December 8, 2007 Registration deadline November 2
February 9, 2008 Registration deadline January 4
April 12, 2008 Registration deadline March 7
June 14, 2008 Registration deadline May 9
The BCDS School Code is 220595
The College Board Tests: PSAT/NMSQT, SAT tests, Advanced Placement
Four major types of tests for high school students are administered by the College Board: the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test); the SAT Reasoning Test; the SAT Subject Tests; and Advanced Placement Examinations. Information on the College Board testing program as well as on-line registration can be found at www.CollegeBoard.com.
The PSAT/NMSQT is administered at Beaver in October to all sophomores and juniors. Sophomores take the test to familiarize themselves with the test format and to facilitate early-stage college counseling. Juniors use scores to construct initial college plans and to anticipate work on SAT preparation; some may qualify for National Merit Scholarship program. Results of these tests are not sent to colleges.
The SAT Reasoning Test is typically taken in the spring of the junior year and also in the fall of senior year. Many colleges require scores from either this test or the ACT test (see below).
SAT Subject Tests are taken by many students at the end of a course of study, and many highly selective colleges require scores from several (typically two or three) of these tests, or the ACT test (see below). Typically BCDS students will take mathematics, literature, and a science test, but the college counseling office and individual teachers can advise students on which tests to take.
Advanced Placement (AP) examinations may be taken in a number of subject areas including English, the sciences, calculus, studio art, and computer science. Examinations are given in May, and students will be invited or recommended to register for testing during the winter term. Individual teachers and departments will suggest testing on an individual basis and may offer candidates some level of specific preparation. Some colleges apply test scores in the passing range (3, 4, or 5) toward college credit.
The ACT Program
The ACT program is an increasingly popular alternative or supplement to the College Board testing program and now claims to be the “most widely accepted college entrance exam” in America. Information on the ACT program as well as on-line registration can be found at www.ACT.org. All U.S. colleges now accept ACT scores.
Students at BCDS experience the tests on several levels:
The EXPLORE test is given in the Middle School. It consists of four subtests, in English, reading, mathematics, and science. Test scores are used to help individual students develop learning goals and to help teachers troubleshoot areas of individual challenge.
The PLAN test is given in the sophomore year and follows the same testing format as the EXPLORE test. Results are used to help individual students develop leaning goals as well as to facilitate early-stage college counseling.
The ACT test is typically taken in the spring of the junior year and/or in the fall of senior year. In addition to the same test areas used in the EXPLORE and PLAN (English, reading, mathematics, and science), there is also an optional writing test. Many colleges require scores from either this test or some combination of SAT tests for admission, although some colleges accept ACT test scores in lieu of SAT Subject Test scores.
Test Support
Beginning in the fall of 2007, BCDS is partnering with an outside test preparation provider to offer standardized-test preparation classes on the BCDS campus at convenient times during the school year. Course costs are charged directly to the student’s family by the provider, but financial aid is available to all students receiving school aid on a pro rated basis. Families interested in registering students for these classes should contact the College Counseling office for details.
