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Principia School

Standardized Testing

Standardized tests play a role in the college admissions process and in awarding merit-based scholarships. However, it is important to keep them in perspective. The rigor of courses taken and grades earned are the most important factors that colleges consider. To understand test requirements for the schools you are interested in, check the college website or find the college listing on MaiaLearning and click the admissions tab. An increasing number of schools are test-optional, test-flexible, or test-blind. You can view a list of these schools.

It’s important to understand the difference between test-optional, test-flexible, and test-blind—terms that will be used by colleges.

  • Test-Optional: You can apply to these colleges with or without test scores. Generally these schools will take a more holistic approach, valuing your grades, activities, and accomplishments more than test scores. 
  • Test-Flexible: These schools will ask for some form of testing, but it doesn’t have to be the SAT or ACT. AP exam scores or even the PSAT may be acceptable.
  • Test-Blind: At these schools, students are not required to submit any standardized test scores, and the scores won’t be considered as part of the application.

Our office recommends that all juniors take the SAT in November, December, or May—and the ACT in February or April. Often students do better on one test than the other and this gives students the opportunity to decide which test is best for them.

Description of Tests

PSAT

This is a practice test for students who will be taking the SAT. The PSAT is given during a school day in October for all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. The School Counseling Office registers students for this test, and there is no additional cost to families. PSAT scores are reported in a range from 20–80. To understand how you may do on the SAT, simply add a 0 to each section. The SAT is based on a 1600–point scale, with two sections: Math and Reading & Writing each scored between 200 and 800.

SAT

This test is approximately three hours and includes sections on Reading & Writing and Math, each scored on a scale of 200–800. The SAT can be taken more than once. See Sending Test Scores for further information.

ACT

The ACT is about three and a half hours and includes sections on English, Math, Reading, and Science, and has an optional essay. It is scored on a scale of 1–36 with the optional essay scored separately. Students are able to take the test online, allowing them to receive a composite score as early as two business days after the test date. Also, after taking the test once, students will be able to retake single sections in the subject areas they most want to improve.

Testing Dates and Registration Information

SAT testing dates and ACT testing dates can be found online and via a link on the Resources/School Resources section of MaiaLearning. Principia usually hosts the SAT in August, November, and May. The ACT is always given at an off-campus site. 

The following codes will be needed for registration. Principia’s test center code for SAT tests given at the school is 26–280. Principia’s school code (CEEB) is 263010; this is needed to assure that your scores are sent to us.

Both the SAT and ACT require a credit card for online registration. You’ll also need to upload a photo that will appear on your admission ticket and that you will need to present, along with a photo ID, when you enter the test site.

At the time of registration, students can choose four colleges to receive their test scores free of charge. You can still send four free score reports up to nine days after the test, but after that timeframe, there is a fee to send additional score reports. It’s important to consider whether it’s wise to send the four free test scores. If you want to see your scores before deciding if you want them sent to a college, do not choose the four free reports. For more information, see Sending Test Scores. 

Test Prep Resources

All students have access to Khan Academy, which has very good academic help as well as SAT test prep. In addition to being able to take an SAT practice test and get help with individual sections of the test, there are useful test-taking tips and strategies.

There is free ACT prep available that can adapt to each student’s skill level and send email reminders about what to study.

Non-online options in the St. Louis area include private tutoring and classes through Sylvan Learning Center and The Princeton Review. These programs can be costly, so be sure to look at the reviews and know what you are paying for. If you would like recommendations for outside tutors, please see your counselor.

Self-study through published textbooks available for purchase online and through your local bookstores is another option. College Board, Princeton Review, and Barron’s are all good names in test-prep books. It’s important to keep in mind that it takes discipline and self-motivation to be successful in this approach to test prep.

Test Day Tips

Listed below, mainly from Khan Academy, are general tips for the testing day.

The Night Before

  • Relax but avoid screen time. Don’t try to cram; read a book or hang out with a friend.
  • Have a healthy dinner.
  • Organize for the next day. Put your ID, admissions ticket, pencils, calculators, batteries and other items in a bag by the door. Think about dressing in layers as temperatures in testing centers vary widely.
  • Make sure you have a plan for getting to the test site and share it with anyone going with you.

Test Morning

  • Wake up early and have a healthy breakfast.
  • Get to the test site early.
  • Be confident. Your attitude and outlook are crucial to your test-day prep.

During the Test

  • Don’t leave anything blank. There is no penalty for guessing, so you should try to fill in every bubble.
  • If you feel you might have to guess, try to eliminate any obviously wrong choices before guessing.
  • Pace yourself. If you feel one question is taking too long, move on to the next one and go back if you have time.
  • Make sure your answers are in the right bubbles on the answer grid.
  • Use extra time wisely. If you finish a section ahead of schedule, re-read some questions to catch any possible mistakes.