
Standardized Tests
There are several types of standardized tests that high school students might encounter, each serving different purposes, including college admissions, subject proficiency assessment, and more. See below for more information on the most common types:
PSAT
(Preliminary Scholastic
Assessment Test)
The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT and also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
SAT
(Scholastic Assessment Test)
The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It assesses a student's readiness for college and is meant to provide colleges with a common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
ACT
(American College Testing)
​Similar to the SAT, the ACT is another standardized test used for college admissions. It consists of sections testing English, math, reading, science, and an optional writing component.
AP Exams
(Advanced Placement Exams)
These exams are administered by the College Board and are typically taken by students who are enrolled in Advanced Placement courses. Scoring well on AP exams can earn students college credit and advanced placement in college courses.
IB Exams
(Internat. Baccalaureate Exam)
The International Baccalaureate program includes a series of exams that test students' knowledge and skills in various subjects. These exams are taken by students pursuing the IB diploma.
TOEFL
(Test of English as a Foreign Language)
This test measures the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers who wish to study in English-speaking countries.
Testing Resources
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College Board: Official source for SAT, AP, and PSAT/NMSQT resources.
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Website: https://www.collegeboard.org/
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ACT: Official source for ACT test preparation materials.
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Website: https://www.act.org/
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Khan Academy: Offers free SAT prep materials in partnership with College Board.
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Website: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
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PrepScholar: Provides online SAT and ACT prep resources.
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Website: https://www.prepscholar.com/
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UWorld: Offers practice questions and explanations for various tests.
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Website: https://www.uworld.com/
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Magoosh: Provides online test prep for exams like SAT, ACT, GRE, and more.
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Website: https://www.magoosh.com/
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The Princeton Review: Offers test prep resources, courses, and books.
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Website: https://www.princetonreview.com/
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Barron's Test Prep: Provides test prep books and online resources.
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Website: https://www.barronseduc.com/
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Chegg Prep: Offers free practice tests and study resources for various exams.
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Website: https://www.chegg.com/test-prep/
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Testive: Offers personalized online SAT and ACT prep.
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Website: https://www.testive.com/
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5 Steps to a 5: Provides AP test prep resources and books.
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Website: https://www.5stepsap.com/
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Varsity Tutors: Offers free practice tests, flashcards, and study resources.
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Website: https://www.varsitytutors.com/
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Official GED Testing Service: Resources for GED test preparation.
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Website: https://ged.com/
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ETS (Educational Testing Service): Offers resources for tests like TOEFL and GRE.
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Website: https://www.ets.org/
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Cambridge English: Provides resources for English language proficiency exams.
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Website: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/
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