Test Prep Review

Test Prep Review

Your source for free online practice tests.

ACCUPLACER is a web-based assessment tool offered by The College Board, designed to determine a student's skills in reading, writing, and math. The test is adaptive, which means that the difficulty of the test will tend to increase, depending on the student’s success in earlier portions. Taking numerous practice tests is recommended for test day success.

The ACT is a college admissions examination taken by high school-aged students to determine their readiness for college. Results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States as part of the admissions process. It consists of four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Check your readiness for the ACT with our practice exams.

Nursing is one of the most difficult educational programs students can choose because it is constantly changing and growing. The Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS® Test, is a standardized exam given to those interested in attending nursing school. The ATI TEAS test consists of four main subject areas: Reading, Math, Science, and English Language Arts. Our practice test can help you prepare.

Preparing for your upcoming GED test can be a difficult challenge. Passing the GED signifies that a person has the same knowledge and skills as an average high school graduate in the areas of reading, writing, science, social studies, and math. Taking several GED practice tests is recommended for success.

The Graduate Management Admission Test is taken by students who are applying for admission to either MBA or other graduate management programs and used to help business schools in making admissions decisions. It tests analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal skills. Try the practice tests we offer to check your readiness to take the GMAT.

The Graduate Record Examination General Test is for thsoe who are planning to attend graduate or business school. It measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills and is a way to determine whether you are prepared for graduate work. Taking practice tests can help you prepare for the GRE.

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test administered by the Law School Admission Council and is an essential part of the admission process for those seriously considering law school. The LSAT is a challenging test and measures skills considered essential for success in practicing law. Take our practice tests to help determine if you're ready.

The Miller Analogies Test assesses analytical skills and academic knowledge that are critical to success in graduate education. The test consists solely of partial analogies measuring knowledge about the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social science. Our practice test can help test your analytical skills necessary for the MAT.

The Medical College Admission Exam is the official test a person must pass in order to be admitted to a school of medicine in the United States and some colleges in Canada. It is widely considered to be one of the most difficult academic tests in existence. It takes nearly 8 hours to complete the exam. Use our study resources to help you be ready to pass the MCAT.

The NCLEX exam, or National Council Licensure Examination, is a standardized exam used to determine if a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice. The NCLEX PN and RN tests are variable length, adaptive tests that are given on a computer. We offer practice tests and study guides to help you prepare to pass the NCLEX.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests are a series of tests used for either determining which candidates are qualified for a teacher education program or as part of the licensing process for those who have graduated with education degrees. The Praxis II: Subject Assessment tests focus on specific subjects. Our study materials and practice tests can help you prepare for both.

The SAT test is used in the application process to colleges and universities in the United States. The test measures critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and solve problems. The SAT test consists of four sections; critical reading, mathematics, writing, and a variable or equating section. Take our practice tests to prepare you to pass the SAT.

GETTING READY FOR TEST DAY

Preparing for a test isn’t easy, and most test takers have some sort of test anxiety as they prepare. Standardized tests may give you a sense of dread, even when you’re adequately prepared and know you will do well on the test. Through high school, college, and then graduate school, the tests seem to only get more complicated and more important. Preparing for the next difficult test could almost become a way of life. Allow us to help you through these tough times so you can pass the test and regain your life.

TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES

There are many resources that you can use as you begin the test preparation process. You will find information about most tests completely free and online at official websites, containing test dates, the types of questions, how long the test will take, and most other questions concerning the details of the test. The internet also provides access to test study guides and free practice tests that will help you prepare as well.

Here, you’ll find a lot of resources and information about the test preparation process. Hopefully you’ll learn the right methods of preparing for the test in your future. Most of your initial studying can come from free online test prep resources.

Write well at UC.

Writing effectively is an important part of the undergraduate experience. The Entry Level Writing Requirement is designed to ensure you are prepared to succeed at any UC campus.

How do I satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement?

The University of California’s Entry Level Writing Requirement is a writing proficiency expectation for first year success. The ability to read carefully, analyze what you’ve read, and write effective essays is an essential part of thriving at UC. All students entering UC as freshmen must fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement, either by demonstrating proficiency through qualifying test scores, UC-transferable college English composition courses or by following your campus’s instructions for meeting the Entry Level Writing Requirement.

Visit your campus web page to learn about campus-specific guidelines for meeting the ELWR: UC Berkeley , UC  Davis , UC  Irvine , UCLA , UC Merced , UC Riverside , UC San Diego , UC  Santa Barbara , and UC  Santa Cruz .

Note: The ELWR must be satisfied either before beginning courses on a UC campus or during the first three quarters or two semesters of enrollment. Check with your campus if you have questions about the ELWR time limit.

ELWR qualifying test scores

Test score information.

While UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admission decisions or awarding Regents and Chancellor’s scholarships, test scores can be used for course placement after you enroll. If you have a qualifying test score that satisfies the Entry Level Writing Requirement that you have not reported to UC, you can arrange for the testing agency to send your scores to your UC campus. Official scores from testing agencies are due by July 15.

Note: The ACT English alone will not fulfill the ELWR. For the ACT English + Reading scores, the combined scores must come from the same exam sitting.

3 or above on either the AP English Language and Composition exam, the AP English Literature and Composition exam, AP Seminar exam or AP assessment in Research.  AP and IB scores should be sent to your intended UC campus by July 15.

International Baccalaureate Exam

Score 5 or higher on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination or 6 or higher on the Standard Level Examination in English (Language A only).

ELWR Qualifying College Courses

Students may also meet the requirement by earning a grade of "C" or better in a UC-transferable English composition course from an accredited college or university, prior to enrollment at UC. The course must be worth 3 semester or 4 quarter units.

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Having the most choice in the colleges you get into means doing well on your college entrance exams. Start learning about the different tests available and how you can prepare for them.

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  • Types of college entrance exams
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writing test for college entry

Types of College Entrance Exams

A college entrance exam is a standardized aptitude test that measures your aptitude in various areas such as verbal, math, analytical and writing skills. These tests are not designed to measure what you have learned in school; rather, they measure your potential to perform well in the future.

Your high school courses will help you prepare for these exams. However, taking practice exams is an additional way to study, as they will help you become familiar with the types of questions asked, the format of the questions and the timing necessary to finish each section.

The college you are applying to and where you stand in school will determine which standardized test you need to take. Below is a list of tests colleges most commonly use to assess prospective students:

PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test)

The PSAT is a test taken by sophomores or juniors in high school looking to gain test-taking experience in preparation for the ACT and SAT. The PSAT serves as great practice and taking it qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship , which could eventually help you save on college.

Because the PSAT is only a practice test, the score you receive on it does not affect your transcript. In fact, your PSAT score is for your betterment; your score can identify areas where you need to apply more study time, which may help you prepare for the ACT and SAT more efficiently.

PSAT (official site)

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

The SAT is a standardized aptitude test that measures a student's readiness for college. It is made up of three sections: reading, writing and language, math and an optional essay. The Essay is only available in states where it’s required as part of SAT School Day administrations. Students scheduled to take the SAT on a school day should check with their school about whether the Essay will be included. Questions are generally multiple choice, and the essay involves analyzing a piece of writing.

Each section is scored on a scale from 200–800, with a total possible score of 1,600. Optional essay results are reported separately. Be sure to find out if your colleges of choice require SAT essay scores before you take the test. The SAT is offered seven times throughout the year, and you are given three hours to complete it (the optional essay takes an additional 50 minutes).

SAT (official site)

ACT (American College Test)

The ACT is another standardized aptitude test designed to measure a student's readiness for college. Like the SAT, the ACT measures a student's potential to perform well in college. Test questions are based on standard high school subjects.

The test is multiple choice and consists of four subject areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. There is also an optional writing section, which if chosen, complements the ACT English test. Some colleges require the writing test; others don't. You should decide whether or not to take the writing test based on the requirements of the schools you plan on applying to.

Each section is scored on a scale of 1–36, and your final score is an average of all four subject areas. (If you take the writing test, you receive a subject-level writing score and an ELA score, which averages the English, reading and writing scores.) The ACT is offered six to seven times a year, and the actual test time is just under three hours (not including the 30-minute writing section).

ACT (official site)

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The TOEFL is a standardized test measuring one's ability to speak and understand English at a college level. This test is often a requirement for students applying from outside the U.S., and it can be taken over the Internet. The TOEFL is a four-subject test covering reading, writing, speaking and listening and it lasts four hours. Scores are valid for up to two years after the test date.

TOEFL (official site)

AP (Advanced Placement)

Advanced Placement exams are a series of standardized achievement tests taken by high school students to test their mastery of college-level material in a variety of courses. Like the SAT Subject Tests, AP exams measure knowledge of the subject area learned in school, and are generally taken after a student has completed (or come close to completing) an AP course. However, not all schools offer AP courses, and students may take the exams without completing the AP course.

Each exam is scored on a 1–5 scale, and scores are based on the student's performance compared to all other students who have taken the exam. Scoring a 4 or 5 (sometimes even a 3) on the exam will often count toward college credits at most colleges and universities.

AP exams (official site)

GED (General Education Development)

The GED exam is a test to obtain a certificate equivalent to a traditional high school diploma for people who didn't graduate from high school. It tests the skills and general knowledge of a four-year high school education and consists of four subject areas: reasoning through language arts, social studies, science and mathematical reasoning.

GED (official site)

writing test for college entry

Test Preparation

The best way to get a good score on exams that measure knowledge (GED, SAT Subject Tests and AP Tests) is to study. You can prepare for them by taking college-preparatory or AP courses throughout high school, if they are offered. Take practice tests and request detailed score reports so you can focus on areas for improvement. If needed, enlist a tutor for extra help; most high schools offer special tutoring programs for standardized tests.

If you don't want to use a tutor, check out one of the many test preparation books at your school, local library or bookstore. There are dozens available, and you can get one specific to the test you are taking. Some private organizations also offer specific test-prep courses in person and online.

Aptitude tests (TOEFL, ACT, SAT, PSAT), sometimes referred to as ability tests, require slightly different preparation. Unlike knowledge tests, aptitude tests measure potential and ask questions that go beyond a specific curriculum. The results help determine your natural strengths and weaknesses, and school counselors often use them as a reference for academic direction.

The best way to prepare for an aptitude test is to become familiar with the types of information covered and the types of questions that are asked. You could start by purchasing a study guide. It will cover every area of the test so you know what to expect, and many include information on time limits and the test's scoring system. Also, take any practice tests available. Aptitude practice tests will allow you to get used to the types of questions asked, how they are worded and working against a time limit.

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  • College essay

How to Write a College Essay | A Complete Guide & Examples

The college essay can make or break your application. It’s your chance to provide personal context, communicate your values and qualities, and set yourself apart from other students.

A standout essay has a few key ingredients:

  • A unique, personal topic
  • A compelling, well-structured narrative
  • A clear, creative writing style
  • Evidence of self-reflection and insight

To achieve this, it’s crucial to give yourself enough time for brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through every step in the process of writing a college admissions essay.

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Table of contents

Why do you need a standout essay, start organizing early, choose a unique topic, outline your essay, start with a memorable introduction, write like an artist, craft a strong conclusion, revise and receive feedback, frequently asked questions.

While most of your application lists your academic achievements, your college admissions essay is your opportunity to share who you are and why you’d be a good addition to the university.

Your college admissions essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s total weight一and may account for even more with some colleges making the SAT and ACT tests optional. The college admissions essay may be the deciding factor in your application, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

What do colleges look for in an essay?

Admissions officers want to understand your background, personality, and values to get a fuller picture of you beyond your test scores and grades. Here’s what colleges look for in an essay :

  • Demonstrated values and qualities
  • Vulnerability and authenticity
  • Self-reflection and insight
  • Creative, clear, and concise writing skills

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It’s a good idea to start organizing your college application timeline in the summer of your junior year to make your application process easier. This will give you ample time for essay brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

While timelines will vary for each student, aim to spend at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing your first draft and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Remember to leave enough time for breaks in between each writing and editing stage.

Create an essay tracker sheet

If you’re applying to multiple schools, you will have to juggle writing several essays for each one. We recommend using an essay tracker spreadsheet to help you visualize and organize the following:

  • Deadlines and number of essays needed
  • Prompt overlap, allowing you to write one essay for similar prompts

You can build your own essay tracker using our free Google Sheets template.

College essay tracker template

Ideally, you should start brainstorming college essay topics the summer before your senior year. Keep in mind that it’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic.

If you want to write about a common essay topic, such as a sports injury or volunteer work overseas, think carefully about how you can make it unique and personal. You’ll need to demonstrate deep insight and write your story in an original way to differentiate it from similar essays.

What makes a good topic?

  • Meaningful and personal to you
  • Uncommon or has an unusual angle
  • Reveals something different from the rest of your application

Brainstorming questions

You should do a comprehensive brainstorm before choosing your topic. Here are a few questions to get started:

  • What are your top five values? What lived experiences demonstrate these values?
  • What adjectives would your friends and family use to describe you?
  • What challenges or failures have you faced and overcome? What lessons did you learn from them?
  • What makes you different from your classmates?
  • What are some objects that represent your identity, your community, your relationships, your passions, or your goals?
  • Whom do you admire most? Why?
  • What three people have significantly impacted your life? How did they influence you?

How to identify your topic

Here are two strategies for identifying a topic that demonstrates your values:

  • Start with your qualities : First, identify positive qualities about yourself; then, brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities.
  • Start with a story : Brainstorm a list of memorable life moments; then, identify a value shown in each story.

After choosing your topic, organize your ideas in an essay outline , which will help keep you focused while writing. Unlike a five-paragraph academic essay, there’s no set structure for a college admissions essay. You can take a more creative approach, using storytelling techniques to shape your essay.

Two common approaches are to structure your essay as a series of vignettes or as a single narrative.

Vignettes structure

The vignette, or montage, structure weaves together several stories united by a common theme. Each story should demonstrate one of your values or qualities and conclude with an insight or future outlook.

This structure gives the admissions officer glimpses into your personality, background, and identity, and shows how your qualities appear in different areas of your life.

