Standardized Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, and what will it tell me?
In October of your V Form year, you will take the Practice SAT (PSAT) and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Students in the IV Form may also take this test. You can use the PSAT to get a sense of what sections of the SAT Reasoning test need your closer attention within any test prep you plan to do. If you do unusually well on this test in comparison with other testers from your home state, you may become a candidate for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. You do not need to sign up for this test; we take care of all the paperwork.

When should I take the SAT Reasoning test?
The best schedule is the one that works best for you! Many students, however, choose the following arrangement, taking tests in:

• December of your V Form year (to give yourself an initial sense of what the test is like);
• Either January or March of your V Form year; and
• October of your VI Form year.

To make a plan for tackling the SATs, consult with your parents and your college counselor. We can help you come up with the best testing schedule for you.

How do I register for the SAT Reasoning test?
What you will need to register online:

• Credit card
• Social Security number (if you have one)
• SSD Eligibility Code (if you are eligible for extended time)
• School Code #: 080095
• First choice Test Center code: 08-122 (St. Andrew's School) (Note that St. Andrew's is not a test center for every date.)
• Second choice Test Center code: 08-120 (Middletown High School)
• Third choice Test Center code: 08-135 (Newark High School)
• Your mailing address, which should be your permanent home address

Registration tips:

• Set aside about half an hour to complete registration for the first time. Be sure to have the above necessary items handy.
• Visit www.collegeboard.com. Click on the test you'd like to register for, and create an account with the College Board website using your permanent home ZIP code. There is no need to enter anything under step two of this section. On the next page, please use your permanent home address and your St. Andrew's email.
• On Part 1 of the Profile section, fill out those fields that say "required." We would recommend saying "no" to student search service, unless you want junk mail; choosing "I do not wish to respond" to the GPA question, and leaving class rank blank. The rest you may fill out as you wish.
• Steps two through five of Part 1, you can leave completely blank; just drag down to the bottom and press save and continue each time.
• In Part 2, select "Reasoning Test," "U.S.," and your grade. When asked for your high school, unless you are from Middletown, you will need to search for St. Andrew's to answer this question. Just search for city and state; the formatting for the name "St. Andrew's" means the search feature often won't find it if you search for it specifically. Unless you have one, answer no to "testing accommodations" and "fee waiver" (if you don't have one or the other, but think you should, talk with you college counselor).
• In Part 4, sign up for your preferred test centers. See above for codes for local test centers.
• In Part 5, don't send your scores anywhere—just save and continue.
• In Step 6, don't purchase anything, just save and continue.

When you have registered, check your email for confirmation from College Board. Please forward your confirmation email to Mrs. Poarch, the School Registrar, at cpoarch@standrews-de.org. It really helps us to know that you have registered!

How do I register for the ACT?
To register for the ACT, you will need:

• Desktop or laptop computer with an internet connection; mobile and tablet not recommended
• Credit card
• High school course details
• Headshot photo

To register for the ACT, visit the ACT website.

What are current SAT and ACT testing dates?
Upcoming testing dates are always available for review on our recommended testing calendar below.

What is the TOEFL?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is, well, just that. If English is your second language, you should take the TOEFL in preparation for your college appplications—even if you already took the TOEFL when you applied to St. Andrew's. Your college counselor can help you make a plan for taking the TOEFL.

What is non-standard testing?
Non-standard testing allows students additional time to take the SAT or ACT. If you or your folks think you might need non-standard testing because of a learning difference, please talk with speak with the Director of College Counseling as soon as possible. Requesting non-standard testing from the College Board can take the better part of a year. Read more about testing accommodations on the College Board website.

How do SAT scores correspond to ACT scores?
The College Board and the ACT provides an online converter available on the ACT.org website.

Does the College Counseling office register me for tests, or fix any problems I may encounter with the College Board?
We are here to help! The College Board is a large organization and is capable of error like any other large organization. If it appears that the College Board has made an error in any part of your testing process or scores, call them right away, and let us know as well. The College Board will usually only deal directly with you, but we can help you ask the right questions and guide you through the conversation. Questions about testing at St. Andrew's or about test day? Contact Mrs. Poarch via email to cpoarch@standrews-de.org; she is our Director of Testing and is a great resource.

How do I decide if I need test prep, and if so, what kind of test prep should I do?

In the V Form year, students meet individually with their college counselor to determine if test prep makes sense for them, and further, to determine what prep (i.e. one-on-one tutoring, a traditional summertime test prep class, or working on their own with a book) will best suit the student’s needs.

Some pointers from the College Counseling Office:

• Be wary of test prep guarantees.
• Practice makes perfect or if not perfect, then better! If your program gives you homework... (you can figure out the rest of this sentence).
• Full practice tests, even though they are inconvenient, are often the most effective form of practice.
• If you can find a way to approach standardized tests as interesting, valuable challenges in and of themselves, this mental state can help!