Standardized Testing
PSAT
Juniors will take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 19. Students should bring several #2 pencils and a calculator. Gilman has already registered your son for the PSAT. It is important that juniors arrive on time and prepared. Free test prep is available through Khan Academy; you can also take a practice test here. PSAT scores are not reported to colleges, are not placed on the transcript, and have no bearing on the admission process. The PSAT serves as the qualifying test for the highly selective National Merit Scholarship program. Test-takers scoring in the top half of the highest 1% in the state are likely to be recognized by the National Merit program. Hard copies of the test results are sent to Gilman in December, and we will mail those reports to you. Results will also be available through your son's online College Board account.
How Many Tests?
Juniors should take at least two standardized tests - the SAT and/or the ACT - by the end of the 11th grade. Students should register themselves in advance of the deadline. Registration is done online at www.collegeboard.com, for the SAT, and at www.act.org, for the ACT. Most students will take an additional standardized test in the fall of their senior year. Colleges consider the highest scores posted, so there is no risk in sitting for another test. Dates, a testing timeline, and registration info are listed below.
Winter SAT Test Prep
Capital Educators will offer an SAT prep class at Gilman this fall; the schedule is online here. The course is scheduled so that it will conclude in time for the December and January SAT dates, the time we advise juniors to sit for their first standardized test. For more details and to register, please contact Capital Educators at (410) 532-9400. If your family receives financial aid from Gilman, Capital Educators will provide the same percentage discount to their fee. Inform the staff when you register, and we will coordinate the information with their office.
The SAT
We recommend that juniors choose December for their first SAT. If there is a conflict with the December date, January is also suitable. As juniors prepare to take their first SAT, we hope that they will direct their attention and energy to the tasks before them -- to the things that really do count in admissions and in life. Thus, juniors should seek out appropriate academic and personal challenges, work hard to achieve and learn, and invest themselves meaningfully in the community.
SAT Subject Tests and AP Exams
We recommend that SAT Subject Tests be taken, if they are taken at all, on the May or June date. The Subject Tests attempt to measure a student's accomplishment in particular subject matter. Students seeking admission to especially selective colleges should plan on taking three of these tests. As the time approaches we will advise students and families regarding the appropriate SAT Subject Tests. Form meeting announcements and future newsletters will provide more specific guidance as we near the spring. AP exams, given only in May, can play a similar role, though are not required in the admission process. As the time approaches we will convey detailed advice about the AP exams.
Standardized Testing Timeline
Junior Year:
- October 19: PSAT at Gilman
- December/January: Take your first SAT and/or ACT
- February - May: Take another SAT and/or ACT
- May: AP Tests
- June: Take SAT Subject Tests (if advised by your college counselor)
Senior Year:
- August - October: Take final SAT and/or ACT
Academic Record
Although standardized tests provide important data to the colleges for evaluating potential for college level work, they are just one component of an admissions application. The quality of a student's academic record (both grades and the rigor of the curriculum) continues to be, by far, the most important factor in the admission process. Colleges typically take particular note of the junior year performance, so we encourage you to put in your very best effort towards your schoolwork this year.