Topic: Museum with a “five senses” exhibit of my experiences

  • Introduction: Tour guide introduces my museum and my “Making Sense of My Heritage” exhibit
  • Story: Racial discrimination with my eyes
  • Lesson: Using my writing to document truth
  • Story: Broadway musical interests
  • Lesson: Finding my voice
  • Story: Smells from family dinner table
  • Lesson: Appreciating home and family
  • Story: Washing dishes
  • Lesson: Finding moments of peace in busy schedule
  • Story: Biking with Ava
  • Lesson: Finding pleasure in job well done
  • Conclusion: Tour guide concludes tour, invites guest to come back for “fall College Collection,” featuring my search for identity and learning.

Single story structure

The single story, or narrative, structure uses a chronological narrative to show a student’s character development over time. Some narrative essays detail moments in a relatively brief event, while others narrate a longer journey spanning months or years.

Single story essays are effective if you have overcome a significant challenge or want to demonstrate personal development.

Topic: Sports injury helps me learn to be a better student and person

  • Situation: Football injury
  • Challenge: Friends distant, teachers don’t know how to help, football is gone for me
  • Turning point: Starting to like learning in Ms. Brady’s history class; meeting Christina and her friends
  • My reactions: Reading poetry; finding shared interest in poetry with Christina; spending more time studying and with people different from me
  • Insight: They taught me compassion and opened my eyes to a different lifestyle; even though I still can’t play football, I’m starting a new game

Brainstorm creative insights or story arcs

Regardless of your essay’s structure, try to craft a surprising story arc or original insights, especially if you’re writing about a common topic.

Never exaggerate or fabricate facts about yourself to seem interesting. However, try finding connections in your life that deviate from cliché storylines and lessons.

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Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and they typically spend only a few minutes reading each one. To get your message across, your introduction , or hook, needs to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to read more..

Avoid starting your introduction with a famous quote, cliché, or reference to the essay itself (“While I sat down to write this essay…”).

While you can sometimes use dialogue or a meaningful quotation from a close family member or friend, make sure it encapsulates your essay’s overall theme.

Find an original, creative way of starting your essay using the following two methods.

Option 1: Start with an intriguing hook

Begin your essay with an unexpected statement to pique the reader’s curiosity and compel them to carefully read your essay. A mysterious introduction disarms the reader’s expectations and introduces questions that can only be answered by reading more.

Option 2: Start with vivid imagery

Illustrate a clear, detailed image to immediately transport your reader into your memory. You can start in the middle of an important scene or describe an object that conveys your essay’s theme.

A college application essay allows you to be creative in your style and tone. As you draft your essay, try to use interesting language to enliven your story and stand out .

Show, don’t tell

“Tell” in writing means to simply state a fact: “I am a basketball player.” “ Show ” in writing means to use details, examples, and vivid imagery to help the reader easily visualize your memory: “My heart races as I set up to shoot一two seconds, one second一and score a three-pointer!”

First, reflect on every detail of a specific image or scene to recall the most memorable aspects.

  • What are the most prominent images?
  • Are there any particular sounds, smells, or tastes associated with this memory?
  • What emotion or physical feeling did you have at that time?

Be vulnerable to create an emotional response

You don’t have to share a huge secret or traumatic story, but you should dig deep to express your honest feelings, thoughts, and experiences to evoke an emotional response. Showing vulnerability demonstrates humility and maturity. However, don’t exaggerate to gain sympathy.

Use appropriate style and tone

Make sure your essay has the right style and tone by following these guidelines:

  • Use a conversational yet respectful tone: less formal than academic writing, but more formal than texting your friends.
  • Prioritize using “I” statements to highlight your perspective.
  • Write within your vocabulary range to maintain an authentic voice.
  • Write concisely, and use the active voice to keep a fast pace.
  • Follow grammar rules (unless you have valid stylistic reasons for breaking them).

You should end your college essay with a deep insight or creative ending to leave the reader with a strong final impression. Your college admissions essay should avoid the following:

  • Summarizing what you already wrote
  • Stating your hope of being accepted to the school
  • Mentioning character traits that should have been illustrated in the essay, such as “I’m a hard worker”

Here are two strategies to craft a strong conclusion.

Option 1: Full circle, sandwich structure

The full circle, or sandwich, structure concludes the essay with an image, idea, or story mentioned in the introduction. This strategy gives the reader a strong sense of closure.

In the example below, the essay concludes by returning to the “museum” metaphor that the writer opened with.

Option 2: Revealing your insight

You can use the conclusion to show the insight you gained as a result of the experiences you’ve described. Revealing your main message at the end creates suspense and keeps the takeaway at the forefront of your reader’s mind.

Revise your essay before submitting it to check its content, style, and grammar. Get feedback from no more than two or three people.

It’s normal to go through several rounds of revision, but take breaks between each editing stage.

Also check out our college essay examples to see what does and doesn’t work in an essay and the kinds of changes you can make to improve yours.

Respect the word count

Most schools specify a word count for each essay , and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit.

Remain under the specified word count limit to show you can write concisely and follow directions. However, don’t write too little, which may imply that you are unwilling or unable to write a thoughtful and developed essay.

Check your content, style, and grammar

  • First, check big-picture issues of message, flow, and clarity.
  • Then, check for style and tone issues.
  • Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Get feedback

Get feedback from 2–3 people who know you well, have good writing skills, and are familiar with college essays.

  • Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your content, language, and tone.
  • Friends and family can check for authenticity.
  • An essay coach or editor has specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and can give objective expert feedback.

The checklist below helps you make sure your essay ticks all the boxes.

College admissions essay checklist

I’ve organized my essay prompts and created an essay writing schedule.

I’ve done a comprehensive brainstorm for essay topics.

I’ve selected a topic that’s meaningful to me and reveals something different from the rest of my application.

I’ve created an outline to guide my structure.

I’ve crafted an introduction containing vivid imagery or an intriguing hook that grabs the reader’s attention.

I’ve written my essay in a way that shows instead of telling.

I’ve shown positive traits and values in my essay.

I’ve demonstrated self-reflection and insight in my essay.

I’ve used appropriate style and tone .

I’ve concluded with an insight or a creative ending.

I’ve revised my essay , checking my overall message, flow, clarity, and grammar.

I’ve respected the word count , remaining within 10% of the upper word limit.

Congratulations!

It looks like your essay ticks all the boxes. A second pair of eyes can help you take it to the next level – Scribbr's essay coaches can help.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

  • A unique, personally meaningful topic
  • A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
  • Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
  • Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
  • Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
  • A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, complete list: which colleges require act writing.

ACT General Info , ACT Writing

body-pen-writing-essay-pixabay-cc0

You've just signed up for the ACT. But did you know that there is an optional Writing test for the ACT? More importantly, do you know if your dream schools require or recommend this ACT section?

Check out our regularly updated list of schools to find out if the Writing ACT is worth your time and money. We'll then give you our top tips for acing the ACT Writing section.

What Is the ACT Writing Test?

The ACT Writing test is an optional essay test you can take immediately after the other sections of the ACT. It costs an additional $25 and 40 minutes of your time. It's available to take after the ACT on all national testing dates in the USA .

Keep in mind when deciding to take it or not that you cannot just take the ACT Writing test on its own —you can only take this section after suitably exhausted after taking all the other ACT sections!

The writing test is meant to measure the writing skills you should have learned in your English classes throughout high school. It also claims to be a measure of how you might do in entry-level composition classes in college.

So, what exactly is the test like? First, you'll be given a prompt that tells you about an issue. You will also be presented with three possible points of view on this topic. You then must write an essay on your point of view. You can either borrow and elaborate on one of the ones provided, or offer up a fourth viewpoint. (Sound tough? See this article for top ACT Essay strategies .)

Your ACT Writing score (which is scored on a scale of 2-12) is not part of your composite ACT score (out of 36), which consists only of your English, Math, Reading, and Science scores. Instead, your essay score is used alongside your English and Reading scores to give you what is called an English Language Arts (ELA) score.

Read our guide for a full breakdown of how the ACT is scored .

Why Do Some Schools Require ACT Writing?

You might be surprised to learn that most schools don't require the ACT Writing test! In recent years many schools that previously required ACT Writing have opted to make the section optional or not even review it at all if students choose to take it. This became especially true after the SAT discontinued its essay section in 2021 .

However, those schools that do require it think they have a pretty good reason to do so. These schools think that your essay score, combined with your English and Reading ACT scores, can help them understand your grasp of English and your ability to produce a sample of writing under pressure.

This is quite a different skill compared to what they see when you submit your personal statement and other essays in your applications. They are assuming that those have been proofread by 50 of your closest friends and family members, and that they have been heavily edited and reviewed for hours on end.

So while your personal statement is more like a heavily photoshopped selfie in flattering lighting, ACT Writing is more like a candid snapshot of your writing abilities.

body_selfie-1.jpg

Your writing is kind of like a selfie, if a selfie was just words.

Specifically, these colleges want to get a better idea of your reasoning skills and your ability to defend a point of view. Can you write logically and coherently? Can you use proper sentence structure without Microsoft Word telling you what you've done wrong? The Writing Test is your chance to prove you have all these skills.

Apart from your application, the combined English Language Arts score has another use for many schools. For example, colleges might use your score to help place you in different levels of English classes. So this could potentially save you the trouble of having to take a placement test once you arrive at college in the fall!

What Kind of Colleges Require ACT Writing?

Now then, what colleges actually require ACT Writing? The answer to this question might surprise you! Read on to learn which schools require the Writing section of the ACT—and which don't.

Fact Check: Most Top Schools Don't Require ACT Writing

Perhaps surprisingly, most top-ranked colleges and universities do not require ACT Writing. In recent years, many top schools, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Duke, and Brown have stopped requiring the ACT Writing test. Currently, none of the Ivy Leagues require ACT Writing.

Many top public colleges, including the University of Michigan, and University of Texas, have also stopped requiring ACT Writing (and the UC schools have stopped requiring test scores altogether!).

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You'll have to write your essay, but no red ink allowed!

Do Top Journalism, Humanities, and English Programs Require ACT Writing?

Not really. Pepperdine and George Washington University, which are known as great journalism schools , do not require ACT Writing.

Similarly, Georgetown and the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts offer great English degrees and do not require the ACT with Writing.

Hamilton College in New York, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Iowa, and Colorado College all have great writing programs and do not require the Writing ACT.

Several well-known, smaller liberal arts colleges do not require (although they might recommend) the ACT with Writing; these include Amherst, Wellesley, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Pomona, Haverford, and Davidson College.

Finally, the University of Chicago is great all around for humanities and does not require it.

Do Top Technical/Math/Science Schools Require ACT Writing?

As you might expect, most of the top tech/math/science schools don't require the ACT Writing, including Caltech, MIT and the University of Michigan.

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Yes, STEM programs also care about your writing ability.

Why Should You Care About ACT Writing?

Below, we list every college that either requires or recommends the ACT Plus Writing.

Keep in mind that although you don't have to take the ACT with Writing (unless you want to apply to a college on the first list below), you still have the option to if you wish.

You can still submit the Writing test to colleges even if they don't require it. By doing this, you allow them to consider your essay along with the rest of your application. Some schools will treat ACT Writing equally important as the other ACT sections, whereas others will give it less weight or not consider it at all. But the bottom line is this: a strong Writing score will often help you out. If you opt to take the test and score well on it, it could be a way to enhance your application and give you an edge!

If you're thinking of taking the ACT Plus Writing, either because you have to or because you just want that extra bright point in your application, it is definitely worth your time to study and practice so that you can master the ACT Essay .

Another point: you might change your mind about what colleges you want to apply to, and that is another reason it's a good idea to take the ACT Plus Writing. If your plans change, you don't want to have to retake the whole ACT just because you didn't think ahead!

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Full List of Colleges That Require ACT Writing

As of 2023, there are only 3 schools in the US that still require the ACT with Writing (or haven't clarified otherwise):

  • Martin Luther College (MN)
  • Soka University of America (CA)
  • United States Military Academy (West Point) (NY)

If you apply to any of these schools, you  must  take the ACT with Writing, otherwise your application won't be considered complete, and it won't be reviewed.

Full List of Colleges That Recommend ACT Writing

While few schools still require the ACT Writing section, it's still recommended for some schools. Note that when a college recommends ACT Writing, they're explicitly stating that a high score on your essay will give a decent boost to your college application and is a piece of information they appreciate seeing from applicants. This is different from schools that simply accept ACT Writing scores.

If a school accepts ACT Writing, that means they'll review your essay score if you take and send it. However, it's not something they're hugely interested in, and it may not have much or any impact on your application, even if your score is particularly high or low.

Recommending ACT Writing means that the college doesn't require it, but that scoring well on it will improve the strength of your application and help you reach equal footing with other applicants who do take it.

Many more schools used to recommend ACT Writing, but with the recent rise in test-optional admissions , as well as the SAT ending its essay section, almost no schools explicitly recommend it. Currently, most schools will view your ACT Writing scores if you send them, but it won't at all be an important part of your application.

Currently, four schools specifically state on their website that they recommend taking ACT Writing:

  • Colorado School of Mines (CO)
  • Bethune-Cookman University (FL)
  • Morehouse College (GA)
  • Molloy College (NY)

You can still get accepted into any of these schools if you don't take ACT Writing, but taking the essay can give your application a boost. If you're concerned about your chances of getting into one of these schools, a high ACT Essay score will give you a bit of an extra edge over the competition.

These policies can change at any time and, additionally, many schools aren't particularly clear  how/if they review ACT Writing scores. If there's a school you're particularly interested in, check their admissions page (usually under "standardized test policies" or something similar) to see if they state their policy on ACT Writing. If they don't, a quick email or phone call to the school's admissions office will clear the issue up and help you decide if you should take the ACT Writing section or not.

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What's Next?

Students might have the opportunity to take a digital ACT in the future.  Here's what you need to know.

Now that you know whether you need to take ACT Writing, make sure you do well on it. Learn the prompts that ACT Writing tests, 15 strategies to improve your ACT Writing score , and how to get a 12 on the essay .

