Lincoln High School
Standardized Tests
Registration Information for SAT and ACT
SAT: Go to SAT home on College Board web site to register.
ACT: Go to http://www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html to register.
If you are on free or reduced lunch, please check with your counselor because you may be eligible for fee waivers for the SAT, ACT and college applications.
Practice SAT and ACT Tests (Lincoln PTA fund-raiser)
Register here for the Practice SAT and ACT tests (updated September 2012) sponsored by the Lincoln PTA. These practice tests are full-length tests, professionally proctored, using College Board guidelines to create the most realistic testing environment possible. These are practice tests and don’t count toward your official college entrance requirements. Practice makes perfect so take as many as you want without penalty!
The Lincoln PTA offers this as a service to the Lincoln community and as a fundraiser for the school. The LHS PTA uses the proceeds to support academic programs at Lincoln.
The tests will be offered on the following dates in 2012-2013:
Friday, November 9, 2012– ACT
Saturday, January 12, 2013 – SAT
Friday, February 1, 2013 – ACT
Friday, April 12, 2013 – SAT
More detailed information will be sent via e-mail to the LHS Parents Listserv including the registration form. Be on the look for it!
For more information please call Diane Scott 503.957.3862 or email scottdianeb@yahoo.com
SAT/ACT Prep Classes & Tutors
Here's a useful list of SAT/ACT prep options (updated Oct 2011) assembled by a volunteer at Grant HS and includes free and pay options. They are not endorsed or sponsored by Lincoln HS. Keep in mind that:
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Scores from SAT or ACT tests are just one piece of your college application.
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To do your best on either test, it is a good idea to become familiar with the test format, take at least one
practice test beforehand, and review math concepts and vocabulary. -
While a class can provide structure and motivation, you may achieve similar test results through less
expensive options, especially if you are disciplined about preparing. -
Be skeptical of claims that your score will improve a certain number of points through a particular
program – many of these claims are based on pretests that are more difficult than the actual test.
Lincoln/Portland Public Schools Sponsored Tests
Just in case some JUNIORS missed the PSAT due to illness and want to know how to still qualify for national merit awards, see below from collegeboard.com:
If a Student Misses the PSAT/NMSQT Administration
A student who does not take the PSAT/NMSQT because of illness, an emergency, or other extenuating circumstance, but meets all other requirements for NMSC program participation, may still be able to enter the competitions. The student or a school official must write to NMSC as soon as possible after the PSAT/NMSQT administration to request information about procedures for entry to NMSC competitions by alternate testing. The earlier NMSC receives the written request, the greater the student's opportunities for meeting alternate entry requirements. To be considered, a request must be postmarked no later than March 1 following the PSAT/NMSQT administration that was missed. NMSC will provide alternate entry materials including an entry form that requires the signature of a school official.
Other than national merit scholarship qualification, the PSAT is mostly a practice exam. It also qualifies students for the National Hispanic Recognition Program, the National Scholarship Service for African American students & the Telluride Association, a scholarship for summer seminars for qualifying gifted juniors.
More Information about Standardized Tests
The ACT Assessment, or "A-C-T" as it is commonly called, is a national college admission examination that consists of tests in: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning. ACT results are accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and universities. You can register for the ACT online.
The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems—skills you learned in school that you'll need in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200—800, with two writing subscores for multiple-choice and the essay. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S..
For more online sample questions and preparation materials, visit the SAT Preparation Center.
SAT Question Types
The SAT includes a Critical Reading, Math, and Writing section, with a specific number of questions related to content.
The Unscored Section
In addition, there is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or equating section. This unscored section may be either a critical reading, math, or writing multiple-choice section. This unscored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try out new questions for future editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test.
Test Order
The 25-minute essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice writing section will always be the final section. The remaining six 25-minute sections can appear in any order, as can the two 20-minute sections. Test takers sitting next to each other in the same testing session may have test books with entirely different sections.
The SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge.
Students take the Subject Tests to demonstrate to colleges their mastery of specific subjects like English, history, mathematics, science, and language. The tests are independent of any particular textbook or method of instruction. The tests' content evolves to reflect current trends in high school curricula, but the types of questions change little from year to year.
Many colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Used in combination with other background information (your high school record, scores from other tests like the SAT Reasoning Test, teacher recommendations, etc.), they provide a dependable measure of your academic achievement and are a good predictor of future performance.
Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take. Register for the SAT online.
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a practice SAT test. It measures the critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills that you've been developing throughout your life. It does not measure things like creativity and motivation, and it doesn't recognize those special talents that may be important to colleges.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program was created in 1968. It is a demanding pre-university course of study that leads to examinations in six academic subject areas. Diploma candidates must select one subject from each of the six subject areas. At least three and not more than four are taken at higher level (HL), the others at standard level (SL). IB exams are administered in May. See the Lincoln IB web site for more details about how it works here. 