Many colleges don’t require you to take the ACT® or SAT® when you are a nontraditional student. They may ask for your score if you have it from when you took it in high school. Visit with the admissions office about their policy. In the event you need to take one of the exams, you should study. There are a number of study aids available.
SAT®
Purpose: Colleges use score for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
Subjects tested: Reading, writing and language, math and essay (optional)
Scoring: 400-1600
Important to know: Cannot use a calculator on some math questions.
ACT®
Purpose: Colleges use score for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
Subjects tested: English, math, reading, science reasoning and essay (optional)
Scoring: 1-36
Important to know: Calculator allowed for all math questions.
If you are returning for graduate school, most colleges require you to take the appropriate standardized test.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Purpose: Measures skills that are critical for success in a variety of graduate schools.
Subjects tested: Reading comprehension, relationships between words and concepts, math concepts, problem-solving and analytical writing.
Scoring: Verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections: 200-800; Analytical writing section: 0-6; Subject test: 200-800 per section.
Important to know: There are two versions of GRE depending on type of graduate program. Specific dates set to take exam.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Purpose: Measures skills critical for success in business school.
Subjects tested: Analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative section and verbal section.
Scoring: 200-800
Important to know: Specific dates set to take exam.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Purpose: Measures skills critical for success in law school.
Subjects tested: Analytical reasoning, logical reasoning and reading comprehension.
Scoring: 120-180
Important to know: Specific dates set to take exam.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Purpose: Measures skills critical for success in medical school.
Subjects tested: Verbal reasoning, physical sciences, biological sciences and writing sample.
Scoring: 472-528
Important to know: Specific dates set to take exam.