Ready to work for a killer ACT English Language Arts Score? Make sure to remind yourself of what's actually tested on ACT English and ACT Reading .

For top strategies for scoring a 36 on ACT English, check out this article .

Don't forget the rest of the test —here are tips for getting a perfect ACT score, by a 36 full scorer .

Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points?

Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more.

Our program is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also have expert instructors who can grade every one of your practice ACT essays, giving feedback on how to improve your score.

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Mary Ann holds a BA in Classics and Russian from the University of Notre Dame, and an MA from University College London. She has years of tutoring experience and is also passionate about travel and learning languages.

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Berkeley Writing Assessment

Entry-level writing and the berkeley writing assessment.

The Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a reading and writing proficiency requirement. It is a prerequisite to the Reading and Composition (R&C) requirement. R&C is a two-part (A & B) college-level reading and writing requirement assigned to all Berkeley undergraduates. Check the Berkeley Guide to review information from your college for more details.

All students entering UC as first-year students should fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement by the end of the first year of enrollment at Berkeley. The ELWR may be satisfied with a qualifying test score , a college-level English composition course taken before starting at Berkeley, or a passing score on the Berkeley Writing Assessment.

The February BWA has been canceled.

The next  berkeley writing assessment will be administered online, saturday, may 11.  more details to come . .

There is a $196 fee for taking this assessment, which is charged  after you finish the assessment.

All assessments take place online. Please read on for more information. 

I have another question about the Assessment. Who do I contact?

You can email College Writing Programs at [email protected] or call the front desk at 510.642.5570. 

What is the Berkeley Writing Assessment?

The Berkeley Writing Assessment is a 2-hour timed reading and writing activity done online. It is made up of a reading passage and questions that you will write an essay in response to, without the assistance of outside readings, books, websites, ChatGPT, or other people. You will also complete a survey that tells us about your experience with writing and writing classes. An example of the type of writing you will be asked to do will be available soon on this page.

  • Read more about What is the Berkeley Writing Assessment?

How is the Assessment scored?

Each student essay will be read by two raters, working independently, to assign it a score from 1-6. The two scores are combined for the final score.

  • Read more about How is the Assessment scored?

How do I pass the Assessment?

This is not an exam in the traditional sense. The Assessment doesn't have passing or failing grades. Instead, it will tell you which composition class is best for you given your skills and experience. If you receive a combined final score of 8 or higher, you will be recommended to take a 4-unit Reading and Composition Part A course in the department of your choice, including College Writing Programs. If your score is lower than 8, you will take College Writing (COLWRIT) R1A , a 6-unit ...

  • Read more about How do I pass the Assessment?

Who should take the Berkeley Writing Assessment?

If you do not have a qualifying exam score at this time, or a C or higher in an English Composition course completed before starting Berkeley, you should consider taking the next available assessment.

The advantage of taking the upcoming assessment is to guarantee you will have the results in time for fall semester enrollment in mid-July to best determine if you will take ...

  • Read more about Who should take the Berkeley Writing Assessment?

Do I need to take the Assessment in order to enroll in COLWRIT R1A?

No, you may enroll directly in COLWRIT R1A without an assessment score. Many students appreciate taking the course as a way to improve their reading and writing skills in a small class environment (College Writing classes have only 14 students per section). The class is designed to set you up for success with your future writing assignments at Berkeley.

  • Read more about Do I need to take the Assessment in order to enroll in COLWRIT R1A?

I have a conflict with the most recent Assesment. Are there any make-up times?

Yes, the Berkeley Writing Assessment will be offered three times each year: the May administration (primarily for incoming students), once during the fall semester and then again in the spring semester. Note that you may take the Assessment only once . If you do not receive a qualifying score the first time you take the Assessment, and you have no other qualifying scores or acceptable transfer course completed prior to stating Berkeley, you should enroll in COLWRIT ...

  • Read more about I have a conflict with the most recent Assesment. Are there any make-up times?

How do I sign up for the Assessment?

If you are a newly admitted first-year student who has accepted the offer to attend Berkeley, you will be assigned a Task in your CalCentral Dashboard to complete an Entry Level Writing Evaluation form. If you are a continuing Berkeley student, or have missed the May assessment, there is a registration link on this page.

You may take the Berkeley Writing Assessment only once.

  • Read more about How do I sign up for the Assessment?

I am waiting on an AP or IB score - why should I consider taking the Assessment in May?

If you are interested in enrolling in an Reading and Composition course during the fall semester, then satisfaction of Entry Level Writing must be confirmed before the start of enrollment in mid-July. It may be to your advantage to take the Assessment in the annual May date as a back up in case you do not receive the minimum score needed on your AP or IB exam.

If you decide not to take the Assessment in May, and you do not receive a qualifying AP or IB exam score, you can still take a make-up Assessment during the fall or spring semester ...

  • Read more about I am waiting on an AP or IB score - why should I consider taking the Assessment in May?

I have taken an English composition course that may qualify. How do I know? When will I know? Should I consider taking the Assessment?

A California Community College course that is published on ASSIST under the General Education/Breadth agreement as articulated to ENGLISH R1A or ENGLISH R1B will satisfy Entry Level Writing . Once this course is posted to your Transfer Credit Report (usually by mid-November), if you earn a grade of C or higher, Entry Level Writing will be ...

  • Read more about I have taken an English composition course that may qualify. How do I know? When will I know? Should I consider taking the Assessment?

How do I know which test scores satisfy ELWR?

A list of accepted tests and scores is found at the University of California Admissions page.

  • Read more about How do I know which test scores satisfy ELWR?

I am confused about ACT Scores. How do they count?

Sorry, but no. It is a bit confusing. If your English score is 30, then you need a 33 or higher in Reading to satisfy ELWR.

You must score 30 on English as a minimum. But, if you score higher on English, such as 33, then you would only need a 30 in Reading to have a composite score of 63.

  • Read more about I am confused about ACT Scores. How do they count?

Can I use my Smarter Balance score to satisfy ELWR?

No. The Smarter Balance score is used by some campuses as an additional piece of information for placement into courses. UC Berkeley does not currently use the Smarter Balance Assessment.

  • Read more about Can I use my Smarter Balance score to satisfy ELWR?

I took the BWA. How long will it be until I get my score?

It generally takes around 3 weeks for your essay to be scored and for the score to be submitted before it appears in your records.

  • Read more about I took the BWA. How long will it be until I get my score?

How much does the Berkeley Writing Assessment cost?

The fee for the writing assessment is $196, which is charged to your dashboard. This charge will appear after you take the placement assessment.

  • Read more about How much does the Berkeley Writing Assessment cost?

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College Entrance Exams — What Admissions Tests to Take and How to Prepare

High school students often have many questions regarding college tests. Which tests do colleges care about most? How do colleges use test scores? There are many different tests that high school students can take in preparation for college and college admissions.

students sitting on steps with laptops

Top 7 Entrance Exams and College Tests

  • ACT (American College Test)
  • SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
  • SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II)
  • CLT (Classic Learning Test)
  • AP Test (Advanced Placement Test)
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
  • GED (General Education Development)

The main college entrance exams are the ACT and the SAT. The CLT is a newer alternative that is accepted by a small number of colleges. Colleges and universities, especially highly selective schools, may also require SAT Subject Tests. International students may be required to include a TOEFL score in their application to U.S. based schools.

How Do Colleges Use Entrance Exams?

College entrance exams are used by admissions counselors to evaluate applicants from different high schools and locations. For example, if an admissions counselor from one of the colleges in the pacific northwest is comparing an applicant from California with a 3.7 GPA to an applicant from New York with the same GPA—are the two students equally prepared, capable and meriting admission? Entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT help answer this question.

How important are test scores?

Some colleges require a minimum ACT or SAT score that applicants must have earned from an entrance exam in order to be admissible. Other schools look at the applicant holistically and utilize test scores as just one piece of the whole picture in making the admissions decision.

Many schools will publish the average SAT and ACT scores of incoming freshmen of the previous year. Knowing the average college entrance exam score for a university can help determine if you are a good candidate for admission at that school.

Colleges can also use test scores in other ways. In addition to qualifying a student for admission, a high test score can also qualify the student for merit-based scholarships. Math and English sections of college entrance exams are often used to place students in the appropriate first math and English classes at the university.

1. ACT (American College Test)

The ACT has four sections of multiple-choice questions (English, Math, Reading, and Science) plus an optional Writing section. The exam itself is 2 hours and 55 minutes or 3 hours 35 minutes with the Writing section. Each section is scored on a 1-36 scale. Your composite score is an average of the four sections with the highest score being a 36. The highest score possible on the Writing section is 12. The optional Writing section does not impact the composite score.

The four sections have the following time limits, with a 10-minute break after the Math section:

English: In this 75 multiple-choice section, students have 45 minutes to show their skills in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and rhetorical skills.

Math: This 60-minute section has 60 multiple-choice questions. Students are permitted to use a calculator from the list of approved calculators. Students will show their skills in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Trigonometry and are expected to know some basic formulas as they will not be provided.

Reading: Students will have 35 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions on four passages (10 questions per passage). This reading comprehension test measures the ability to read closely, reason logically about texts, and integrate information.

Science: In the Science section, students have 35 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions. Students read science-based passages utilizing graphs, charts, tables, and research. Students are asked to interpret data, analyze and evaluate scientific information (such as experimental results), draw conclusions, and make predictions.

ACT exams are offered seven Saturdays each year. When you register with ACT online, you will choose your test date and your testing site (often a local high school or college will host the exam). You need to register by the registration deadline for the date you choose, typically about a month prior to the exam. To register, you will need a computer with internet, a credit card or other payment, and a headshot photo. You will also be asked to provide information about your high school courses. Registration takes about 45 minutes.

2. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

There are two main sections of the SAT. You will earn a score from 200-800 for each section and your total score will be from 400 to 1600. The first section is called Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and it is comprised of two tests: The Reading test and the Writing and Language test.

The second part of the SAT is the Math test, which has two portions: The Math Test—Calculator and the Math Test—No Calculator. The SAT is a three-hour exam, not including breaks, with an optional 50-minute essay. There is a 10-minute break between the Reading test and the Writing and Language test, plus a five-minute break between the two parts of the Math test.

Reading: This section allows 65 minutes for students to answer 52 multiple-choice questions based on five passages. The passages cover a variety of topics, but you can expect one from literature, history, and social studies, and two from science. The types of questions vary as well. You may be asked to find the main idea of a passage, determine the meaning of a word in context, and determine how the author’s word choice impacts the style and tone of a passage.

Writing and Language: In this section, you are asked to edit writing samples using standard English conventions, such as grammar and sentence structure, to improve sections of passages. You will be asked to improve word choice and to strengthen the argument of a passage. You have 35 minutes to answer the 44 multiple-choice questions in this section.

Math: Students have 80 minutes to complete the SAT Math test, which is divided into two parts. In the “No-Calculator” section, you have 25 minutes to answer 20 questions (15 multiple choice questions and 5 grid-in questions). In the “Math with Calculator” section, students have 55 minutes to answer 38 questions (30 multiple-choice questions and 8 grid-in questions).

Grid-in questions are also called “student-produced response questions.”  Instead of choosing the correct answer from a list of options, students must enter the answer they calculated using the grids provided on the answer sheet. SAT describes the areas of math covered in this test as Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Passport to Advanced Math , as well as Additional Topics of Math that includes geometry and trigonometry.

SAT exams are offered seven Saturdays each year by the organization College Board®. When you register online, pay attention to the registration deadlines (approximately one month prior to each exam). You will choose the test date and location for your exam, upload a headshot photo and pay the registration fee.

students sitting at a computer lab in library

3. SAT Subject Tests

What are sat subject tests.

SAT Subject Tests are a collection of college entrance exams that focus on individual subjects. These tests can improve your admission credentials, however, not all colleges and universities require or consider SAT Subject Tests in their evaluation of applicants. As you prepare for college admissions, it is important to look at the requirements of each school you are interested in attending. If a college requires SAT Subject Tests, you should choose the subjects that you have recently covered in advanced classes—at honors, IB, or AP level, if possible.

There are 20 SAT Subject Tests, based on high school courses in the areas of history, English, foreign languages, science, and math. Each Subject Test takes one hour. The questions are all multiple-choice and you will earn a score of 200-800. Subject Tests are given six times a year, on the same days and locations as the SAT. However, when you register, pay close attention to the dates, as not all Subject Tests are offered each time.

4. CLT (Classic Learning Test)

What is the clt.

The new kid on the block of college entrance exams in the CLT. It remains to be seen if it will grow in mainstream acceptance. For now, the CLT is accepted at a small number of colleges—notably Catholic colleges, Catholic universities, protestant Christian schools, as well as some secular liberal arts schools. It offers a slightly shorter exam—just two hours (not counting the optional essay). The CLT is taken online, and scores are reported on the same day.

It’s worth noting that the CLT also allows students to score higher than a perfect 1600 on the SAT or 36 on the ACT, as these scores are comparable to 114 on the CLT. But students can score as high as 120 on the CLT, allowing for greater differentiation among top students.

5. AP Test (Advanced Placement Test)

Many high schools offer AP (Advanced Placement) courses. Content of AP courses must be approved by the College Board®, which is the same organization that administers the SAT and SAT Subject Tests). AP exams are standardized tests taken in May at the completion of each AP course to measure mastery of course content and skills. Scores are on a scale from 1 to 5. Scores of 3, 4, or 5 have the potential of earning you college credit.

Most AP exams are 2 to 3 hours in length. The 38 exams are unique, although the first part of the exam typically consists of multiple-choice questions and the second part consists of free-response questions.

While AP scores are not typically considered college entrance exams, it may be wise to include your scores when you apply to college if you have earned a high score. If your score meets the college’s guidelines for earning college credit, you will want to make sure to have your score(s) sent to the college you end up attending.

6. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

What is the toefl.

