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The SAT and ACT are a fact of life if you are hoping to play NCAA hockey. The majority of U.S. colleges and universities require the SAT for entrance, but more and more are beginning to use the ACT as an alternative. These standardized tests are used to put students from different regions and different schools on a level playing field when applying to university. It is important to realize that good grades alone won't get you into university, and the same is true for just a good SAT/ACT score. In order to be eligible to participate in Division I hockey, you need solid school grades and a solid SAT/ACT score to get yourself approved by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse has a qualifier index scale that uses both your grade point average and your SAT/ACT score to judge your eligibility. So, if you haven't started studying, be sure to pick up an SAT/ACT prep book to get yourself familiar with the types of questions you'll be facing on test day.
More About the SAT
The SAT is by far the most widely used standardized test by universities in the U.S., so much so that many high schools specifically prepare their students for it. The test consists of two main parts including a math and verbal section. If you have taken the PSAT, you will be familiar with the format used on the SAT. Each section is scored out of 800 for a total test score of 1600. The scores required by different schools vary widely. Students generally approach the test with a favorite section in mind. However, with the proper preparation, a strong score can be achieved on both.
The sections of the SAT are split into the following sub-sections:
Math
Five-Choice - 35 questions
Quantitative Comparisons - 15 questions
Student-produced Response - 10 questions
Verbal
Sentence Completions - 19 questions
Analogies - 19 questions
Critical Reading - 40 questions
Other SAT Quick Facts
- Under NCAA Clearinghouse rules, you can combine your highest verbal and math scores from different test dates to meet your minimum required score.
- To send your SAT score directly to the NCAA Clearinghouse, mark code 9999 as one of the designated institutions to receive your scores.
- Wrong answers are penalized. For every wrong answer, you are penalized � of a point. For every correct answer you are awarded 1 point. The rule of thumb on answering is if you can eliminate one answer, you should guess. The potential gain at this point outweighs the penalty for an incorrect answer.
- Within the math section of the test, the grid-ins sub-section does not use multiple choice but rather written responses from students.
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SAT Test Dates
October 8, 2005
- Register by Sept. 7, 2005
November 5, 2005
- Register by Sept. 30, 2005
December 3, 2005
- Register by Oct. 28, 2005
January 28, 2006
- Register by Dec. 22, 2005
April 1, 2006
- Register by Feb. 24, 2006
May 6, 2006
- Register by Apr. 3, 2006
June 3, 2006
- Register by Apr. 28, 2006
Registration Info
Register Online
College Board
ReRegister by Phone
1-800-728-7267
(609) 771-7600
To register by mail, ask your academic advisor for the Registration Bulletin.
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More About the ACT
The ACT has grown in popularity over the last few years. A lot of this popularity stems from the fact that the test is based on high school curriculum. This fact has drawn many students to the test. The test has four sections including English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. Your score on each of these sections is based on a 36 point scale with your composite test score being the average of these four scores rounded to the nearest whole number. All questions on the test are multiple choice.
Other ACT Quick Facts
- Under NCAA Clearinghouse rules, you may combine sub-test scores from different exam dates to meet minimum requirements. However, the ACT will only send whole records for each test date to an institution. Therefore, if you are hoping to combine sub-test scores from different dates for your highest composite score, you must have each date's full record sent to the desired institution. It is also important to realize that the Clearinghouse now uses the sum of your four sub-test scores instead of your composite score on the qualifier index scale.
- To send your ACT score directly to the NCAA Clearinghouse, mark code 9999 as one of the designated institutions to receive your scores.
- Unlike the SAT, wrong answers on the ACT are not penalized. Therefore, even if you are unsure of an answer, you should guess. It won't hurt your score.
- Although the ACT test dates are the same in Canada and other countries outside the U.S., not all testing stations will test on each of these days. If you need to know the test dates nearest you, be sure to Ask the Vet.
- The U.S. national average on the ACT is 20.
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ACT Test Dates
September 24, 2005
- Register by Aug. 19, 2005
October 22, 2005
- Register by Sept. 16, 2005
December 10, 2005
- Register by Nov. 4, 2005
February 11, 2006
- Register by Jan. 6, 2006
April 8, 2006
- Register by Mar. 3, 2006
June 10, 2006
- Register by May. 5, 2006
Registration Info
Register Online
ACT Assessment
Register by Phone
1-800-525-6926
(319) 337-1270
To register by mail, ask your academic advisor for the Registration Packet.
Outside the U.S.
ACT Universal Testing
P.O. Box 4028
Iowa City, IA
52243-4028
(319) 337-1448
Email
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Whichever test you take, the SAT, the ACT, or both, it is important to prepare well. Plan ahead to have your test score to the Clearinghouse and your colleges of choice in time. And practice. Learn about the various question formats, do some review, and be sure to take a practice test or two. |
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