(written by Rising STAR, Meryssa)

Hello readers, Meryssa here. I hope everyone had a great winter vacation. Today I am writing a blog about the SAT’s and ACT’s. Both the SAT’s and ACT’s are tests that most colleges require for admission. Fortunately, you will only have to take one of these. Typically New England colleges prefer the SAT’s but most other parts of the country prefer the ACT instead of the SAT. But check with the schools you want to apply to, most will accept either one.

Here’s what you need to know about the two tests:

• The SAT is graded on a scale from 200-800 for three sections (verbal, math & writing) making a score of 2400 a perfect score. Whereas, the ACT has an extra science component and a score of 36 is considered perfect.

• There are fees for both of these tests. The SAT is $45 for students. The ACT without the writing portion is $32, with the writing portion it is $47 (I recommend taking the extra writing piece because many schools require it). (More about fees in a minute!)

• Both tests take about four hours to complete.

Before winter vacation, I went to my guidance counselor to get information about these tests. My guidance counselor gave me a practice booklet that also has the dates of the SAT and when I have to register to take the test. My guidance counselor also gave me a “Fee Waiver Form” from the state of NH that helps waive my fee for the test. The youth that qualify are students who have free or reduced lunch, are a ward of the state (foster care, kids in placement, etc.), or children that come from low income families. If you think you would qualify for getting your fee waived for the ACT or SAT I suggest you talk with your guidance counselor as all high schools have access to these forms.  After I went to my guidance counselor, I went to my school’s library to see if they had anything that would help me study for my SAT, and they did. They had a ton of books for both the SAT and the ACT.

So if you are planning to take either of these tests I suggest that you first go to your guidance counselor to find out more information about test dates and registration dates. Ask about “Fee Waivers”, especially if you are a foster kid. Then, you want to head to a library to see if they have materials to help you study.  (And the Center for College Planning also has lots of SAT preparation books they can lend you.  Call (800)525-2577, ext. 119 to see what books they have available.

Happy Studying,
Meryssa