TOEFL tests are designed and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). This test provides a standardized way to measure the English skills of non-native speakers prior to enrolling in English-based colleges or other educational programs. TOEFL can be taken as a paper-based test but it is largely an internet-based test (TOEFL iBT is the full name of the test). The test is approximately 3 hours in length and has four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The score range for the TOEFL iBT exam is 0-120. Each section has a scale of 0-30 and the four scores are added together to earn the composite score.

7. GED (General Education Development)

The GED is a credential that can take the place of a high school diploma, allowing a student who did not complete high school to apply to college. A GED is earned by passing the GED test, which covers four subject areas--Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. The four subjects can be taken one at a time or all at once at an official GED test center.

Registration for the GED test is completed online. The test is $120 ($30 per subject area) and includes two free retakes per subject area. Scores for each subject range from 100 to 200. A passing score of 145 (150 in New Jersey) in each subject area is required to earn high school equivalency. A score of 165 is considered “college ready” and a score of 175 could earn college credit. The GED is accepted in lieu of a high school diploma at most US colleges. Online registration closes 7 days before the desired test dates.

ACT vs SAT - What’s the Difference?

Do colleges prefer the act or the sat.

Both the ACT and the SAT can be used for admission to any college or university in the USA. Some schools require or recommend the optional writing section these tests offer, so be sure to research the requirements of the schools you are interested in attending. It is true that some schools “prefer” one test over the other, but there are official conversion tables that colleges use to translate your ACT composite score into the comparable SAT score and vice versa. While the tests are similar in many ways, there are some differences that can help students determine which test is a better fit.

In the SAT, math makes up half your score. If a student typically does well in the math section, then the SAT may be the best choice. Math is only one-fourth of the composite score on the ACT.

The SAT may be better for students who struggle with running out of time on exams. The SAT averages 48 seconds for each Writing and Language problem, while the ACT allows for only 36 seconds per question. The SAT allows 75 seconds for each reading problem and 83 seconds on average for each math problem, while the ACT allows only 52.5 seconds per question in the Reading section and just 60 seconds each in the Math section. If a student can focus well and work quickly, the ACT can be a great fit.

Calculators and Math Formulas

The ACT allows the use of calculators for the entire math section. The SAT has two math sections: one which allows calculators and one which does not. The SAT provides a reference sheet that contains some of the formulas needed, specifically geometric math formulas and three math laws. The ACT does not provide any formulas; students need to remember them. 

Essay Content: Understanding the Argument vs Making the Argument

The optional essay section on the ACT requires you to read a short passage about an issue, then write an essay analyzing the different points of view—while also making the argument for your own opinion.

The optional SAT essay requires you to use evidence and reasoning to analyze the argument used by the author of a passage. Students are directed to avoid offering an opinion on the issue. In the SAT essay, you only need to demonstrate an understanding of the argument.

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How to Prepare for College Entrance Exams

If you are in high school, it is not too early to start preparing. By junior year, you should have a good idea how to prepare for college and how to choose a college . The first step to prepare for a college entrance exam is to choose which exam you are going to take.

Most students find that if they take an ACT practice exam and an SAT practice exam (you can find practice exams online or from your school counselor), score them, and compare the scores, there is a clear choice for which exam is a better fit. If you score about the same on each practice exam, ask yourself if you prefer one test over the other and focus on the test you like best. Alternatively, if you took the PSAT exam, and also a preACT exam or ACT Aspire, you can use your test scores from these practice tests to help you choose which college entrance exam is best for you.

Although the best preparation for a college entrance exam is to take challenging high school classes and apply yourself to your schoolwork, it is also helpful to prepare for your ACT or SAT using a test prep program. You can pay a lot of money for the expertise of a tutor or test prep center, and the benefit of the individual expert help will maximize your time spent on test preparation.

There are more affordable ways to study for your entrance exam. You can buy an official test prep book from ACT or SAT. The book will include practice problems and test-taking tips to help you review your knowledge, learn important rules and common types of questions, and help manage your time on exam day.

You can also practice for free online. SAT has partnered with Kahn Academy to provide free online SAT exam preparation. ACT recently released ACT Academy , a free online test preparation resource. When practicing for entrance exams, self-discipline is key. If you are close to your exam date, schedule a regular time each day to practice testing.

Many students plan to take the ACT or the SAT multiple times. Students often find that they can improve their scores after learning from the first experience. Since it is advisable to complete your testing by the end of your junior year, it may be wise to register for your first exam at the end of sophomore year or by early spring of your junior year. If you are only going to take the test once, plan for one right at the end of junior year. This can help minimize the chances of forgetting something important during summer vacation.

Final Tips on College Entrance Exams

Don’t wait until the last possible test date to schedule your college entrance exam. Things can happen—for example, you may catch a cold and not be at your best. As you develop your list of preferred colleges, keep track of their admissions requirements and any information about how they evaluate test scores. Many colleges require that your test scores be sent directly from the testing agency (from ACT or SAT), while other schools will accept a test score if it is listed on your official high school transcript.

When you register for an ACT or SAT, you can choose to send your score to four colleges for free. Take advantage of this offer, unless you’d rather wait for the results. To send your score to a university, log in to your ACT or College Board account and order your test scores sent to the schools that need them. You may need to pay a fee for each score report. If you wait until the last minute and need the scores “rushed” you will be an additional fee for that.

Some colleges will “superscore” if you took the ACT or SAT multiple times. For the ACT there are four sections that make up the composite score but a superscore takes the highest score for each section (for up to 4 different test dates) and creates a new super composite score. If you’re interested in a college that superscores, it makes sense to take the entrance exam multiple times.

Remember to bring what you need on test day and avoid bringing any restricted items. You will be dismissed from the testing if you do not follow the policies and procedures (such as having your phone ring during the exam). Don’t bring a brand-new calculator—bring one you know well and make sure the batteries are going to last through the exam. Finally, get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast before the test.

College entrance exams are an important part of the college admissions process. These standardized tests help schools evaluate applicants from a variety of educational backgrounds. As you narrow your list of preferred colleges, research each school’s testing preferences and requirements. If a college accepts both the ACT and SAT, you can choose the test that best suits your skillset. Evaluate your strengths and your performance on practice exams to help you decide between the ACT and SAT tests. With proper planning and preparation, you’ll be ready to perform your best on test day.

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Practicing Online for College Reading Comprehension & Writing Skills Tests

Are you about to become a college student? If so, then an English Placement Test is likely to come up.

The purpose of this exam is to better define your academic level prior to your first semester.

Find out more about what you can expect on a typical college English placement exam, and how TestPrep-Online can help you prepare.

Free Sample Questions

Main Topics of English Placement Tests

In the world of college placement testing, there are many different versions of the English Placement Test. Various states, colleges and companies have developed their own placement test products. However, the two primary areas covered in all of these exams include:

  • Writing Skills
  • Reading Comprehension

College Placement English Sample Questions

Each of the following sentences has four answers, each restating the original sentence in different words. Find the answer which best matches the meaning of the original sentence.

Playing with toys helps in the development of young children's brains.

1. The development of young children depends upon playing with toys 2. Children who play with toys develop more rapidly then children who do not. 3. The development of a child's brain is aided by playing with toys. 4. Parents buy toys for their children in order to help them develop

Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is C . Answer A says young children's development  depends  on toys, instead of being  helped  by it. Answer B refers to the speed of the development, which wasn't mentioned originally. Answer D refers to parents' motives for buying toys, which also was not mentioned originally.

Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

Creating a program and ____ an existing program are fairly similar.

1. Modifying 2. Planning 3. Disarranging 4. Closing 5. Integrating

The correct answer is (A).  

The reason why this answer is correct is that it is the only logical answer. We are looking for a word that is close to creating as this is what the question asks for. Planning and integrating are stages of program creation, but they are not the actual creation. Therefore, only option A can be correct. Creating a program and   modifying  an existing program are relatively similar.

Select the word that is spelled  incorrectly .

1. Judgment 2. P ermanant 3. Dialogue 4. Adjacent

The correct answer is B. The correct spelling of the word is  permanent .

Which of the following sentences is grammatically incorrect?

1. After driving to the game, please make sure to picked up groceries. 2. She will be conducting your interview today. 3. The documents can be found on your desk. 4. The trip to Los Angeles is scheduled for the last week of the month.

"After driving to the game, please make sure to  pick up  groceries." There is incorrect use of the infinitive – " to picked " instead of " to pick ".

Some developed countries have _____ population growth, which means that the number of deaths _____ the number of births.

1. negative....exceeds 2. ominous....intercedes 3. positive.....outpaces 4. unstable....surmises

The correct answer is (A) — negative . . . exceeds. Some developed countries have negative population growth, which means that the number of deaths exceeds the number of births. The expression "which means that" tells us that there must be a correlation between the two parts of the sentence, so the missing words should form ideas that go together. In answer (B),  ominous  means "foreboding" or "telling of future danger," and to  intercede  means to "interfere" or "mediate between two sides." Placing this word pair in the sentence does not form a meaningful sentence. In answer (C),  outpaces  means "exceeds, be faster than." Placing  positive . . . outpaces  in the sentence forms a contradiction, because if the number of deaths outpaces that of births we get a negative population growth, not a positive one. In answer (D),  surmises  means "guesses" or "draws a conclusion," so  unstable . . . surmises  is not the correct answer either. In answer (A),  exceeds  means "surpasses." Therefore,  negative . . . exceeds  is the correct answer: If the number of deaths surpasses that of births, we indeed get negative population growth.

"Pierce" means the same as…

1. Rocky 2. Immense 3. Abstract 4. Stab 5. Fold

The correct answer is stab. 1. Rocky is something is unsteady, like balancing on rocks 2. Immense is large 3. Abstract is a theoretical idea 4. Fold is action done to object, but does not physically change the object 5. Both Pierce and Stab mean to impede an object through another object.

Writing Skills Placement Test

Colleges use placement tests to identify those incoming students who would benefit from a remedial English course, and also to highlight the entering students who qualify for advanced classes. Your Placement Test result has the power to add extra remedial courses onto your required class load, with the effect of increasing your collegiate timeframe.

This increase would impact the cost of your college education. It is therefore to your benefit to achieve your best possible score on the College English Placement Test. As you learned in high school, preparing for any test gives you an advantage when you face the actual exam questions. Preparing for the English Placement Test involves working on sample placement tests to gain a familiarity of the format and types of questions. A sample test is readily available at TestPrep-Online.

Writing Skills Exam Content – You will find essays and questions that are meant to assess your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, usage, vocabulary, sentence structure, organization, style and effectiveness of expressions. Some versions of Writing Skills Placement Tests are contained in two subtests:

  • English Usage Test
  • Sentence Correction Test

Questions involving English usage require students to identify deviations from standard written American English. As to the sentence correction focus, you will be expected to choose the most effective phrase for each problematic statement found in the essays presented.

On the Writing Skills Test, you will find five basic elements found in standard American English:

  • Pronouns – referencing a noun, case, consistency
  • Verbs – tense consistency and weak construction
  • Modifiers – placement, adjective and adverb form, comparison
  • Diction – idioms and diction
  • Sentence Problems – comma fault, economy of words, subordination, fragment, word order, logic, punctuation for clear understanding

Writing Skills Test Format – You can expect to find an error-filled essay. You highlight a phrase containing mistakes. The essay will remain on the left side of the monitor, while on the right side the original phrase and four substitute phrases will appear. You choose the one phrase that effectively corrects the highlighted phrase. If you think that no change is necessary, pick the original phrase as your answer.

The response that you pick will be placed into the essay, giving you the opportunity to review your choice as it actually fits into the passage. You have the option of changing your answer simply by again clicking on any phrase and choosing one out of the five possible responses.

When you are done working with the essay, click on “Finished Editing Essay.” The computer will then send you another essay or end the exam.

This multiple-choice placement test is most often administered by computer. Students generally take approximately 80 minutes to complete the entire English Placement test, spending an average of 30 seconds on each exam item.

Reading Comprehension Test

The focus of the Reading Comprehension Test is on vocabulary, style and the meaning of each sentence. This exam contains college level passages. An assessment of your ability to interpret and understand the passages is the aim of the Reading test. The five aspects of tested comprehension include:

  • Interpret figurative language
  • Understand the literal meaning
  • Identify the underlying organization
  • Draw inferences
  • Recognize styles

How to Prepare for College Writing Skills and Reading Comprehension Placement Tests

If you hope to do your best on Reading and Writing Skills exams, then studying for these placement tests is essential. Studying for College Placement Tests (CPTs) involves working on practice tests, reviewing a study guide and learning testing strategies. You have the affordable opportunity to connect with an online Reading Comprehension and Writing Skills preparation program through TestPrep-Online.

ACCUPLACER® and WritePlacer® are trademarks and property of COLLEGE BOARD. The trademark holder is not affiliated with TestPrep-Online or this website.

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College Reality Check

College Reality Check

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13 College Entrance Exams And When To Take Them

Al Abdukadirov

A college entrance exam is a standardized test designed to evaluate a college-bound student’s aptitude in various areas such as math as well as reading and writing skills.

Among postsecondary institutions in the US, some of the most popular entrance examinations, which are also widely considered the main ones, are the SAT and the ACT.

More than 80% of American colleges and universities — some of whom are test-optional, while others are test-blind — do not require applicants to take entrance exams and submit their scores.

Yet, in most instances, students could benefit from taking them even when not required in admissions.

Some scholarship programs, for instance, require college entrance exams as a qualifying factor.

Certain standardized exams, on the other hand, allow for the earning of credit, which can shorten the duration of college and lower its cost.

At some test-optional colleges, the submission of exam scores, particularly when encouraged, may increase admissions chances.

In this post, we will discuss some of the most important things high school teens planning on going to college should know about 13 different college entrance exams, namely:

  • SAT Subject Tests

1. ACT (American College Test)

The ACT was introduced in 1959 as a competitor to the SAT, which, up to that time, was the only standardized college entrance examination.

In 2022, around 1.3 million graduating high school students took the ACT, and the national composite score that year was 19.8 out of the highest possible score of 36.

Is it required by colleges?

According to the Common App, only 4% of colleges and universities require standardized test scores in the admissions process, which means that the vast majority of postsecondary institutions do not require the ACT.

