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For students seeking enrollment in undergraduate school, junior year in high school is the year that many students start taking standardized tests required by most colleges as part of the admission process.
Below are brief descriptions and links to the websites for standardized
tests, including those for graduate school admission. Research the admission process for each
school to which you are applying to determine which test(s) to take. The sites will give you
information on where and when the tests are available.
ACT - American College Testing Assessment
Overview: The ACT assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.
Overview: The ACT assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.
Fee Waivers: If you can't afford the registration fee, you may be eligible
for a fee waiver from ACT. Funds are limited, and once they have been exhausted, requests for
waivers will be denied. For detailed information, go to
the ACT Fee Waiver Program page.
SAT - Scholastic Aptitude Test Overview: According to the College Board, the SAT I Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems: skills you learned in school that you'll need in college. The SAT II: Subject Tests (formerly SAT II Achievement Tests) are designed to measure students' knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as their ability to apply that knowledge.
Fee Waiver: The SAT
Program Fee-Waiver Service is designed to help students for whom test fees represent
obstacles on the road to college.
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
Overview: TOEFL measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. It is a computer-based test administered by Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., which gives the test at Sylvan Technology Centers throughout the world. To register by phone, call 1-800-GO-TOEFL. Test dates are scheduled according to your request. Select two days of the week, two months of the year, and one or two test centers. Appointments need by be made at least two business days prior to your preferred test date.
Overview: TOEFL measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. It is a computer-based test administered by Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., which gives the test at Sylvan Technology Centers throughout the world. To register by phone, call 1-800-GO-TOEFL. Test dates are scheduled according to your request. Select two days of the week, two months of the year, and one or two test centers. Appointments need by be made at least two business days prior to your preferred test date.
Fee Waiver: The TOEFL Fee Reduction Service is designed for high school students in the United States with financial need who are applying to colleges and universities where TOEFL scores are recommended or required.
TSE - Test of Spoken English
Overview: TSE measures the ability of nonnative speakers to speak in an academic or professional environment. It provides accurate, valid, and reliable assessments for candidates for graduate assistantships, employment, or licensure and certification.
Overview: TSE measures the ability of nonnative speakers to speak in an academic or professional environment. It provides accurate, valid, and reliable assessments for candidates for graduate assistantships, employment, or licensure and certification.
Dental Admissions Testing (DAT)
Overview: The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) and has been in operation on a national basis since 1950. The Dental Admission Test is administered on computer on almost any day of the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability.
Overview: The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) and has been in operation on a national basis since 1950. The Dental Admission Test is administered on computer on almost any day of the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability.
DSSTs - DANTES Subject Standardized Test
Overview: Accepted or administered at over 1,900 colleges and universities nationwide and approved by ACE (American Council on Education), the DSST program provides the opportunity for people to earn college credit for what they have learned outside of the traditional classroom.
Overview: Accepted or administered at over 1,900 colleges and universities nationwide and approved by ACE (American Council on Education), the DSST program provides the opportunity for people to earn college credit for what they have learned outside of the traditional classroom.
GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test
Overview: The GMAT is a computer adaptive test for admission to business school and is available year-round. Schedule day and location by calling 1-800-GMAT-NOW.
Overview: The GMAT is a computer adaptive test for admission to business school and is available year-round. Schedule day and location by calling 1-800-GMAT-NOW.
GRE - Graduate Record Examinations
Overview: With the exception of law, medical, and business schools, this is the most widely accepted general aptitude test for graduate school admission.
Overview: With the exception of law, medical, and business schools, this is the most widely accepted general aptitude test for graduate school admission.
The General Test: A computer-based test that measures analytical writing, verbal, and quantitative skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study.
The GRE Subject Tests: A paper-based test designed to help graduate school admission committees and fellowship sponsors assess the qualifications of applicants in specific fields of study. Scores on the tests are intended to indicate students' knowledge of the subject matter emphasized in many undergraduate programs as preparation for graduate study. Go to www.gre.org for registration deadlines.
Fee Waiver: GRE Program makes available a limited number of GRE fee waivers for college seniors and unenrolled college graduates who meet eligibility requirements. For detailed information, go to the GRE Fee Waiver Program page.
LSAT - Law School Admission Test
Overview: The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test required for admission to all 202 law schools that are members of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. The test is administered four times a year at hundreds of locations around the world.
Overview: The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test required for admission to all 202 law schools that are members of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. The test is administered four times a year at hundreds of locations around the world.
MAT - Miller Analogies Test
Overview: The Miller Analogies test is a high-level, analytic ability test that requires the solution of problems stated as analogies. Beginning in fall 2004, the MAT will consist of 120 partial analogies that are to be completed in 60 minutes.
Overview: The Miller Analogies test is a high-level, analytic ability test that requires the solution of problems stated as analogies. Beginning in fall 2004, the MAT will consist of 120 partial analogies that are to be completed in 60 minutes.
There is no registration form for the MAT. The MAT is administered by the Psychological Corporation, but fees and testing are handled solely by Controlled Testing Centers.
MCAT - Medical College Admission Test
Overview: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills in addition to the examinee's knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.
Overview: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills in addition to the examinee's knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.
Fee waiver: The AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) was created to assist MCAT examinees and American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) applicants who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the MCAT or apply to AMCAS-participating schools.
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
Overview: TOEFL measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. It is a computer-based test administered by Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., which gives the test at Sylvan Technology Centers throughout the world. To register by phone, call 1-800-GO-TOEFL. Test dates are scheduled according to your request. Select two days of the week, two months of the year, and one or two test centers. Appointments need by be made at least two business days prior to your preferred test date.
Overview: TOEFL measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. It is a computer-based test administered by Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., which gives the test at Sylvan Technology Centers throughout the world. To register by phone, call 1-800-GO-TOEFL. Test dates are scheduled according to your request. Select two days of the week, two months of the year, and one or two test centers. Appointments need by be made at least two business days prior to your preferred test date.
Fee Waiver: The TOEFL Fee Reduction Service is designed for high school students in the United States with financial need who are applying to colleges and universities where TOEFL scores are recommended or required.
TSE - Test of Spoken English
Overview: TSE measures the ability of nonnative speakers to speak in an academic or professional environment. It provides accurate, valid, and reliable assessments for candidates for graduate assistantships, employment, or licensure and certification.
Overview: TSE measures the ability of nonnative speakers to speak in an academic or professional environment. It provides accurate, valid, and reliable assessments for candidates for graduate assistantships, employment, or licensure and certification.