What Should I Know?

The SAT and the ACT are both college entrance exams that may be required as part of the admission process at colleges across the United States.  The ACT is also given to all 11th grade students in Nebraska as part of the statewide assessment of student progress.  

 

ACT – college entrance test from American College Testing

PreACT – practice test for the ACT test

SAT – Scholastic Aptitude Test for college entrance from the College Board

PSAT/NMSQT – Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

 

Lincoln Public Schools has chosen to have all students in 10th grade take the PreACT as preparation for the statewide ACT testing in their junior year.

 

The PSAT is an optional practice test for the SAT and is given each year in October.  The PSAT is also the entrance exam for the National Merit Scholarship Competition when students take it during their junior year.  The PSAT is often taken by highly-motivated 10th grade students as a practice exam for the PSAT during their junior year.

 

Both the PSAT and the PreACT are excellent ways to practice and prepare for the SAT and ACT.  Fee waivers are available for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.   Students who have a documented disability and received accommodations for that disability at school may be eligible for accommodations on the ACT, SAT, PSAT, and PreACT as well.

 

 

Typical test-taking patterns:

 

10th grade:

PreACT (required of all students – testing happens during the school day in the fall)

PSAT (optional Saturday testing – open to all students but often taken by students who are interested in practicing for the PSAT in order to have a higher score on the PSAT during their junior year when the test is used for qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship competition; students register in the Counseling Center)

 

11th grade:

PSAT (optional Saturday test that serves as a practice for the SAT test and is used for juniors to enter the National Merit Scholarship competition; students register in the Counseling Center);

ACT (required of all students – testing happens during the school day in the spring)

ACT and/or SAT (optional Saturday testing as needed for college admission – students register online independently)

 

12th grade:

ACT and/or SAT (optional Saturday testing as needed for college admission – students register online independently).

 

For additional information please contact your school counselor.