Academics
Standardized Testing
SCA is the Official Test Center for the College Board®
As an Official Test Center for the College Board®, Springfield Commonwealth Academy serves thousands of students in the local area while providing SCA students with exclusive benefits.
Springfield Commonwealth Academy currently hosts the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), and the Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
*For students interested in taking the American College Testing (ACT) exam, students will have to register to take the test at different nearby locations. Advisors and Counselors can assist with registration as well as help students prepare for the test.
SCA Test Center Code #22156
To stay informed about SCA's test center's status and where to take the ACT exam:
At Springfield Commonwealth Academy, students can:
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​Take the PSAT
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Take the SAT up to 7 times each year
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Take AP exams in May on campus
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Register early for SAT or AP exams
AP
Advanced Placement Exam
Overview
AP ® tests are college-level exams on specific subjects. Advanced Placement classes, or AP classes, are college-level classes designed for top-achieving high school students. While students don’t have to take an AP exam at the end of the year, the only way to get college credit for the course work is to take the exam for the AP subjects studied.
Purpose
Frequency
Duration
Subjects
Score
Cost
Register
Successfully passing your AP course can help you earn college credit early. This, in turn, means you can bypass standard intro courses, as well as save on tuition. AP success also stands out to college admissions officers by showing you are a focused student, prepared to study and work hard.
1 time per year in May
2-3 hours.
38+ course subjects (ie. Biology, U.S History, Calculus, English Language and Composition, Research)
Scored on a scale of 1–5. Maximum score is 5.
$94 fee. Some schools may help with the cost. Financial aid is available.
Some exam subjects may be administered at your school, however; not all tests will be offered at every location. Visit the College Board site for more information on how to register for the AP Exams, and the test dates.
Sources: The Princeton Review and College Board
PSAT
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
Overview
The PSAT ® is a standardized test targeting 10th and 11th grade students. The PSAT acts as an SAT practice test and is similar in content, structure and scoring. The PSAT is also slightly easier and has fewer questions than the SAT.
Purpose
Frequency
Duration
Sections
Score
Cost
Register
Although the PSAT score is not a factor in admissions decisions like the SAT and ACT scores, a strong performance on the PSAT is still important. A high PSAT score can indicate future SAT performance and give students a confidence boost and familiarity with how the SAT experience will be when the day comes.
1 time per year in October
2 hours, 45 minutes
Math; Evidence-Based Reading; Writing. There is no Essay.
Scored on a scale of 160–760. Maximum score is 1520.
Fees are paid by schools.
Students have to register and take the PSAT at their own high schools, or nearby schools if is not offered at their schools. You do not choose when to take the test; Your high school determines the dates it will administer the PSAT tests. Visit the College Board site to look for a list of schools that will be administering the test in your area.
Sources: The Princeton Review and College Board
SAT
Scholastic Aptitude Test
Overview
The SAT ® test is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. Your SAT score is a key component of your college applications.
Purpose
Frequency
Duration
Sections
Score
Cost
Register
The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.
Administered in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. Most students take the SAT during the spring of junior year, or the fall of their senior year. It's important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college.
3 hours (plus 50 minutes if taking Essay)
Math; Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; Essay (optional). Some schools may require the Essay.
Scored on a scale of 200-800. Maximum score is 1600. If you take the essay, you will receive a separate score.
$55 fee
Register online on the College Board site website
Sources: The Princeton Review and College Board
American College Testing
ACT
Overview
The ACT ® is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc. Your ACT score is a key component of your college applications.
Purpose
Frequency
Duration
Sections
Score
Cost
Register
The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.
Administered in September, October, November, December, February, June, and July. Most students take the ACT during the spring of junior year, or the fall of their senior year. It's important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college.
2 hours, 55 minutes (plus 40 minutes if taking test with writing)
English; Math; Reading; Science; Writing (optional). Some schools may require the Writing section.
Scored on a scale of 1-36. Maximum score is 36. Your composite ACT score is the average of your 4 sections. If you complete the Writing section, you will receive a separate score.
$50.50 fee (no Writing section); $67.00 fee (with Writing section)
Register online on the ACT website
Sources: ACT, Inc., The Princeton Review and College Board
