The SAT is a U.S.-based entrance exam used by many colleges and universities to make admissions & scholarship decisions.

Non-US school that may not normally require an SAT or ACT test score (Canadian, European colleges, etc.) may still require a score if you graduate from a school with an American curriculum (eg. BFA). Most BFA students find they need an SAT and/or ACT score in their application process.

Typically, a student will take the SAT during the spring of Year 11 (after taking the PSAT--see below for more information on the PSAT). Year 12 if a student has later deadlines or wishes to reattempt for a higher score. Students can take the SAT as many times as they would like.

Beginning January 2023, the SAT is going digital.

Khan Academy has a good SAT prep course that is free. It can also be synced with a student's PSAT scores, allowing for focused preparing. Guidance also has practice tests and materials available for interested students.

Speak with your student's Guidance Counselor for more info.

The ACT is also a U.S.-based entrance exam used by many colleges and universities to make admissions & scholarship decisions.

The SAT and the ACT are different tests with different structures administered by different organizations, but they fulfill the same purpose and both are accepted by most institutions (always check with the college/institution first to confirm).

Some students take the SAT, some the ACT, and some take both to see which they perform better on. Many online sources provide comparison information, including The Princeton Review.

Like the SAT, students take the ACT during Year 11, or Year 12 if a student has later deadlines or wishes to reattempt for a higher score. Students can take the ACT as many times as they would like.

BFA drives two ACT exams per year (once in the fall and once in the spring), so if your student plans to take the ACT, be sure to be in communication with Guidance to coordinate registration on the correct dates and to reserve a spot in a vehicle.

Speak with your student's Guidance Counselor for more info.

The TOEFL is an English proficiency test, especially for students applying to English-speaking university for whom any of the following hold true:

• English is not one's native language

• English is not the native language of one's passport country

• English is not the language one has grown up speaking

• A majority of one's education (or even just some of his/her high school education) has been in a language other than English

• One's college has it listed as an admissions requirement

Different universities allow for different proofs of English proficiency (some accept SAT/ACT English subscores), but the TOEFL is very widely accepted and should be considered.

BFA drives two TOEFL exams per year (once in the fall and once in the spring), so if your student needs a TOEFL exam, be sure to be in communication with Guidance to coordinate registration on the correct dates and to reserve a spot in a vehicle.

The TOEFL does offer an at-home test as well, but certain computer/technology requirements are needed, as well as stable internet, so if your student decides to do an at-home test, be sure to check these requirements first.

AP Exams are advanced subject tests, often taken in conjecture with AP courses. Passing exam scores are used for university admissions in Europe/Korea, and within the United States, they earn a student university credit for courses taken in high school.

Students enrolled in AP courses at BFA will hear from their teachers and the AP coordinator to register for the exam, but students who believe they are qualified to take an AP exam separate from a course at BFA can register as well; they just need to contact the AP coordinator to register.

Registration occurs throughout September and October.

All AP exams occur in the first two weeks of May, as scheduled by The College Board.

Talk with your student's Guidance Counselor if you have any questions on the AP program or exams.

The PSAT/NMSQT is a Practice SAT taken by all BFA juniors, and BFA sophomores also have the option to participate. It usually occurs the second Wednesday in October. The objective of the exam is for students to experience the structure and question style of the SAT in a low-stakes setting.

The exam results are very informative, giving students insight on how they are performing compared to peers as they anticipate taking the SAT (and ACT). This is one tool used to interpret your PSAT scores.

These PSAT scores can provide feedback for a student as they practically prepare for the SAT. Khan Academy has a free SAT prep course that can be synced with a student's PSAT scores, allowing for focused preparing.

US citizens who participate in the PSAT also qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Talk with your student's Guidance Counselor if you have any questions on the PSAT.