Standardized Testing Program
College Testing Overview

We currently administer the following national tests at The Arts Academy:

EXPLORE: (Preliminary PLAN) Freshman Year
PLAN: (Preliminary ACT) Sophomore Year
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test): Junior year

All of the above tests will be administered in mid-October on a date that is designated by the Educational Testing Service for the PSAT.  (Check the school calendar for the exact date.) There is no additional fee taking these tests. 

The ACT, SAT I and SAT II are each offered a number of times throughout the school year.  It is highly recommended that you take these tests in the spring of your junior year. If necessary, you may always retake a test during the fall of your senior year.  There are no limits to how often you can take the SAT and /or ACT tests.  However, most high school counselors feel that twice is usually enough.
 
The following tests are administered at designated testing centers in most communities. You will want to register to take the test at the nearest available testing center to your home. The Arts Academy is not an option. Specific locations are found in the registration booklets and online.  (It is important to make appropriate first and second choice selections.  Otherwise one may be assigned to you and it may be downstate!) Registration packets are available in the main office or can be completed via the Internet at:

SAT  www.collegeboard.com
ACT  www.act.org
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The bulletin board on the left, heading up the second floor stairwell, is where all testing information is posted. You can check there for test dates, websites, school code number, etc.

Although we do not require standardized testing for graduation, it is The Arts Academy’s position that all students should take both the SAT and the ACT no later than November of their senior year.  This position holds true whether or not you plan to enroll immediately in college.  It is in your best interest to have test scores recorded on your transcript. Test results remain valid for five years after the testing date.  Results can be evaluated by the College Counselor, in regard to your college plans, to determine the appropriateness of test results with your college choices.

Reporting Your Scores
Remember that your test scores are considered confidential information.  Therefore, as a senior it is your responsibility to:

• Fill-in our school code (CEEB #: 140-627) when registering for the test. This way, the Arts Academy will receive a copy of your test scores that they can then mail directly with your transcript.
• When registering for the test and/or on your testing admissions ticket you can request up to four schools to receive a copy of your scores for free. After the first four there is a small charge.
• If you did not include the Arts Academy school code, you will need to contact the American College Testing Program (ACT) or Collegeboard Testing Service (SAT) to forward your scores to the colleges of your choice. You will be charged each time you request your score be sent to a college.
• By signing a completed application for a college, you are authorizing that the Arts Academy may send your transcripts to that particular school.
• For any applications that must be completed online, you need to authorize in writing that the school registrar may send your transcript and testing scores (For each request contact the College Counselor for the form).

Note:  Neither the Registrar, nor the College Counselor can issue your scores to colleges without your written authorization on an authorization form. An authorization form is available from the College Counselor or under the forms section of this website.

Non-standard testing options
Both the SAT and the ACT allow some qualified students to take these tests under non-standard conditions.  These options include 50% extended time, 100% extended time or with special testing aids for physically challenged students (few Arts Academy students qualify for the third). Extended time is not easily granted. Becoming eligible requires a lengthy process of submitting recent medical documentation and a variety of other required materials to both the ACT board and the Collegeboard (SAT) for review. In order to apply for extended time, please call the College Counselor who will walk you through the process.

50% Extended Time Testing: Eligible students are allowed an additional 50% of the standard amount of time given for each portion of the test. For example, if the standard amount of time allowed is 20 minutes for a section of the test, then eligible students would receive an additional 10 to complete this section. These tests are administered at every test center on the regular testing dates. 

For more information please visit
                ACT www.act.org/aap/disab/policy.html
                SAT www.collegeboard.com/ssd