How important is it in college admissions?

ACT scores are taken into account in the admissions process if submitted to colleges with a test-optional policy. In some instances, they are used to place admits in classes that are at the appropriate level for them.

What is the format?

The ACT consists of 4 sections, all of which are in multiple-choice formatting: English, mathematics, reading and science. There is an optional 40-minute-long writing section on the ACT.

When do you take it?

Most college admissions officers suggest that high schoolers take the ACT twice — in the junior year and in the senior year — to determine their strengths as well as weaknesses that they should improve on.

Where do you take it?

ACT test-takers sit for the college entrance exam at various testing locations across the country, including high schools, career schools and colleges and universities.

The ACT may also be administered via the internet.

How much does it cost?

The ACT with no writing costs $66.00, while the ACT with writing costs $91.00. For non-US residents, meanwhile, the ACT with no writing costs $181.50, while the ACT with writing costs $206.50.

How should you study for it?

Generally speaking, it’s recommended for high schoolers to use official study resources when preparing for the ACT, which is best done 2 to 3 months before the test date. They should also take official practice tests to determine weak points.

How does scoring work?

The composite ACT score, which is the average of a test-taker’s scores on all sections, can range anywhere from 1 to 36. Scores are either rounded up or rounded down, which is why there are no ACT scores with decimal points.

Read our review of the ACT test .

2. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

The SAT came into being in 1926, evolving from an army IQ examination. In 2022, around 1.7 million high schoolers took the SAT.

It’s more popular than the ACT, particularly on the East and West coasts.

Most institutions of higher education in the US do not require applicants to submit their SAT scores, although it may boost the odds of students getting in at test-optional schools, especially if their composite scores are high.

At test-optional colleges and universities, according to a survey, SAT scores may be used by admissions officers when other factors on an application are similar, thus serving as a tie-breaker.

The SAT consists of a total of 2 sections, all of which are multiple-choice question types: math (no calculator and calculator sections) and reading and writing. There is an optional essay section that’s 50 minutes long.

According to general consensus, the best time for college-bound teens to take the SAT is in the fall or spring of their junior year of high school and also in the fall of their senior year of high school.

The SAT is administered at various centrally-located educational institutions, including high schools as well as colleges and universities.

Eventually, the SAT will be available online, though it will still have to be taken at test centers.

The SAT costs $60, although there’s an additional $43 regional fee for international students.

Students who are planning on sitting for the SAT are recommended to improve their reading speed and also reading comprehension skills. They are also encouraged to take at least 2 full-length practice tests to determine strengths and weaknesses.

The composite ACT score, which is the sum of the scores in the different sections (between 200 and 800), can range anywhere from 400 to 1600. There are no penalties for wrong answers.

Read our review of the SAT test .

3. SAT Subject Tests (Formerly SAT II)

First things first: the administration of Sat Subject Tests was discontinued by The College Board for both domestic students and international students in 2021.

There were a total of 20 subjects covered, and many selective postsecondary institutions back then could require applicants to take 1 or even more SAT Subject Tests.

When it was still in existence, not too many colleges and universities required SAT Subject Tests. Those who did, in most instances, required applicants to submit at least 2 SAT Subject Test scores.

There were some colleges that included SAT Subject Tests as a part of the general admissions process.

However, it’s not uncommon, too, for some to require applicants to submit their scores in the said college entrance examinations if interested in applying to certain programs with a more selective admissions process than most.

Like the SAT, SAT Subject Tests consisted of multiple-choice questions, the number of which varied from subject to subject. For instance, the Math SAT Subject Tests had 50 questions.

On the other hand, the Literature SAT Subject Test had 60 questions. The 20 subjects covered were grouped into 5 categories: math, science, English, history and languages.

Students were recommended to take SAT Subject Tests in their junior and senior years of high school.

Similar to the SAT, high school teeners who would like to take the SAT Subject Tests had to select from an assortment of test centers across the US, which usually included high schools and degree-granting institutions.

The basic registration fee for the SAT Subject Tests was $26.00. Test-takers had to shell out additional fees for each subject test, most of which cost $22.00 — those with listening sections could go up to $26.00 each.

High schoolers who were planning on taking SAT Subject Tests were recommended to prepare for the standardized test around 3 months in advance. As expected, the College Board provided official review materials and practice tests.

The lowest score test-takers could get on SAT Subject Tests was 200, while the highest was 800. The score was obtained by getting 1 point for every correct answer, although a fraction of a point was subtracted for every wrong answer.

Back then, most selective colleges and universities that required SAT Subject Tests preferred a score of 700 to 650 or higher.

4. Preliminary SAT (PSAT)

Because the “P” in its name stands for “Preliminary,” it doesn’t come as a surprise that the PSAT serves as a practice test for the SAT, although it’s slightly shorter and easier.

However, the PSAT, which is also known as the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), serves as an eligibility test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, too.

Colleges and universities do not require applicants to submit PSAT scores.

However, as mentioned above, it’s a must for those who would like to see whether or not they are qualified for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

To be eligible, however, students would have to sit for the PSAT in their junior year of high school as well as score higher than 99% of all test-takers.

The PSAT is an important role player in the college admissions process, particularly when applying to test-required or test-optional schools, in that it helps high schoolers score better on the SAT.

While the majority of PSAT questions are multiple-choice kinds, some math questions require test-takers to write in their answers rather than select them.

The entire examination, which is 2 hours and 45 minutes long, consists of 3 sections, and they are reading, math and reading and writing.

Due to the fact that the PSAT should be taken in the junior year of high school for test-takers to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, most take it in the 11th grade. However, it may also be taken in the 9th and 10th grades.

Instead of taking the PSAT at test centers, students typically take it in their middle or high schools.

Registering for the PSAT costs $18.00. Some educational institutions, however, may charge test-takers an additional fee to cover the costs of having the standardized exam by the College Board administered.

It’s usually enough for students to prepare for the PSAT around 2 months before the test date. Because the PSAT is administered every October, test-takers have to start studying at the start of the fall semester or earlier.

The total PSAT score can range anywhere from 320 to 1520, which is based on the total of 2 section scores: evidence-based reading and also writing and math. The score for each of the said sections ranges from 160 to 760.

Read our review of the PSAT test .

5. Preliminary ACT (PreACT)

Intended for 10th grade students but can also be administered to teens of any grade, the PreACT is designed to help test-takers prepare for the ACT by giving them a sense of the actual test as well as the testing experience.

Compared to the PSAT, which is its direct counterpart, the PreACT is relatively newer, given that it was invented in 2016.

The PreACT is not required in college admissions — it’s strictly only for practice for the ACT, unlike the PSAT which serves not only as a practice for the SAT but also as an eligibility exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Because the PreACT may help increase ACT scores, sitting for it may increase the chances of a high schooler getting into a college where ACT scores are considered either a requirement or an optional submission.

Just like the ACT, the PreACT consists of multiple-choice questions students have to answer in 2 hours and 10 minutes — there are pretest activities such as discussion of key concepts and test-taking strategies that last for 1 hour.

There are a total of 136 questions to answer, and there’s no writing section — just English, math, reading and science.

Even though it’s meant for 10th graders, the PSAT can be taken at any time during high school.

Rather than at test centers such as career schools and colleges and universities, the PreACT is administered through local high schools. Students at high schools that do not administer it may sit for the PreACT at nearby high schools that do.

The PreACT costs $17.00 per test-taker.

Students who are thinking about taking the PreACT are recommended to study for it 2 to 3 months before the test day.

Since the PreACT is very similar to the ACT, high schoolers may rely on official and unofficial ACT study materials and practice tests even though there are also those that are specifically for the PreACT.

While ACT scores range from 1 to 36, PreACT scores range anywhere from 1 to 35. In both standardized examinations, questions answered correctly are counted and translated into a number between 1 and 35.

6. Advanced Placement (AP) Test

Designed and administered by the College Board, which is the same non-profit organization responsible for the PSAT and SAT, AP tests are standardized tests that measure a student’s mastery of AP courses.

However, it can be taken, too, without taking AP courses. Many colleges and universities accept AP exam scores to award credit or for placement purposes.

Postsecondary institutions do not require AP tests in the admissions process.

Although AP tests do not influence admissions decisions, they can allow applicants, particularly those with high scores, to earn college credits or college placement — or, in some instances, both.

On the other hand, AP courses can boost admissions chances as it increases the rigor level of a student’s high school record, which most colleges consider.

Each AP exam covers a different subject matter. It’s also divided into 2 sections — the first section typically consists of multiple-choice questions, while the other section usually consists of free-response questions.

The number of questions to answer can vary from one AP exam to the next, and most AP tests are 2 to 3 hours long.

The majority of high schoolers take AP exams in their junior and senior years, though 10th graders may also take them.

AP exams are administered in high schools and test centers.

The cost of each AP exam is $97.00 at schools in the US, US territories, Canada and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) institutions. At schools elsewhere, the cost is $127.00 per test.

Studying 1 to 3 months before May, which is when AP exams are administered, is recommended.

High school students who would like to take AP tests without attending classes may use official and unofficial AP exam test preps — it’s possible to sit for an AP examination without attending the corresponding AP class beforehand.

AP exam scores are reported on a 5-point scale. A score of 3 or higher is considered a passing grade.

Read our review of the AP tests .

7. International Baccalaureate (IB) Test

IB tests are available only to students who have successfully completed associated IB courses.

As of this writing, there are more than 1,200 schools in the US that offer IB courses, around 91% of which are public. IB tests are administered in May of the senior year of high school, although internal assessments take place earlier in January or February.

Postsecondary institutions do not require applicants to have participated in any IB test or the entire IB diploma program.

However, it can allow students to earn college credit or placement, depending on the policy of the school that accepts it.

Because IB is an international program, it can help boost a student’s chances of getting admitted to international colleges and universities, including some of the most selective ones.

IB Diploma Facts

Unlike most standardized tests, IB exams rarely rely heavily on multiple-choice questions — many questions are either free-response questions and there are essays, too, depending on the subject matter.

When in high school do you take it?

It’s during the senior year of high school when IB exams are taken, although up to 2 standard-level IB exams may be taken by students at the end of their junior year of high school.

Students sitting for IB exams usually undergo the standardized tests at high schools that offer IB courses, though some colleges and universities may also serve as test centers.

The entire IB diploma program costs $11,650.00. But given that a student can usually earn up to a maximum of 30 credits, which costs $16,110.00 using a rate of $537.00 per credit , a total of $4,460 in college costs can be saved.

Still, it’s important to note that some alternatives to the IB test are cheaper and may also allow students to earn more credits, such as CLEP — here’s a link to an article talking about this option.

Studying for 1 to 3 months before the test date is recommended for students who would like to sit for an IB test. Paying attention while attending the corresponding IB course is an important part of the process.

An IB diploma program score is the sum of the grades for each of the 6 subjects, with 7 being the possible highest grade, thus giving a total of 42 points. Core components allow for 3 additional points, thus bringing the maximum score to 45.

Read our review of the IB tests .

8. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Created and administered by the College Board, CLEP measures the proficiency level of high school students in introductory college courses, thus allowing them to earn credit where CLEP exams are accepted.

No college or university in the US requires applicants to sit for CLEP exams. However, more than 2,900 institutions of higher education in the country grant credit for CLEP, although credit policies can vary from school to school.

CLEP is not important in college admissions, although the test-taking experience may increase a high school teen’s confidence in sitting for the SAT or ACT, which is considered an academic factor in the admissions process at many colleges.

Most CLEP exams, which usually last for around 90 minutes, consist of multiple-choice questions, around 90 to 100 of them. There are some CLEP tests, such as Spanish with writing and college composition, with an essay section.

High schoolers can take CLEP at any year level provided that they are already at least 13 years old .

CLEP examinations are administered at various test centers. They range anywhere from high schools, colleges and universities, military bases and independent testing organizations.

No matter the subject matter or length, all CLEP tests cost $85.00 each.

Passing CLEP exams usually requires test-takers to prepare 1 to 3 months before the test date, depending on how well they know the subject matter and their learning style.

The College Board provides official CLEP study courses, guides, practice tests and various other resources for those who would like to sit for it.

A CLEP test-taker gets 1 point for every correct answer. The raw score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 20 to 80. According to the American Council on Education (ACE), a score of 50 or higher is recommended for credit.

Read our review of the CLEP Exams .

9. CLT (Classic Learning Test)

More than 200 institutions of higher education, many of which are private faith-based and liberal arts schools, accept CLT as a replacement for more popular college entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT.

Some test-optional colleges that are not partners with CLT may replace CLT scores as alternatives to SAT and ACT scores.

Like most other standardized exams, CLT is not a requirement in the admissions process at schools that accept it.

Similar to the SAT and ACT, CLT-partner schools use CLT to evaluate the college readiness of applicants.

Needless to say, the higher the CLT exam score, the higher the chances of getting in. In some instances, CLT results may be used by certain scholarships to determine the eligibility of a student.

A CLT exam contains a total of 120 multiple-choice questions, which test-takers have to answer in 2 hours. It is divided into the following sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and grammar/writing.

CLT is designed to be taken by junior and senior high school students. For those who are in the 9th and 10th grades, CLT10 is available, which is a preparatory exam for CLT just like the PSAT for the SAT and the PreACT for the ACT.

High school students take CLT exams at designated CLT partner schools.

A CLT exam, which includes the optional essay, costs $54.00.

It’s usually recommended for 9th and 10th graders to gear up for CLT exams 3 to 4 months before the test date. They can rely on official CLT study guides as well as answer past exams as a form of practice.

Each of the 3 sections of CLT is scored a minimum of 0 points and a maximum of 40 points. Combined, a CLT test-taker can have a score ranging from 0 to 120. While there is no passing score, colleges accepting CLT decide on acceptable scores.

10. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Simply put, the TOEFL test is designed to assess an individual’s ability to combine listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to succeed in an English-speaking learning environment.

The standardized test score is globally accepted, which is why it’s primarily for international students who would like to demonstrate their proficiency in English.

