SAT/ACT/THEA Testing Information

by Dianna Clayton

Most colleges will accept either test and will use the highest score among all tests taken. You need to check for sure with the college of your choice regarding their entrance requirements. We recommend the ACT because it is much like the TAKS. Also, you have already taken two practice ACT tests (Explore & Plan.)

If you go to a community college, you only need the THEA OR COMPASS, and you do not need to take the SAT or the ACT.

If you later transfer to a university, you will be a transfer student and will not need the SAT or ACT—if you have enough transfer hours.

ACT and SAT recommend that a student take their tests at least twice. You don’t have to take both of them, but you may if you want to try both assessments. You may register on-line at the websites indicated below, or use a paper mail-in application available in the counselor’s office.

Similarities:

• Colleges accept both assessments.
• Calculators on the math sections may be used.
• The student essay persuasive writing. Examinees are presented with an issue relevant to high school students. Two different perspectives on the issue are provided. The examinee may choose to support one of these perspectives or to develop a response based on their own perspective.

SAT^®

SAT Information: Register online at www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student . See the website for more information. The information below is from the SAT website.

**Regular registration fee $49.00. Late registration $75.00.

2011-12 Test Dates	Test	U.S. Registration Deadlines*
2011-12 Test Dates	Test	Regular	Late (fee applies)
October 1, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	September 9, 2011	September 21, 2011
November 5, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	October 7, 2011	October, 21, 2011
December 3, 2011	SAT & Subject Tests	November 8, 2011	November 20, 2011
January 28, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	December 30, 2011	January 13, 2012
March 10, 2012	SAT Test only	February 10, 2012	February 24, 2012
May 5, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	April 6, 2012	April 20, 2012
June 2, 2012	SAT & Subject Tests	May 8, 2012	May 22, 2012

ACT

ACT Information: Register online at http://www.actstudent.org/. The info below is from the ACT website.

**Regular registration fee $49.50. Late registration $70.50.

TEST Date	Registration Deadline	LATE Registration
October 22, 2011	September 16, 2011	September 17 – 30, 2011
December 10, 2011	November 4, 2011	November 5 – 18, 2011
February 11, 2012	January 13, 2012	January 14 – 20, 2012
April 14, 2012	March 9, 2012	March 10 – 23, 2012
June 9, 2012	May 4, 2012	May 5 – 18, 2012

THEA

You must pass this test to attend any Texas college or to take Dual Credit courses unless...

THEA Exemptions (any one will do)

ACT composite score of 23 with a minimum or 19 on both Math and English
SAT 1070 or higher with a minimum of 500 on Math and on Verbal
Exemption because of high TAKS scores (2300 in math and 2200 in writing with at least a 3 on the composition part.)

The THEA Website is http://www.thea.nesinc.com

If you do not meet exemptions and do not pass THEA OR COMPASS, you will be enrolled in developmental courses until you pass all parts of the THEA OR COMPASS.

Test Date	Regular Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline (additional fee applies)
2011–2012
October 15, 2011	September 16, 2011	October 5, 2011