Post Secondary Entrance Exams

SAT 

The SAT is a reasoning test that is designed to measure the critical skills needed for academic success in college.  The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems.  The 4-hour SAT aptitude test is offered 7-times throughout the year and includes sections in Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing.  Each section is worth between 200 and 800 points.  The test has a potential of 2400 points with a mean score of 1500.

ACT 

The ACT assessment measures skills in English, Math, Reading and Science reasoning.  There is also an optional writing test.  The ACT is curriculum-based.  Questions come directly from the high school curriculum and assess a student’s ability to handle college courses.  The ACT is offered 6-times throughout the year.  Each section of the test has a possible 1-36 points and an overall composite score.  The composite score is the average of the four sections.

CPT 

College Placement Tests may come in a variety of test formats.  Some colleges, mostly junior and 2-year programs, will allow a student to take a CPT in place of the traditional College Entrance Exam (SAT or ACT).   Some institutions will utilize a locally generated test while others will use a placement test product created by other testing organizations (The College Board:  ACCUPLACER/ACT: COMPASS and ASSET).

ACCUPLACER 

ACCUPLACER is a suite of computer-adaptive placement tests that assess Reading, Writing, and Math skills.  The questions are chosen based on the answer to the previous question. This method tailors every question to the test takers ability level.  The results of the assessment are used by academic advisors and counselors to determine course selection.  Other college admission factors are also included for selection.  

ASSET 

The ASSET is a paper-and-pencil formatted test that is used by some community and technical colleges as a placement test for entrance into postsecondary courses.  The ASSSET includes basic skills in Writing, Numerical and Reading skills as well as advanced skills in Mathematics.  The advanced skills include, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra and Geometry. 

COMPASS 

The COMPASS is a computerized-adaptive test that provides important information about individual skills and preparation for college-level courses.  It is not a pass/fail test and is untimed.  The test covers Reading, Writing and Mathematics.   The results of the assessment along with other admissions factors are used by academic advisors and counselors to determine course selection.

ASVAB 

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is one of the most widely used, multiple-aptitude tests in the world - developed and maintained by the Department of Defense.  The ASVAB test can help young adults identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations and develop effective strategies to realize career goals.  The Military uses students’ ASVAB scores to identify the occupations that best suit their abilities for placement within the armed services.

ACCUPLACER, PSAT, and SAT are registered trademarks of The College Board.  ACT Assessment, ASSET, and COMPASS are registered trademarks of ACT.