Standardized Testing & Preparation

The ACT is a curriculum-based standardized test used by colleges and universities to make admission decisions. The ACT contains multiple-choice tests in four areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. It is a three-hour, 40-minute test with essay offered throughout the United States six times annually. The composite score is an average of the four subscores, each on a 36-point scale.

ACT information, test dates, registration, score access, and score sending can be found at www.act.org. For more information, please contact ACT directly by phone at (319) 337-1270.

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are administered by the College Board at the end of the school year, typically the first 2 weeks of May. These comprehensive year-end examinations are curriculum focused based on the content of Advanced Placement course work completed by students throughout the year. All TVS students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the corresponding AP examination at the end of the academic year.

Many colleges and universities will award academic credit for AP courses depending on the score earned on the AP examination. If (and how much) credit is awarded is an institution-specific decision, and more information can be found on individual college websites.

Advanced Placement information, courses, schedule, and score sending can be found at apstudent.collegeboard.org. For more information, please contact the College Board via email at apstudents@info.collegeboard.org or by phone at (888) 225-5427.

Trinity Valley School offers the PreACT as a practice ACT test to 10th graders each spring to familiarize students with the format of the ACT exam. Like the PSAT, TVS registers students for the PreACT and covers the cost. Once scores are available, each student receives a comprehensive score report and test booklet to help prepare for the ACT.

Scores from the PreACT are not sent to colleges.

As practice for the SAT, the Preliminary SAT or PSAT is administered at Trinity Valley School to all 10th and 11th graders each October. TVS registers students for this exam and covers the cost. Once scores are available, each student receives a comprehensive score report and test booklet to help analyze his/her skills in preparation for the SAT.

The PSAT is administered to 10th graders for practice only. Eleventh graders take the PSAT/NMSQT which is co-sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) for National Merit Scholarship consideration.

Scores from the PSAT are not sent to colleges.

Created by the College Board, the SAT is a standardized entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a three-hour, 50-minute examination with essay offered globally seven times annually. It has two sections (Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing; Mathematics), each scored on an 800 point scale.

SAT information, test dates, registration, and score access, and score sending can be found at www.sat.org. 

Most students' scores increase naturally from year to year, especially if they take the time to review their weaker test areas in a focused way. Some students will choose to study on their own; others work with tutors or take a preparation course.

The College Board has partnered with Kahn Academy to provide students with online lessons on every element of the SAT.

This valuable resource is free of charge. Additionally, the links below can direct students to sample tests, preparation materials, and other information as students plan for their testing.

SAT Practice Tests

ACT Practice Tests

Although many students prepare on their own for standardized testing with the help of practice materials, some prefer more structured guidance. Please reach out to your college counselor for a list of recommended test-prep services and tutors.

Students who receive extended time and other in-class accommodations are not automatically approved for accommodations on the PSAT, ACT, SAT, or AP exams administered by the College Board. The School must submit documentation to the testing agency to see if accommodations can be granted. We ask that all students who utilize accommodations on Upper School exams consult with Kellie McLarty, Upper School counselor, and Anna Ross, Academic Services Coordinator, at least four months, preferably one year or more, in advance of their first standardized exam to submit the request for accommodations. The School will need to confirm that documented testing accommodations have been approved, and we will provide instruction for students on how to register for standardized tests with accommodations.