COSTA MESA HIGH SCHOOL
National Testing Dates for 2012-2013
Costa Mesa High School Code: 050683
 

PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) *
(Recommended Grade 10 or 11)
Test Date
October 17, 2012 (at Costa Mesa) Free

SAT Test & SAT Subject Tests
(SAT Test recommended Grade 11 or 12)
(SAT Subject Tests recommended Grade 9, 10, 11 or 12)
Register on-line at www.collegeboard.com

Test Date                                  Registration Deadline      Late Deadline
October 6, 2012                September 7, 2012           September 21, 2012
November 3, 2012             October 4, 2012                October 19, 2012
December 1, 2012             November 1, 2012            November 16, 2012
January 26, 2013              December 28, 2012         January 11, 2013
March 9, 2013                   February 8, 2013              February 22, 2013
May 4, 2013                      April 5, 2013                       April 19, 2013
June 1, 2013                      May 2, 2013                        May 17, 2013

ACT
(Recommended Grade 11 or 12)
Register on-line at www.actstudent.org/start  
 

Test Date Registration      Deadline                        Late Deadline
September 8, 2012           August 17, 2012          August 24, 2012
October 27, 2012                September 21, 2012   October 5, 2012
December 8, 2012            November 2, 2012      November 16, 2012
February 9, 2013              January 11, 2013        January 18, 2013
April 13, 2013                       March 8, 2013              March 22, 2013
June 8, 2013                        May 3, 2013                   May 17, 2013

What To Do and When To Do It!

Don't panic. We can get you started with some suggested SAT and PSAT timelines.

More About the Tests

The SAT or the ACT is the test used by most colleges to help decide whether to admit students or not (along with GPA, transcript, recommendations, etc.). Not all schools require the SAT or ACT, but the great majority do.  The PSAT is mainly a practice test. It’s very similar to the SAT, but without the essay and some algebra. However, a high score on the PSAT is the only way to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship, and a good score can also qualify you for some scholarship money.  So don’t blow it off.

In a nutshell, the SAT is offered 7 times a year, lasts for 3 hours and 45 minutes, and has 3 sections (math, reading, writing).  It costs about $43 to take.

A good SAT score is whatever you need to be competitive in the eyes of your target schools. 

We recommend taking the PSAT in October of your junior year, as well as an SAT in the winter or spring. While some students take the PSAT sophomore year, you can decide to get a preview by attending one of our free practice tests instead….less stress and faster feedback! You’ll also have more time to take any SAT Subject Tests you may need (depending on where you want to apply, you may need one or more).

--Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com)

**SEE THE COSTA MESA HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING HANDBOOK (attached in the lockers on the left side of this page)FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING SAT AND ACT TESTING