Many colleges and universities not only in the US but also various institutions across the globe, which amount to more than 11,000 schools, require international applicants to sit for the TOEFL test.

Other than making a student eligible to apply, the TOEFL test may also increase admissions chances.

The TOEFL exam consists of 4 sections — reading, writing, speaking and listening. Test-takers are given a total of 3 hours to answer the questions, which come in multiple-choice formatting.

11th graders are the ones who are best suited to take the TOEFL exam. That’s because the passages are tricky and the vocabulary is high-level, which lower-year high school students may have trouble with.

It’s at authorized test centers across the US and all over the planet when the TOEFL exam is administered.

Depending on the location of the test-taker, the TOEFL exam can cost anywhere from $100 to $120.

The general consensus is that test-takers should prepare for the TOEFL exam 2 to 3 months before the test date, although those who have very little experience with the English language may have to prepare more in advance.

Reviewing official TOEFL guidebooks as well as taking official practice tests are highly recommended.

Each of the 4 sections of the TOEFL exam is scored from 0 to 30. The total score, which is the combination of the scores in the different sections, can range anywhere from 0 to 120.

11. General Education Development (GED)

Individuals who didn’t go to high school and would like to get their hands on a diploma equivalent may take the GED exam.

Every year in the US, more than 700,000 individuals take the GED exam, which is designed to assess the test-taker’s knowledge and skills in 4 important areas, and they are math, science, social studies and language arts.

In most instances, students who are applying to colleges and universities with a GED are required to take the SAT or ACT.

When choosing, test-takers should opt for the standardized test they are comfortable and confident with. Here’s an article on which between the SAT and ACT it’s easier to get a perfect score.

With the absence of a high school diploma, the GED serves as the single most important application requirement.

The GED exam consists of 4 subject matters, which are divided into these sections: mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, social studies and science.

All in all, the standardized test takes 7.5 hours to complete, although it’s possible to take a single subject at a time. Most of the questions are multiple-choice.

Students may take the GED test at any time after they reach the age of 16.

The GED exam is administered at test centers. It may also be taken with online proctoring.

The cost of the GED exam can vary from state to state. It can be as low as $45, such as in Maryland. However, it’s not uncommon for test-takers to shell out a total of $120 to take all 4 subject tests.

Most students have to study for the GED exam 3 months before the test date. Since it consists of different sections, it’s important to determine one’s strong and weak areas by taking practice tests.

The official website of the GED offers a number of study guides that prospective test-takers may access free of charge.

It’s important for GED exam takers to get a score of 140 (score can range from 100 to 200) on each of the 4 subjects for them to pass and, of course, earn their GED diploma.

12. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Created and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the GRE is a standardized exam that is designed to test a test-taker’s overall readiness for graduate school, usually for a business or law program.

Needless to say, it’s not for high school students looking for undergraduate admission. Late in 2023, a shorter version of the GRE will be launched.

Fewer and fewer American graduate schools rely on the GRE for admissions purposes. On the other hand, it’s still considered an important requirement for students who would like to attend international graduate schools.

Graduate schools that require the GRE will not review applications without it. It’s not unlikely for some graduate departments to also require applicants to take any of the various GRE Subject Tests.

The GRE is a computerized, multiple-choice question exam that takes 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete.

The shorter version, which was mentioned earlier, will only be 1 hour and 58 minutes long. There is 1 unscored section and 3 scored sections — analytical writing, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning.

High schoolers are not eligible to take the GRE.

It’s in Prometric testing centers and at other testing centers (only on select dates) where the GRE is administered.

The cost of the GRE general test is $150 — the price will remain the same even after the shorter version of the examination is out. In certain parts of the planet, such as Australia and China, the registration fee is higher.

ETS, the creator and administrator of the GRE, provides a number of free GRE test prep resources as well as for-purchase ones. Most GRE test-takers will have to prepare for the standardized examination 2 months before the test date.

Individuals who take the GRE will get 3 different scores in the 3 different sections. Scores for the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections range from 130 to 170, and scores for the analytical writing section are from 0 to 6.

Read our review of the GRE test.

13. Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

At its core, the GMAT is an entrance exam for business schools, in particular graduate programs such as business and management.

Created in 1953, it’s designed to determine how an MBA applicant would perform in graduate courses. A total of 156,453 GMAT exams were taken by business school applicants all over the planet in 2021.

Most highly-ranked business schools require applicants to submit their GMAT scores. On the other hand, approximately 45% of online business schools require aspirants to submit theirs.

At business schools where the GMAT is a part of the admissions process, the standardized test is not only a requirement but may also help increase an applicant’s chances of getting in, especially where acceptance rates are low.

The GMAT takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. There are a total of 64 questions, some of which are multiple-choice. It consists of 3 different sections — quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning and data insights.

High schoolers are not eligible to take the GMAT.

It’s at Pearson VUE test centers where the GMAT is administered, although it can be taken online, too.

Pearson VUE, an IT service management company, is taken on board by the GMAT to provide the exam. The entrance exam for business schools is administered in 114 countries around the world.

The GMAT exam costs $275.00 in-person and $300.00 online.

Business school applicants should prepare for the GMAT exam 2 to 3 months before the test date.

The creator of the GMAT, which is the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), offers official GMAT exam practice test materials free of charge. Those who are preparing for the standardized test may choose to purchase additional ones from GMAC.

The composite GMAT score ranges from 200 to 800, and it’s the combination of one’s scores from the different sections. A GMAC score of at least 700 is considered excellent.

Read our review of GMAT test here .

ACT vs. SAT: Which Is Best For You?

Which between the ACT and SAT is best to take depends on the strengths and preferences of the test-taker.

Because both standardized exams are hard and no college or university has a preference for one, a high school student who is planning on taking either should instead consider the one where he or she is more likely to score better.

The general consensus is that the ACT is more high school curriculum-based, while the SAT is more on being an aptitude test, although recent modifications to the SAT have made it somewhat less true.

Since the ACT has a science section, it may appeal more to high schoolers who love the said subject matter.

However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that students whose strengths include reading comprehension and data interpretation should opt for the SAT.

The science section of the ACT also requires test-takers to read and analyze passages, similar to when going through the SAT’s writing and language section, which is why reading and analytical thinking skills are vital in both.

As a matter of fact, while the SAT is longer and has fewer questions than the ACT, the said college entrance exam has a lot of questions that require lengthy reading and problem-solving.

After all is said and done, still, the content of the ACT and SAT are pretty much the same.

Therefore, choosing which of the standardized tests to take will have to rely heavily on what a high schooler prefers in terms of question types and test-taking strategies as well as how well he or she handles time pressure.

In making a decision, it’s usually a good idea for students to take full-length practice tests of both — official practice tests from the College Board and ACT, Inc. are the best ones as they are practically simulations of the actual exams.

The exam on which they score better, needless to say, is what they should register for.

Below is a conversion table of the composite scores of the ACT (without the writing test) and the SAT:

How to Prepare for College Entrance Exams

Different college entrance exams serve different purposes. Similarly, because each covers specific subject matters and has a unique format, it’s of utmost importance for test-takers to review the right topics as well as practice the right test-taking strategies.

Knowing the steps to take to get ready for a standardized test, needless to say, is of utmost importance.

Because AP tests are based on college-level courses, naturally, they are typically more difficult than regular high school subject tests.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that some AP tests are more challenging than others, thus requiring teeners who are about to sit for them to spend more time and effort preparing.

Steps to preparing for the AP exam

  • Review 1 to 3 months before the test date
  • Go through materials from the AP class
  • Study new or additional materials
  • Give problematic topics and concepts more time
  • Take practice tests from the College Board and other sources

Resources to consider

  • The College Board resources such as AP Daily and AP Live Review
  • Advanced Placement YouTube channel
  • The Princeton Review’s Premium Prep series
  • Khan Academy

While it’s true that the PSAT is easier and shorter than the SAT, it introduces high schoolers to the structure and subject matter of the SAT, which can help make preparing for the latter easier for most test-takers.

Steps to preparing for the SAT exam

  • Review 2 to 3 months before the test date
  • Check out test-taking strategies
  • Read test prep books
  • Determine weaknesses and work on those
  • Take full-length practice tests from the College Board and other sources
  • The College Board suite of assessments for the PSAT and SAT
  • The College Board YouTube channel
  • Barron’s Study Guide Premium
  • The Princeton Review

Serving as a simulation of the ACT testing experience and the test itself, the PreACT is less challenging and lengthy.

Still, taking it is recommended for high school teens who would much rather sit for the ACT than the SAT (or take both standardized tests) because it can help test-takers acclimatize to the exam and reduce their test anxiety, which can impact their scores.

Steps to preparing for the ACT exam

  • Pay close attention to high school core courses
  • Know the instructions and different sections
  • Take full-length practice tests from the ACT and other sources
  • The ACT’s K12 Solutions and Official ACT Prep Guide
  • ACT YouTube channel
  • Mometrix Test Preparation

Generally speaking, TOEFL is a quite difficult exam. It goes without saying that foreign students with very little to no experience with English may find it tougher than those with some experience with the language.

Steps to preparing for the TOEFL exam

  • Familiarize oneself with the exam format and pattern
  • Read and speak English and listen to podcasts everyday
  • Use official and unofficial TOEFL review materials
  • Take practice tests
  • The official TOEFL website (ETS)
  • TOEFL TV Official YouTube channel
  • ETS the Official Guide to the TOEFL Test

Other Tests:

  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Al Abdukadirov

Independent Education Consultant, Editor-in-chief. I have a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering and training in College Counseling. Member of American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

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University Writing Program

elwr-header

Entry-Level Writing Requirement

Belltower at Night

The Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a University of California reading and writing proficiency requirement that all first-year students must satisfy. This requirement is not an admissions requirement. The ELWR must be satisfied either before beginning courses on a UC campus or during the first year of enrollment. For information about individual high schools’ success rates in preparing their students to satisfy the ELWR, please go to the UC Office of the President website . 

There are a variety of ways incoming students can satisfy the ELWR both before or after they officially matriculate (enroll full-time).

Ways to Satisfy ELWR

  • Before Enrolling Full-Time at UCR
  • After Enrolling Full-Time at UCR
  • Summer Options

Students may satisfy the ELWR by any one of the following ways:

  • 30 or better on the ACT, English Language Arts; or
  • 63 or better on the ACT, English + Reading
  • 30 or better on the ACT, Combined English/Writing (exam last administered June 2015); or
  • 680 or better on the SAT, Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing; or
  • 680 or better on the SAT Reasoning Test, Writing (exam last administered January 2016); or
  • 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English (Language or Literature) or Seminar; or
  • 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement assessment in Research
  • 5 or above on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Higher Level English A1 exam); or
  • 6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Standard Level English A1 exam); or
  • 5 or above on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Language and Literature exam; or
  • 6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Language and Literature exam; or
  • Satisfactory score on the UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam
  • The requirement can also be met by earning a grade of C or higher in a transferable English composition course offered by a college or university.

Students who have not satisfied the ELWR before beginning as full-time students must enroll in one of UCR’s Entry-Level Writing courses during their first quarter on campus. The Director of the University Writing Program determines the appropriate course based on the students' AWPE exams, and placements are made available to students electronically.

  • A seven-week, five-unit ENGL004 course at UCR from July through September.
  • A seven-week, ten-unit Highlander Early Start Academy program at UCR from July through September; Students will take English 4, an Oral Communication course, and an Early Start Seminar.
  • Complete with a grade of C or better an Entry-Level Writing Requirement course during the summer at another UC campus .  Check UC campus' home pages for summer school information.
  • Complete with a grade of C or better a 4 quarter-unit or 3 semester-unit college-level course in English composition (equivalent to UCR ENGL 001A), taken at another institution before the student enters UCR, and judged acceptable by the Office of Admissions. To find out whether a course at your local campus is acceptable, go to www.assist.org . Passing this course satisfies both the ELWR and the ENGL 001A requirements. Students who choose this option should have reason to believe they can pass an advanced writing course. This option is not available to students after they begin at UCR as full-time students.
  • Complete with a grade of C or better a preparatory writing course at a CSU or community college campus , and then retake and pass the AWPE at UCR in September. The course should be completed in time to submit evidence of a passing grade to the University Writing Program Office by the start of the Fall Quarter. Students should submit evidence of passing a passing grade along with a note including their name, student ID number, and a request to be added to the September exam roster. Once the grade report is approved, students receive permission to retake the AWPE. (A photocopy of a grade report is sufficient and can be emailed, along with a note, to Sheena Thrush (UWP Counselor), at [email protected] . This option is not available to students after they begin at UCR as full-time students.

Analytical Writing Placement Exam

About the test.

The Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) determines if entering students can read and write at the level expected to satisfy the Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).  The AWPE will be administered at UC Riverside throughout the spring/summer to incoming new freshmen who have not yet satisfied the ELWR.  Students who write satisfactory exams satisfy the ELWR are eligible to enroll in the first course of the UCR Freshman Composition sequence (English 1A - Beginning Composition).  Students whose exams are determined to be unsatisfactory are given instructions to enroll in a particular ELWR course. UCR urges all new students to satisfy their ELWR before becoming a full-time student in the fall.

Students who have not officially satisfied the ELWR in one of the UC approved methods must complete the AWPE.  Completing the AWPE on one of the test dates in May or June will ensure that students have placement information before registering for fall quarter classes when attending their Highlander Orientation Session in July or August.  Students may complete the AWPE during their in-person Highlander Orientation session.

More information regarding the UC elwr

Sample Prompt

You will be given a prose passage to read carefully. The passage is followed by a question or topic related to the prose passage but intended to give you the opportunity to express your own opinions and ideas. Respond to the topic by writing an essay that is controlled by a central idea and is specifically developed. You will have two hours to read the passage and complete your essay. You may underline the passage and make marginal notes as you read. Plan your essay before you begin writing, using the scratch paper provided. Allow time to review and proofread your essay and to make any revisions or corrections you wish. Your essay should be at least two or three pages long (unless your handwriting is very small or large). The question requires no specialized knowledge. We are interested in your thoughts on the issue you write about and in your presentation and expression of them. Your essay will be evaluated on the basis of your ability to develop your central idea, to express yourself clearly, and to use the conventions of written English.

