Testing Requirements for the UCs
Test Score Submission Requirement and Deadline
Preparing for the SAT and ACT Plus Writing
The UCs accept both SAT and ACT Plus Writing scores. You can get an idea of how well you will do on these exams by taking the PSAT and PLAN in 10th grade. The UC campuses will only consider your top combined score from one test date (no "superscore") and they don't really care how many times you take the exams (although most private schools frown on excessive test taking, so plan accordingly). If you took both the SAT and ACT, the UCs use a conversion scale to compare the SAT and ACT scores and take the highest one. Even though the College Board has implemented Score Choice, the UCs are requesting students to send ALL of their test scores.
The UCs no longer require the SAT Subject Tests starting with the Fall 2012 application cycle. However, each UC campus has its own SAT Subject Test recommendations that you should consider following.
You will still be able to use SAT Subject Tests to clear a-g subjects; see the a-g subject requirements for details.
Test Score Submission Requirement and Deadline
For both SAT and ACT, you only need to send ONE official score report to ANY of the UC campuses to which you have applied. The scores are shared between the campuses and you do not need to send separate score report to each UC campus. The score report must reach the UC campus before the end of December.
If you are taking the December test, you should list a UC campus as a score recipient when you register for the test (your registration fee includes 4 reports) so the score will be sent with the December batch of scores. If you wait until your December score becomes available, you will probably need to request Rush Reporting (SAT) or Priority Reporting (ACT) for the score to get to the UC campus on time. Keep in mind that a low test score does not impact your chance of admission, but a missing test score will.
For the SAT, you can update the score recipient by logging into My Organizer. You have until nine days after test day to make the change. Source: Altering an SAT registration
For the ACT, you can update the score recipient by logging into your ACT Student Web Account. You have until noon, Central Time, on the Thursday immediately following your regularly scheduled Saturday test date to make the change. Source: Registering for the ACT FAQs
Preparing for the SAT and ACT Plus Writing
You should definitely prepare before you attempt the SAT or ACT Plus Writing. It's rare for students to do well without some form of preparation. To get started, I would recommend browsing through test prep books and choose a couple of books that you feel are a good fit with your learning style. If you didn't get a chance to take the PSAT and PLAN, definitely try the practice tests for SAT and ACT to get an idea of how well you can expect to perform on the two tests. I don't recommend paying money for a test prep course until you have tried both the SAT and ACT Plus Writing (practice test or the real thing). Students tend to do well on one test or the other, but rarely both. So before you empty your wallet to prepare for the SAT, make sure you try the ACT Plus Writing. Maybe you won't need to break the bank after all.
See this nifty comparison chart, generously provided by Catalyst Prep, that summarizes the major differences between the two tests.
Free and Low Cost Self-Preparation Resources
FREE! 2400 Expert, the nation's only SAT class taught by a perfect score instructor, is giving away the 2400 Expert Complete SAT Essay Manual to you for free! Just follow the instructions on the website to get your free manual.
FREE! INeedAPencil.com provides free online SAT preparation. The site provides 60 lessons, 2 practice tests, and a variety of support tools.
FREE! Kaplan, a leading provider of test prep services, is offering free SAT and ACT practice tests to you! Proctored tests are offered throughout the year in most areas. Online practice tests are also available. Simply enter your zip code in the "Attend a Free Event" box to see the available choices.
FREE! Number2.com provides free online SAT and ACT test prep courses.
FREE! SparkNotes offers free SAT and ACT practice tests and online prep books.
FREE! or Low Cost - See the College Board SAT Practice for sample practice questions, free full-length official SAT practice test, and information about The Official SAT Study Guide (check your library first) and The Official SAT Online Course.
FREE! or Low Cost - Check out ACT Test Prep for practice test questions, test tips, and information about The Real ACT Prep Guide with CD (check your library first) and the ACT Online Prep course.
Test Prep Courses
Catalyst Prep, a provider of high-caliber SAT and ACT prep programs in Greater Los Angeles Area and San Francisco Bay Area, is offering you a 10% discount for any in-home SAT, ACT, or PSAT prep. Please send me an email at if you are interested in receiving the discount. Looking for a bargain? For the budget conscious students and parents, Catalyst Prep offers an intense two-day bootcamp at an affordable price that provides students with confidence and momentum as they head into the SAT or ACT with all the key strategies fresh in their mind. The SAT or ACT Bootcamp is offered at over 70 locations in Northern and Southern California.
Kaplan, a leading provider of test prep services, is offering you a 5% discount on ANY test prep program! Please send me an email at if you are interested in receiving the discount.
Princeton Review, a leading provider of test prep services, is offering you a $100 discount on Private Tutoring, Small Group Instruction, or Ultimate Classroom! Please send me an email at if you are interested in receiving the discount.
This page was last updated on Thursday, December 29, 2011 07:17:23 AM PST
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