Admissions Testing

The following exams will be given at Orono High School during the 2024-25 school year:

• Pre-ACT (all Sophomores) - February 25, 2025
• ACT (all Juniors) - February 25, 2025

MCAs

• MCA Reading (Sophomores) - Spring 2025
• MCA Math (Juniors) - Spring 2025
• MCA Science (in conjunction with Biology; primarily 10th grade) - Spring 2025

ACT

Most four-year colleges require and accept either the ACT or SAT college admissions test. There are some test optional colleges but it is our recommendation that college-bound students register and prepare for either the ACT or SAT during their junior year.  

Which tests should I take and when?

The winter of the junior year is a great time to take a baseline test of the ACT and possibly the SAT. It gives juniors the experience in taking the test(s). Most students do not send their test scores directly to colleges on their first try, but wait and see how they score on their "baseline" test prior to sending it to colleges.  Students may take the tests multiple times and in the case of the ACT and SAT, send their best score to colleges when they apply. In the case of schools that "super" score, students may want to send their test results where they got their personal best score in each category to colleges. Colleges use their personal best scores in each sub-category to combine them into a new "super composite score.

How many times should a student take a test?

In general, it is to the student's advantage to re-take the test that they did better on (SAT or ACT).  Colleges make admissions decisions based on the highest ACT composite score, or the highest SAT combined score of the Written Language, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics sections.  Many schools now take the best score in each category to use as a "super" score. 

In addition, seniors who are applying to schools that have published admissions criteria, usually public institutions, have a good idea of their chance for admission.  Many scholarships are also awarded with student SAT or ACT score being part of the criteria.  As a result, they can determine the necessity of re-taking the test.

2024-25 ACT Test Dates

• OHS CEEB Code for ACT: 241-410
• In-school ACT for all juniors - February, 25, 2025
• ACT Test Dates and Deadlines
• ACT Registration

SAT

Most four-year colleges require and accept either the ACT or SAT college admissions test.  There are some test optional colleges but it is our recommendation that college-bound students register and prepare for either the ACT or SAT during their junior year.  

Which tests should I take and when?

The winter of the junior year is a great time to take a baseline test of the ACT and possibly the SAT.  It gives juniors the experience in taking the test(s).  Most students do not send their test scores directly to colleges on their first try, but wait and see how they score on their "baseline" test prior to sending it to colleges.  Students may take the tests multiple times and in the case of the ACT and SAT, send their best score to colleges when they apply.  In the case of schools that "super" score, students may want to send their test results where they got their personal best score in each category to colleges. Colleges use their personal best scores in each sub-category to combine them into a new "super" composite score.

How many times should a student take a test?

In general, it is to the student's advantage to re-take the test that they did better on (SAT or ACT).  Colleges make admissions decisions based on the highest ACT composite score, or the highest SAT combined score of the Written Language, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics sections.  Many schools now take the best score in each category to use as a "super" score. 

In additions, seniors who are applying to schools that have published admissions criteria, usually public institutions, have a good idea of their chance for admission.  Many scholarships are always awarded with student SAT or ACT score as being part of the criteria.  As a result, they can determine the necessity of re-taking the test.

2024-25 SAT Testing Dates & Registration

• OHS CEEB Code for SAT: 241-410
• SAT Test Dates and Deadlines
• SAT Registration

Pre-ACT

Preparing for and registering for college admissions test is an important part of the college planning process.  

All 10th graders are give a practice ACT (Pre-ACT) to give them a benchmark score indication, areas to focus on to reach their desired score.  In addition to predicted results for the actual ACT, students receive career/future planning information based on their responses to an interest inventory.  

Pre-ACT includes four multiple choice tests: English, Math, Reading, and Science, and each section is timed.  Your skills in these subjects will make a big difference - in school and, eventually, in your career. 

When scores are available, sophomores meet with their School Counselor to review their results. 

2024-25 Pre-ACT Test Date:

• In-school Pre-ACT for all Sophomores: February 25, 2025

PSAT-NMSQT

2024-25 Test Date:

Orono High School will be offering the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to interested juniors during a testing window of October 9-11, 2024. Students who register will be assigned to a specific day and time within the testing window. 

Registration

About the PSAT

The PSAT/NMSQT is optional and assesses the same knowledge and skills as the SAT, providing a check-in on college readiness.  Students will receive two index scores: Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Mathematics.   The score report can be used to generate a personalized SAT study plan on Khan Academy®.  In addition, PSAT/NMSQT matches students to specific AP® courses they have the potential to do well in, providing an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school.  The PSAT/NMSQT is co-sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and serves as the entry point to over $300 million in scholarship dollars. 

Get Ready

This year, the PSAT will be administered digitally. The College Board offers a variety of practice opportunities so that students are comfortable with the test content and the testing application. Students can access these via the link below.

Preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT – SAT Suite | College Board

More detailed information about the Bluebook testing app will follow. Students can run the Bluebook on a personal Windows device, Macbook, or a school-managed Chromebook.  

Questions

Please contact Brandy Randall at brandy.randall@orono.k12.mn.us with questions about the PSAT or Kristin Palm at kristin.palm@orono.k12.mn.us with questions about registration. 

Testing with Accommodations

The College Board must approve accommodations for all College Board exams including SAT, PSAT, and AP.  Even if you receive formal accommodations via an IEP or 504 they are not allowed unless specifically approved by the College Board.  If the College Board has already granted accommodations for AP exams you will be covered for the PSAT.  However, if you have not yet been formally approved you need to contact your counselor ASAP so they can make a request on your behalf.  You can use the link below to learn more about accommodations on College Board exams.

Accommodations on College Board Exams | College Board

Test Dates and Practice Questions

• Mometrix Test Preparation

Test Prep Programs

• Orono Community Education
• Kaplan Test Preparation
• The Princeton Review

Print Resources

• Kaplan SAT, PSAT and/or ACT; Kaplan
• SAT: Verbal/Math and/or ACT Workbook; Kaplan Source Books
• Procrastinator's Guide to the SAT/PSAT and ACT; Kaplan
• Barron's How to Prepare For....series; Barron
• Cracking the SAT, SATII, ACT, AP Exams; Princeton Review
• Crash Course for the SAT and/or ACT; Princeton Review
• Panic Plan SAT and/or ACT; Thompson and Peterson

Software Resources

• Kaplan SATl, ACT, PSAT
• The Procrastinator's Guide to the ACT; Kaplan
• Master the SAT; Arco
• Cracking the SAT, PSAT, ACT; Princeton Review

Directly from the Test Companies

• 10 Real SAT's; College Board
• Real SAT II's College Board
• One on One with the SAT; College Board
• ACTive Prep (online & CD versions); ACT

• Get plenty of sleep the night before the test. 
• Follow directions exactly, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
• Mark your answer folder carefully.  Fill in the ovals neatly.
• Don't spend too much time on any single question.  For hard ones, choose the answer you think is best and move on. 
• There is no penalty for guessing.  Be sure to answer every question.

Many colleges, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, have announced test-optional admissions as a pathway to admissions. Applying test-optional gives the applicant the choice whether to submit their ACT or SAT test scores to be reviewed.  A complete list of test-optional schools can be found at www.fairtest.org.