Are you totally confused by this alphabet soup?? You are not alone. Let us try to help.

• The PSAT or PreSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a test offered one time each fall, primarily to high school Juniors, as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship competition. Yes, the PSAT can be taken by anyone, and the test makers tout the test as good practice for the actual SAT, but only Juniors can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship competition and therefore the majority of PSAT test takers are Juniors. Most importantly, the PSAT is not to be confused with the “mock” SAT that we offer each year or any other practice SAT you may hear about.
  

• The SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test is the college entrance exam that many of you will include with your college application. The test is offered several times a year and can be taken more than once. It is totally up to you to register and sit for the test to make timely application to your targeted schools. During the school year, your PTSA will offer readiness classes as well as a “mock” SAT exam.
  

• The ACT or American College Test is also a widely recognized college entrance exam. It differs from the SAT in several areas. The ACT is often described as a “content based” test while the SAT tests “critical thinking”. Specifically the ACT includes a science reasoning section, a trigonometry section and tests English grammar to a greater degree. The SAT tests more vocabulary and is not entirely multiple choice. Again, it is up to you to register and sit for the exam. Your PTSA will offer a “mock” ACT exam during the year.