Posted September 22, 2025
On Wednesday, October 22, we will host a testing day for sophomore and juniors - no sign up is needed!
Our sophomores will all take the digital Pre-ACT to gain exposure to the ACT testing format, while our juniors will take the digital PSAT-NMSQ. This serves both as a practice SAT test and as a National Merit qualification test. On this day, seniors also can take the digital School Day SAT. Registration closes October 1.
In the spring, we will offer an optional School Day SAT for our juniors on March 10. We began offering the School Day exams when testing sites became more limited during the pandemic. We will also have an optional PSAT 10, that gives sophomores a chance to take the exam before the junior year PSAT-NMSQ. Registration for those exams will come out in December from Counseling.
We want to assure you of every Saint Francis educator’s commitment to your child’s intellectual, spiritual and social development. There are so many factors in our students’ lives that we value and seek to uplift. Standardized tests are imperfect measures, and colleges will continue to use them. As much as we can, we want to reduce anxiety and provide students with clarity and confidence going into these tests.
Standardized Testing FAQ
| Do students still need to take these exams? |
|---|
| The landscape of college admissions continues to evolve, and colleges have varied requirements for enrollment. While not all colleges require one of the standardized tests for entrance, many selective schools still do require exam scores to be sent. Test-optional universities also show a higher admittance rate for students who submit scores. Some schools are also indicating that they will return to requiring tests for admissions, while others remain committed to foregoing testing. We advise that students submit their test scores any time their score is higher than the average for the college that they are applying to. |
| How should I prepare for the practice exams? |
| Juniors sitting for the PSAT or Seniors about to take the SAT can prepare with free resources from the College Board website, which provides information, practice resources and Khan Academy support. Sophomores can prepare for the PreACT with free resources from ACT. If you have questions or need additional resources, our Saint Francis counselors are here to help. Please consult with our licensed counselors for accurate information about testing and college admissions and avoid unlicensed, third-party groups who may be looking to capitalize on anxiety around college admissions. |
| What do the freshman or seniors not signed up for the SAT do on these days? |
|
Freshman or seniors who did not sign up for the exam will have a day off for rest or study (or application work for seniors). After school practices and events will take place as usual. |
| Why don’t the freshman class take a Standardized test in October? |
| While preparation is important, it is still early in our 9th graders' transition to high school. Rather than introducing another expectation, we want them to stay focused on academic and social success by building good study habits and continuing to get involved in activities that help them create new friendships. |
| What is the difference between the ACT and SAT? |
| Saint Francis is impartial to one test over the other. They are both college admission entrance exams. We recommend that you try a formal sitting for the one that your student feels most comfortable with. There are some big changes to the ACT coming soon, as they will be aligning more with the Digital SAT allowing the science component to be optional. |
| Is there a cost associated with the fall PreACT or fall PSAT? |
| Saint Francis looks to ensure that every student has the opportunity to try both exams at no cost in the fall of their sophomore and junior years. Families then pay for the exams they choose to take thereafter. Some families will qualify for a reduced fee waiver. |
| Can a sophomore take the PSAT instead of the PreACT? |
| Sophomores will all take the Pre-ACT this fall. We will offer an optional spring PSAT 10 for families who would like to elect to try that exam before the PSAT-NMSQ in their junior year. That will be at the family’s expense. |
| Why do we use digital exams? |
| The SAT began digital testing last year and we were among the first to pilot their system, and we had a good experience. The PreACT is moving to digital this year, and we are working on implementation. Last year we also gave multiple digital AP exams, and this year to enhance test security, the College Board is going fully digital for most exams. |
How Can We Help?
If you have any questions about our October testing day, connect with us! We’re happy to help you navigate the testing landscape.
|
|
|