Each essay is scored independently by two readers, who measure it against the 6 point scoring guide, written by the experts who developed the examination. Papers with composite scores (sum of the two readers’ scores) of 8 and higher satisfy the UC Entry-Level Writing Requirement. Results from exams completed in May or June will be sent to each student at the beginning of July (before the first Highlander Orientation Session). Results are final; your essay will not be re-evaluated after the University-wide scoring session.  

The fee for this exam is $100 and will be automatically added to your student account after completing the essay exam.  Students who receive a fee waiver for the UC Application Fee will also receive a fee wavier for the Analytical Writing Placement Exam.    

Students who have not satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement must take the Analytical Writing Placement Exam.

2023-2024 Academic Year

Test Dates:

*Students may also test on Day 1 of their in-person Highlander Orientation Session as an alternative to the test dates listed above.  Registration for the AWPE during an in-person Highlander Orientation session is now closed. **All 2023-2024 Analytical Writing Placement Exams will be administered in-person at UCR.

It is necessary to register for the Analytical Writing Placement Exam: 

  • Select a test date listed in the chart above.
  • Or register for the exam during your Highlander Orientation session.
  • ie. Driver's license, passport, R'Card, High School photo ID, etc.
  • Bring 1-2 blue or black ink pens.
  • Know your UCR Student ID Number (862-xxx-xxx)
  • AWPE administrations during Highlander Orientation sessions are at a different location.  Please follow all instructions from the Orientation office regarding the check-in process.
  • Visitor Parking information
  • Lot 1 ( ParkMobile ) 
  • Lot 24 ( Permit Dispenser )
  • Please submit accommodation requests to the SDRC at least 3 weeks before your preferred test date.

Questions about the Analytical Writing Placement Exam should be addressed to the UWP Counselor,  Sheena Thrush .

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If students have not satisfied the requirement upon entrance as full-time students, they must satisfy the ELWR within three quarters of full-time enrollment.

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Students who have not satisfied the ELWR after three quarters of university residence (three quarters of enrollment during the regular academic year) are not normally eligible to enroll for a fourth quarter at the University of California.

elwr-books

For students placed in BSWT001 or BSWT003, this three-quarter residence rule begins after satisfactory completion of BSWT003 or the start of their fourth quarter of regular enrollment at UCR, whichever comes first.

A: By doing so, students can begin their first quarter enrolled in the required English Composition sequence (ENGL 001ABC), thus taking a step toward finishing their undergraduate degrees within four years. There are a variety of ways to satisfy the ELWR before beginning in the fall, several of which are summer opportunities.

A: Testing early gives students placement information in ample time for them to exercise the option of enrolling in summer school if their results are unsatisfactory. It also helps ensure that all students will be able to register for their fall quarter courses when they come to UCR during the summer Highlander Orientation.

A: No. The University Writing Program will offer additional exam administrations throughout the summer, including test dates during each in-person Highlander Orientation Session. Please view the Analytical Writing Placement Exam section above for more information about make-up exam test dates.

A: If you did not pass the May or June AWPE, you can enroll in an ELWR course during Summer Session E. Session E is deliberately scheduled after most of the Highlander Orientation sessions to accommodate students who decide, as a result of their Orientation experience, to satisfy the writing requirement during the summer.

A: Register online at orientation.ucr.edu .

A: Go to the home page of each of your local community college and/or CSU campuses and follow the prompts to the summer schedule. Look for courses in basic writing or preparatory writing. Remember that on this pathway you take a preparatory English course, pass with a C or better, and then retake the AWPE at UCR in September. For complete information about this option, view the ‘Summer Options’ listed above.

A: If you are considering taking a course that will satisfy the ELWR and earn transfer units for ENGL 001A, use www.assist.org to identify these courses at community colleges and CSU campuses. For approved courses from other colleges or universities, check with the UCR Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 

A: If the University has not received evidence that you have passed the AP exam, you will receive information about taking the AWPE in May or June. We recommend that you take the exam on one of these test dates to increase your chances of passing the Entry-Level Writing Requirement. A passing score on either exam (the AP or the AWPE) is enough to satisfy the writing requirement. However, a score of 3 or better on the AP examination will also enable you to be exempted from one or two of the required Freshman Composition courses (ENGL 001A, ENGL 001B).

A: Yes, there is a $100 fee for the Analytical Writing Placement Examination. The fee will be automatically added to your student account after you complete the essay exam. This fee will be waived if you have already received a waiver of your UC application fees.

A: You will not have satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement and will need to repeat the course in the following quarter. Register for the same English course again via R'Web during open enrollment. R'Web can be accessed on the web at https://rweb.ucr.edu .

A: Check your grades on R'Web. You will be able to see if you passed your English course with a grade of “C” or above. If you receive a “C” or above in ENGL 004, you will have fulfilled the Entry-Level Writing Requirement and can register for the first course in the Freshman series of English Courses, ENGL 001A (Beginning Composition). If you received a “C-“ or lower as a grade in the ENGL 004 course, you will need to repeat the course to try to attain a “C” or above.

A: You must repeat the course. You have three quarters of academic residence to satisfy the Entry-Level Writing Requirement. After this time, students who have not satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement are not typically allowed to register for a fourth quarter.

A: Yes, full-time students eligible for financial aid will have their fees paid in accordance with their financial aid package allocations for the repetition of ENGL 004.

A: Students should contact their academic advisor. 

Information about College Advising offices:

  • College of Engineering – Academic Advising
  • College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences – Academic Advising  
  • College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences – Academic Advising
  • School of Education – Academic Advising
  • School of Public Policy – Academic Advising

A: First year UCR students have their first three (3) quarters to earn a satisfactory grade in ENGL 004. Students who have not fulfilled the Entry-Level Writing Requirement by the end of this time period will not be allowed to register in courses for the following (fourth) quarter. No extra fees will be charged for repeating the course during a student’s first three quarters of enrollment.

A: Talk with your instructor. Make use of office hours. You can also go to the UCR Academic Resource Center. The ARC provides assistance through an English “drop-in” tutoring program. UCR students are available to help you with your work. To check the drop-in tutoring hours, please consult the ARC website . The ARC website also explains the many programs offered to assist students. They are there to help you.

A: You can stop by the Financial Aid Office, Student Services Building, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or call the office during these hours at 951-827-3878. For the UCR policy on remedial and repeated courses, see the Financial Aid website at www.finaid.ucr.edu and select “Maintaining Eligibility.”

The Financial Aid office assists students with meeting educational expenses that cannot be met from personal resources. For more information on grants, loans, employment, scholarships and corresponding application deadlines, go to finaid.ucr.edu or e-mail [email protected] .

writing test for college entry

Complete List: Which Colleges Require ACT Writing?

writing test for college entry

What Is the ACT Writing Test?

The ACT Writing Test is an optional section of the ACT exam that assesses a student's writing skills. It provides colleges and universities with an additional measure of a student's readiness for college-level writing assignments. The test consists of a single prompt that presents a specific issue or topic and requires students to take a position on it. Students are given 40 minutes to plan, write, and revise their response.

The ACT Writing Test evaluates a student's ability to analyze multiple perspectives, develop and support an argument, and effectively communicate ideas in a coherent and organized manner. It assesses critical thinking, reasoning, and persuasive writing skills. The essay is scored on a scale of 2-12 by two independent readers who evaluate the overall quality of the response, including its development, organization, and use of language.

While the ACT Writing Test is optional, many colleges and universities require or recommend it for admissions. Some schools use the writing score as part of their evaluation process, while others consider it as supplemental information. It is essential for students to check the requirements of the schools they are applying to in order to determine whether they should take the ACT Writing Test.

Preparing for the ACT Writing Test involves honing writing skills, familiarizing oneself with different types of prompts, and practicing writing under timed conditions. Students should develop their ability to construct a clear thesis statement, support it with relevant evidence and examples, and demonstrate strong reasoning and critical thinking skills.

Taking the ACT Writing Test can provide students with an opportunity to showcase their writing abilities and enhance their college applications. It allows them to demonstrate their proficiency in expressing ideas effectively and persuasively. By preparing adequately and practicing writing skills, students can perform well on the ACT Writing Test and present themselves as strong candidates to colleges and universities.

Why Do Some Schools Require ACT Writing?

Some schools require the ACT Writing Test as part of their admissions process for several reasons:

1. Writing Assessment: The ACT Writing Test provides colleges and universities with a standardized measure of a student's writing abilities. It allows admissions officers to evaluate a student's writing skills, including their ability to construct a well-organized essay, develop and support arguments, and convey ideas effectively. By assessing a student's writing proficiency, schools can better determine if the student is prepared for the rigors of college-level writing assignments.

2. Holistic Evaluation: Including the ACT Writing Test helps colleges and universities get a more comprehensive understanding of a student's academic abilities. It complements other components of the application, such as grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities, providing a more well-rounded view of the applicant. Schools may consider the writing test to gain insights into a student's critical thinking, analytical skills, and ability to communicate effectively.

3. Writing-Intensive Programs: Some colleges and universities place a strong emphasis on writing skills and have writing-intensive programs or majors. For these institutions, the ACT Writing Test becomes an important tool for assessing a student's aptitude for written communication. Requiring the writing test helps ensure that admitted students are capable of meeting the demands of writing-intensive coursework and projects.

4. Standardized Comparison: The ACT Writing Test provides a standardized way to compare writing abilities across applicants. It offers a consistent measure of writing skills that is easily comparable across different schools and regions. By requiring the writing test, schools can use it as a common benchmark for evaluating applicants and making admission decisions.

It's important for students to research the requirements of the schools they are interested in to understand whether the ACT Writing Test is required or recommended. Some schools may consider the writing score as an important factor in their evaluation process, while others may place less emphasis on it. Understanding the expectations of each school will help students make informed decisions about whether to take the ACT Writing Test and how to best prepare for it.

What Kind of Colleges Require ACT Writing?

Several colleges and universities require the ACT Writing Test as part of their admissions process. These schools may have different reasons for including the writing section and vary in their emphasis on its importance. Here are some types of colleges that often require ACT Writing:

1. Highly Selective Colleges: Many highly selective colleges and universities, including Ivy League institutions, top-ranked private universities, and prestigious liberal arts colleges, often require ACT Writing. These schools receive a large number of applications and aim to holistically evaluate candidates, considering their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and writing abilities.

2. Writing-Intensive Programs: Colleges and universities with writing-intensive programs or majors often require the ACT Writing Test. These programs may include majors in English, creative writing, journalism, communications, or any field that emphasizes strong writing skills. Requiring the writing section helps these institutions assess a student's ability to meet the demands of writing-intensive coursework.

3. Honors Programs: Many colleges and universities have honors programs that offer advanced coursework, research opportunities, and a more challenging academic experience. These programs often require the ACT Writing Test to gauge a student's writing skills and intellectual capabilities. Demonstrating strong writing abilities is particularly important for admission to honors programs.

4. Scholarship Consideration: Some colleges and universities require the ACT Writing Test for scholarship consideration. Merit-based scholarships, especially those that focus on academic achievement or leadership, may use the writing score as a factor in awarding scholarships. Requiring the writing section allows these institutions to assess a student's overall potential and eligibility for financial aid.

5. State Universities: Some state universities, particularly flagship and highly competitive public institutions, may require the ACT Writing Test. These schools often have a large applicant pool and may use the writing section to differentiate between candidates who have similar academic profiles. Requiring the writing test helps these universities make more informed admission decisions.

It's important for students to check the specific requirements of each college or university they are interested in to determine whether ACT Writing is mandatory or recommended. College websites and admissions offices typically provide this information. Students should also consider their own writing abilities and goals when deciding whether to take the ACT Writing Test, as well as the potential benefits it may provide for their college applications.

Full List of Colleges That Require ACT Writing

While the ACT Writing Test is optional for most colleges and universities, there are some institutions that require or recommend it as part of their admissions process. Here is a list of colleges and universities that currently require ACT Writing:

1. University of California (UC) System: All nine campuses of the University of California system require ACT Writing. These campuses include UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced.

2. Claremont McKenna College: This private liberal arts college in California requires ACT Writing for admission.

3. Colorado School of Mines: ACT Writing is required for admission to this public research university specializing in engineering and applied science.

4. Georgia Institute of Technology: Georgia Tech requires ACT Writing for admission to its undergraduate programs.

5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: This public research university requires ACT Writing for admission.

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT requires the ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay for admission.

7. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan requires ACT Writing or SAT Essay for admission.

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: ACT Writing is required for admission to UNC-Chapel Hill.

9. University of Notre Dame: ACT Writing or SAT Essay is required for admission to Notre Dame.

10. University of Pennsylvania: The University of Pennsylvania requires ACT Writing or SAT with Essay for admission.

11. University of Virginia: ACT Writing or SAT with Essay is required for admission to the University of Virginia.

Please note that this list is subject to change, and it's essential for students to verify the requirements of each institution they are interested in as part of their college application process. Additionally, some colleges and universities may recommend ACT Writing but not require it. Students should check with individual institutions to understand their specific policies regarding ACT Writing.

In conclusion, while the ACT Writing Test is optional for most colleges and universities, there are some institutions that require or recommend it as part of their admissions process. It is important for students to research and understand the specific requirements of each college they are interested in to ensure they meet the necessary criteria. Adhering to the ACT Writing requirements can help students present a comprehensive application and increase their chances of admission to their desired institutions.

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Berkeley Berkeley Academic Guide: Academic Guide 2023-24

Entry level writing requirement.

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by satisfying the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).

The UC Entry Level Writing Requirement website provides information on how to satisfy the requirement by one of three options:

Standardized Exam option

See the link above for acceptable minimum scores on standardized exams.

Berkeley Writing Assessment (BWA) option {formerly known as the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE)}

High school students planning to attend a UC campus may take the Berkeley Writing Assessment  in May of their senior year. 

Admitted students who have not yet satisfied the requirement may take a make-up BWA their first semester at Berkeley .

