Homeschool High School
Testing Tips

Check out the homeschool high school testing schedule before your student begins 10th grade. Find out which tests to take and when to schedule them.

The Tests

In addition to making good grades in high school, your college-bound student should become familiar with the standardized tests required by the college(s) of her choice. The tests are:

ACT - American College Testing Exam
SAT - Scholastic Aptitude Test

The ACT Assessment tests your child on the things she has learned in her high school classes, while the SAT measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills.

She may take one or the other, depending on what part of the country you live in (in Alabama, public schools use the ACT).

You may want her to take both tests. Students sometimes score better on one test than the other. Then, depending on the college, you can choose which one to submit.

Check with each college to see which test they prefer (or if they accept both ACT and SAT scores).

Take a quick look at the SAT schedule for the 2012-2013 school year so you and your homeschool high school student can plan accordingly.

SAT Test Dates
Test Date	Register By	Late Registration
Oct 06, 2012	Sep 07, 2012	Sep 21, 2012
Nov 03, 2012	Oct 04, 2012	Oct 19, 2012
Dec 01, 2012	Nov 01, 2012	Nov 16, 2012
Jan 26, 2013	Dec 28, 2012	Jan 11, 2013
Mar 09, 2013	Feb 08, 2013	Feb 22, 2013
May 04, 2013	Apr 05, 2013	Apr 19, 2013
Jun 01, 2013	May 02, 2013	May 17, 2013

For more information on SAT registration, practice tests, and test prep planning:

CollegeBoard

ProProfs

Check the ACT schedule, then click on the link for more information.

ACT Test Dates
Test Date	Register By	Late Fee Required
Sep 08, 2012	Aug 17, 2012	Aug 18-24, 2012
Oct 27, 2012	Sep 21, 2012	Sep 22-Oct 05, 2012
Dec 08, 2012	Nov 02, 2012	Nov 03-16, 2012
Feb 09, 2013	Jan 11, 2013	Jan 12-18, 2013
Apr 13, 2013	Mar 08, 2013	Mar 09-22, 2013
Jun 08, 2013	May 03, 2013	May 04-17, 2013

To register for the ACT, check test locations, and get access to free test questions:

Visit The ACT web site.

9th GRADE

Help your homeschool high school student prepare for the SAT and/or the ACT. Get familiar with the types of questions on the tests. Use test prep books, software, and web sites to learn important test-taking tips which could improve her score.

Take the ACT EXPLORE as practice for the ACT. Check the results to see her strengths and weaknesses.

Try the SAT or ACT. For some students the best way to prepare is by taking the actual tests. She doesn't have to send the score report to the colleges until she's ready.

Learn more about ACT and SAT preparation here.

10th GRADE

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) may be taken this fall, but she would need to take it again in the 11th grade to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.

Take the ACT PLAN test to continue preparation for the ACT. Compare the results with last year's EXPLORE test. Adjust your study plan accordingly.
OR take the SAT/ACT this year as a practice test. The scores will be sent to the colleges you list when you register. However, you don't have to send your scores to colleges at this time. Just leave that portion of the form blank. If later you find out that your score was quite high, you can pay an additional fee to send the scores to the school(s) of your choice.