Test Dates & Information

Students who want to apply to a 4-year college should take at least one of the nationally recognized standardized tests called the ACT or SAT.

Prospect High School is offering both the PSAT and SAT for students. Please see below for who is eligible as well as location for testing. The website will be updated as more information regarding registration becomes available.

PSAT/NMSQT

Taking the PSAT will give you an idea of how you will perform on the SAT or ACT. Plus, College Board provides a breakdown of a student's results so that you can better prepare for the SAT or ACT.

October 30, 2025 Testing

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
- Eligible: Grade 10 & 11 students
- This test is used for the National Merit Scholarship qualification for 11th grade students only
- Location: Prospect High School

April 2026 Testing

PSAT 10
- Eligible: Grade 10 (Prospect Students Only)
- This test is NOT used for the National Merit Scholarship qualification
- Location: Prospect High School

SAT Exam

The SAT is a standardized college admissions test measuring skills in reading, writing, and math, primarily taken by high school students to apply to colleges in the U.S. It is administered six times a year by the College Board, with the test now being a digital format. In addition to the six test dates from College Board, Prospect will be hosting exam dates on the days below.

October 30, 2025 Testing

SAT Exam
- Eligible: Grade 12 students
- Location: Prospect High School

April 2026 Testing

SAT Exam
- Eligible: Grade 11 students
- Location: Prospect High School

Deadlines

Test	Test Date	Location	Time	SSD Accommodations	Cost	Payment Deadline
PSAT/NMSQT: Grade 10 & 11	October 30, 2025	Prospect High School	Check in: 1:00pm Test Start Time: 1:30pm	September 8, 2025	$20	October 3, 2025
SAT: Grade 12	October 30, 2025	Prospect High School	Check in: 1:00pm Test Start Time: 1:30pm	September 8, 2025	$68	October 3, 2025
SAT: Grade 11	April 2026	Prospect High School	Check in: 8:30am Test Start Time: 9:00am	April 2026	$68	TBD
PSAT 10: All Grade 10 (Prospect students only)	April 2026	Prospect High School	Check in: 8:30am Test Start Time: 9:00am	April 2026	Free	Students will automatically be signed up for the exam

How to Register

Prospect students will register for all exams through our CUHSD Webstore. Please see below to register for each of the exams. Also below are instructions to support students and families on how to sign up for Webstore registration!

Frequently Asked Question

Can Home School or Private School students sign up for the exam?

Will you be offering other exams on any other dates?

If my student can't make these dates, will there be a make up exam?

How can I apply for accommodations for the PSAT and/or SAT?

Approval by the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is always required before students can take the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, SAT, or AP Exams with accommodations. For more information on how to request accommodations, please click here.

Your school counselor will submit your request to College board. Please be ready with the following documents:

Consent Form (English) or Consent Form (Spanish)
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan

If you are not a Prospect student and have been approved to take the exam in a different location, please click here to learn how to submit SSD accommodations on your own.

What are the key differences between the SAT and ACT?

FEATURE	SAT	ACT
Overall Scoring	Scored out of 1600	Scored out of 36
Reading Level	Higher average reading level (more difficult passages)	Lower average reading level
Reading Presence	More reading throughout the test, including in math and writing sections	Reading mainly in the reading section
Timing	Slightly less time pressure	More demanding timing (more questions in less time)
Science	No separate science section, but charts/graphs appear in other sections	Has a separate optional science section (mostly reading comprehension of charts/graphs)
Calculator Policy (Math)	Built-in Desmos graphing calculator; allowed for all questions	Calculator allowed, but physical only
Problem Variety	Frequent switching between types of problems (charts, graphs, passages in different sections)	More straightforward structure
Adaptive Elements	Adaptive: second module of each section adjusts based on performance	No adaptive testing—static format

Do colleges have a preference for the SAT or ACT?

What are some best practices to ace the SAT/ACT?

Take a Diagnostic Test
Try both exams under timed conditions; choose the one that fits your strengths.
Make a Study Plan
Prep 3–6 months ahead with short, consistent sessions; take full practice tests every few weeks.
Use Official Materials
SAT → Bluebook + Khan Academy.
ACT → Official ACT practice tests.
Master Strategies
- Pace yourself (ACT is faster).
- Never leave blanks—guess strategically.
- Focus on key skills: SAT (algebra, concise reading), ACT (speed reading, science graphs).
Simulate Real Testing
Practice full tests in one sitting to build stamina and focus.
Review Mistakes
Track errors (content, timing, carelessness) and adjust.
Prep for Test Day
Sleep well, eat light, pack essentials, and keep a calm mindset.

How should students decide which test to take?

While students ultimately focus on just one exam, but it’s important to consider both the SAT and ACT before committing. The best way to decide is through diagnostic testing.

A diagnostic test is a full-length practice exam taken under realistic conditions. A full length SAT can be accessed on The College Board website (on the Bluebook app) and on Khan Academy. A full length ACT can be accessed on the ACT website.

Prospect HS Students can also take FREE full length tests with our testing partner, Revolution Prep. Students will also find full length tests in SAT and ACT prep books at their local library.

What testing resources does Prospect High School offer?

PSAT/SAT Exams

Test Dates & Information

October 30, 2025 Testing

April 2026 Testing

October 30, 2025 Testing

April 2026 Testing