English Composition Course option

Admitted student s may opt to complete a course articulated to the ENGLISH R1A course, as published in ASSIST , provided the course is completed by the start of the term of admission to Berkeley. A grade of C or higher will satisfy both Entry Level Writing and Part A of the Reading and Composition requirement.

Once an Admitted student begins courses at Berkeley, and the requirement has not otherwise been met, students must complete COLWRIT R1A. A grade of C or higher is will satisfy both Entry Level Writing and Part A of the Reading and Composition requirement.

Print Options

When you print this page, you are actually printing everything within the tabs on the page you are on: this may include all the Related Courses and Faculty, in addition to the Requirements or Overview. If you just want to print information on specific tabs, you're better off downloading a PDF of the page, opening it, and then selecting the pages you really want to print.

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Update To Testing Policy

February 5, 2024

Update On Dartmouth's Standardized Testing Policy

Informed by new research, dartmouth will reactivate the standardized testing requirement for undergraduate admission beginning with applicants to the class of 2029.

When Dartmouth suspended its standardized testing requirement for undergraduate applicants in June 2020, it was a pragmatic pause taken by most colleges and universities in response to an unprecedented global pandemic. At the time, we imagined the resulting "test-optional" policy as a short-term practice rather than an informed commentary on the role of testing in our holistic evaluation process. Nearly four years later, having studied the role of testing in our admissions process as well as its value as a predictor of student success at Dartmouth, we are removing the extended pause and reactivating the standardized testing requirement for undergraduate admission, effective with the Class of 2029. For Dartmouth, the evidence supporting our reactivation of a required testing policy is clear. Our bottom line is simple: we believe a standardized testing requirement will improve—not detract from—our ability to bring the most promising and diverse students to our campus.

An Evidence-based Policy Reactivation Informed by New Research and Fresh Data

A new research study commissioned by Dartmouth President Sian Beilock and conducted by Dartmouth economists Elizabeth Cascio, Bruce Sacerdote and Doug Staiger and educational sociologist Michele Tine confirms that standardized testing— when assessed using the local norms at a student's high school —is a valuable element of Dartmouth's undergraduate application. Their illuminating study found that high school grades paired with standardized testing are the most reliable indicators for success in Dartmouth's course of study. They also found that test scores represent an especially valuable tool to identify high-achieving applicants from low and middle-income backgrounds; who are first-generation college-bound; as well as students from urban and rural backgrounds. It is also an important tool as we meet applicants from under-resourced or less familiar high schools across the increasingly wide geography of our applicant pool. That is, contrary to what some have perceived, standardized testing allows us to admit a broader and more diverse range of students.

The finding that standardized testing can be an effective tool to expand access and identify talent was unexpected, thought-provoking, and encouraging. Indeed, their study challenges the longstanding critique that standardized testing inhibits rather than broadens college access; they note that contextually strong testing clearly enhances the admission chances of high-achieving applicants from less-resourced backgrounds when such scores are disclosed. Indeed, their finding reinforces the value of Dartmouth's longstanding practice of considering testing within our broader understanding of the candidate as a whole person.  Especially during the pandemic's test-optional period, my colleagues and I sharpened our awareness of local norms and environmental factors, as well as the degree of opportunity available at a student's high school and in their community. Those environmental elements of discovery and assessment were one of the fortuitous by-products of the extended pandemic moment during which we reimagined traditional guidelines and practices.  Knowing what we now know, it is an approach we will preserve as we move forward. Contextualized testing is an essential element of our individualized, holistic review. Of course, Dartmouth will never reduce any student to their test scores. It is simply one data point among many, but a helpful one when it is present.

The faculty researchers write: "Our overall conclusion is that SAT and ACT scores are a key method by which Dartmouth can identify students who will succeed at Dartmouth , including high performing students…who may attend a high school for which Dartmouth has less information to (fully) judge the transcript." Simply said, it is another opportunity to identify students who are the top performers in their environments, wherever they might be.

Indeed, as Dartmouth experienced our first admissions round with a "testing recommended" advisory this past fall, we set new institutional records for access even as 75 percent of those early acceptances included testing as an element of the application. We celebrated two early milestones: 22 percent are first-generation college bound and 21 percent qualified for a zero-parent contribution with family incomes and assets at or below $65,000 USD. These outcomes encourage and excite us, and we view contextualized testing as another opportunity to amplify our objective to admit and enroll a broadly heterogenous undergraduate class that is well-prepared to succeed in the curriculum we offer.

Lessons Learned from Test-Optional Practices

Our experience with optional testing has been enlightening. As with the other optional elements of the Dartmouth application—an alumni interview, a peer recommendation—the decision to share testing was individualized. But as the faculty study notes, "Some low-income students appear to withhold test scores even in cases where providing the test score would be a significant positive signal to admissions." Dartmouth admission officers also observed this pattern: Our post-admission research showed students with strong scores in their local framework often opted for a test-optional approach when their scores fell below our typical mean or mid-50% range. Often, those scores would have been additive, positive elements of the candidacy had they been shared. The absence of such scores underscores longstanding misperceptions about what represents a "high" or a "low" score; those definitions are not binary. A score that falls below our class mean but several hundred points above the mean at the student's school is "high" and, as such, it has value as one factor among many in our holistic assessment. That is how we consider testing at Dartmouth, and the opportunity to imagine better ways to inform students about their "score strength" will be a priority for us.

Moreover, the Dartmouth faculty study found testing "allows Dartmouth admission officers to more precisely identify students who will thrive academically." In our high-volume, globally heterogeneous applicant pool in which most candidates are "high achievers," environmental and historical data, high school performance, and testing—when taken together—offer the most robust framework for predicting success at Dartmouth. That finding was especially true for applicants from under-resourced high schools, noting that students with standardized test scores at or above the 75th percentile of test-takers from their respective high schools are well prepared to succeed in our fast-paced, rigorous course of study. All scores are assessed through that local framing as we seek excellence from new geographies.

Reactivating and Reimagining Our Testing Requirement

Beginning with the Class of 2029, Dartmouth will once again require applicants from high schools within the United States to submit results of either the SAT or ACT, with no Dartmouth preference for either test. As always, the results of multiple administrations will be super-scored, which means we will consider the highest result on individual sections of either exam regardless of the test date or testing format. For applicants from schools outside the U.S. , results of either the SAT, ACT or three Advanced Placement (AP) examinations OR predicted or final exam results from the International Baccalaureate (IB), British A-Levels, or an equivalent standardized national exam are required. This distinction between students attending a school in the U.S. or outside the U.S. acknowledges the disparate access to American standardized testing—as well as the lack of familiarity with such testing—in different parts of the world. Dartmouth's English language proficiency policy remains unchanged: For students for whom English is not the first language or if English is not the primary language of instruction for at least two years, students are required to submit an English proficiency score from TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or the Cambridge English Exam.

Dartmouth will pair the restoration of required testing with a reimagined way of reporting testing outcomes, ideally in ways that are more understandable for students, families, and college counselors. For example, when testing was submitted as part of our Early Decision round for the Class of 2028, 94 percent of the accepted students who shared testing scored at or above the 75th percentile of test-takers at their respective high school. More significantly, this figure was a full 100 percent for the 79 students who attend a high school that matriculates 50 percent or fewer of its graduates to a four-year college. Accordingly, we will develop a new testing profile that seeks, in part, to disrupt the long-standing focus on the class mean and mid-50 percent range, with hopes of empowering students to understand how a localized score aligns with the admissions parameters at Dartmouth.

An Enduring Commitment to Holistic Admissions

Dartmouth has practiced holistic admissions since 1921, and that century-long consideration of the whole person is unquestionably as relevant as ever. As we reactivate our required testing policy, contextualized testing will be one factor—but never the primary factor—among the many quantitative and qualitative elements of our application. As always, the whole person counts, as do the environmental factors each person navigates. And, as always, we will evaluate and reframe Dartmouth's undergraduate admission requirements as the data and the evidence informs us.

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Levels and resources, exam administration, results and certificates, training and events, run trinity's exams, resources for writing (entry level 3), activities for integration.

Each lesson in Trinity's ESOL Activities for Integration includes clear objectives, comprehensive teaching notes, handouts and exam tips where relevant.

writing test for college entry

Entry level 3 - Practice papers and tasks - Writing

Practice activities suitable for this level.

  • Entry level 3 - Writing -  Sample paper 1
  • Entry level 3 - Writing -  Sample paper 2
  • Entry level 3 - Writing -  Sample paper 3
  • Entry level 3 - Writing -  Sample paper 4
  • Entry level 3 - Writing -  Sample paper 5
  • Entry level 3 - Writing -  Sample paper 6
  • Entry level 3 - Writing -   Task 2
  • Entry level 3 - Writing -   Task 3
  • ESOL Skills for Life - Writing -   blank mark sheet

Example marked papers

  • Entry level 3 - Writing -   Marked writing paper 1
  • Entry level 3 - Writing -   Marked writing paper 2

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blurred hospital ward, staff not identifiable

NHS nurses being investigated for ‘industrial-scale’ qualifications fraud

Scam involves more than 700 healthcare workers who used proxies to pass test in Nigeria enabling them to work in the UK

Hundreds of frontline NHS staff are treating patients despite being under investigation for their part in an alleged “industrial-scale” qualifications fraud.

More than 700 nurses are caught up in a potential scandal, which a former head of the Royal College of Nursing said could put NHS patients at risk.

The scam allegedly involves proxies impersonating nurses and taking a key test in Nigeria , which must be passed for them to become registered and allowed to work in the UK.

“It’s very, very worrying if … there’s an organisation that’s involving themselves in fraudulent activity, enabling nurses to bypass these tests, or if they are using surrogates to do exams for them because the implication is that we end up in the UK with nurses who aren’t competent,” said Peter Carter, the ex-chief executive of the RCN and ex-chair of three NHS trusts, calling it an “industrial-scale fraud”.

He praised the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for taking action against those involved “to protect the quality of care and patient safety and the reputation of nurses”.

Nurses coming to work in the UK must be properly qualified, given nurses’ role in administering drugs and intravenous infusions and responding to emergencies such as a cardiac arrest, Carter added.

Forty-eight of the nurses are already working as nurses in the NHS because the NMC is unable to rescind their admission to its register, which anyone wanting to work as a nurse or midwife in Britain has to be, unless directed to do so by an independent panel at a hearing. In the meantime, it has told them to retake the test to prove their skills are good enough to meet its standards but cannot suspend them.

The 48 are due to face individual hearings, starting in March, at which they will be asked to explain how they apparently took and passed the computer-based test (CBT) of numeracy and clinical knowledge taken at the Yunnik test centre in the city of Ibadan. At the hearings, a panel may direct the NMC to remove individuals from the register . The times recorded raised suspicions because they were among the fastest the nursing regulator had ever seen.

But the NMC is taking more direct action with a 669-strong second batch of Nigerian health staff – again mostly nurses, but also including fewer than five midwives – whose test results it has found were also obtained through fraud. Most of them have also already come to the UK, sources say.

However, they are in a different position to the 48 because they are thought to be mainly working as healthcare assistants in the NHS and care homes. That is because the NMC has not approved their applications to join its register while it continues to investigate widespread impersonation at the Yunnik test centre.

About 80 nurses from the 669 applicants have obtained a new CBT test and applied to join the NMC register, so they can start working in that role. However, the nursing regulator has banned almost all of them because it had “serious concerns” about their honesty and trustworthiness.

“This is because even with a new CBT there remains character concerns given what happened at Yunnik and what the data appeared to show about these individuals,” the NMC said.

Andrea Sutcliffe, the NMC’s chief executive and registrar, said it had taken necessarily robust action after Pearson VUE, which had a contract with the Yunnik test centre, alerted it last year to what she called “widespread fraudulent activity” in which a “proxy tester” posed as a nurse.

“This is the first time we’ve found evidence of widespread fraud at a test centre,” she said. It is the biggest-ever such fraud the NMC has come across, she added.

The deception at Yunnik has led to the NMC declaring the CBT test results apparently obtained by 1,955 Nigerian-trained health professionals to be invalid. All of them, even including the 1,238 about whom the regulator says it cannot prove fraud was involved, have been given three chances to resit the CBT test, or face expulsion or exclusion from the register.

“We have concerns that 48 people already on the register obtained their test result fraudulently. We’ll hold hearings where an independent panel will decide whether those individuals gained fraudulent entry to our register. If so, they’re likely to be removed from the register,” said Sutcliffe.

“There are 669 applicants to the register about whom we have the same fraud concerns. We’re reviewing each application carefully in line with our guidance on health and character. We’ve refused entry to the register for the vast majority of the 80 applications we’ve considered so far, and those individuals can appeal.”

The future of the 717 nurses remains unclear. The GMB union fears that those refused on to the NMC register will be sent back to Nigeria. It said nurses had been “exploited” in Nigeria, urged the NMC to let all those with suspect test results to be allowed to retake the test in the UK and said the health service needed their skills to help address the UK-wide shortage of nurses.

The GMB said two Nigerian women who are members had had their applications for NMC registration refused, despite insisting that their test results from Yunnik were legitimate. Both had then been dismissed by the private care home where they were working, until their status was established, and they now fear they will be deported to Nigeria with their families.

“Those in charge at this centre have exploited the hope of workers wanting to nurse in the UK and left our members in a desperate situation.

“The profession’s high standards of integrity must be enforced but these aspiring nurses were badly advised, firstly to enrol at this centre and then give questionable accounts of what happened there,” said Louise Gilmour, the GMB’s Scotland secretary.

“They should be given another chance and allowed to work if they pass the necessary tests in the UK.

“These are workers, mostly women, willing to uproot their lives and settle here to work in a health and social care service that is suffering a crisis in staff recruitment and retention.”

The NMC has stopped using 40 of the 800 test centres worldwide it used before the Yunnik fraud came to light, including Yunnik itself.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are aware of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) fraud investigations into nurses who passed their computer-based test in one centre in Nigeria.

“We are advised that the NMC is taking all necessary steps to ensure the integrity of its register and that patient safety is protected.”

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