College Counseling

Standardized Testing Information

List of 3 items.

  • SAT and ACT

    We recommend that juniors take either the ACT Plus Writing in April or June OR the SAT with Essay in March or May. Colleges will accept the SAT or the ACT and do not prefer one over the other. LWHS college counselors can help you decide which test may be best suited to you. A handful of students take both tests junior year, in order to discover a better fit, though we recommend deciding that before taking official tests, as some colleges will see your entire testing record. LWHS hosts a mock test in January which is an excellent “no stakes” opportunity to try one of the exams.

    Regardless of what SAT or ACT date students choose, be sure to register early to have the best selection of testing locations. LWHS is not a test center, so students take the test elsewhere, except for some students who may need certain accommodations (see the Things To Consider box).

    Note: There will be several opportunities during senior year to retake the ACT (September, October, December) and the SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests (August, October, November, December). All of these dates will enable scores to arrive on time for regular application deadlines for private colleges, the UCs and most CSUs. The December (and occasionally the November, or even October) scores will not be available for early admission programs. It is the student’s responsibility to find out colleges’ standardized testing deadlines, as they do vary.

  • SAT Subject Tests

    We also suggest juniors take two or three SAT Subject Tests, usually in June, as students have just finished studying for finals. A handful of colleges require two SAT Subject Tests, and some even recommend submitting three; discuss testing options with LWHS’ college counselors.

    The University of California (UC) requires only the SAT or ACT for admission. We recommend that LWHS students take two SAT Subject Tests to be competitive for the more selective UC campuses. If the scores are strong (equal to SAT/ACT scores or better), we recommend including them in college applications. Because every student is evaluated based on their particular context, offering strong SAT Subject Test scores will give many students an advantage.

    Select Subject Tests in areas that are your strongest. To help students determine which subjects to take, talk with college counselors and review sample SAT Subject Test questions online. Please note that Language with Listening tests are offered only in November. For frosh and sophomores in advanced classes, taking an SAT Subject Test at the end of the year may be advisable. Read the Academic Guidebook regarding the alignment of LWHS curriculum with the various SAT Subject Tests.

  • Don't like standardized testing?

    If standardized test-taking is not a strong suit, students may be happy to know there are several schools that don't require any standardized tests!

Early Applications

Most Early Decision and Early Action  applications are due November 1 or November 15. Scores from the October SAT or ACT test date will usually be reported on time. Students are responsible for checking with individual colleges to see the latest test dates they will accept and how the scores should be sent. (Rush Reporting is not necessarily the fastest way for colleges to receive scores. Sometimes the best approach is to email them from the LWHS office once you receive your online score report.)

Sending Scores

As a junior, do not send scores to any colleges; students will send their scores during senior year. When students do, colleges will use their highest scores for the SAT, SAT Subjects, and/or the ACT.
 
Be sure to put the LWHS CEEB (or School) Code—052967— when students register for all tests, so the College Counseling Department will receive the scores.
 
Arrange to send SAT or ACT scores to all of the colleges selected when registering for your last senior test. Some colleges allow students to select which SAT scores to send (Score Choice), while others will require you to send all of your scores. Again, colleges will use a student's best scores. The ACT allows students to select which scores they want to send. Both tests allow students to send scores to four schools for free within a short timeframe after the exam date.

Downloads

Things to consider

List of 2 items.

  • Accommodations

    If students are using accommodations for the SAT or ACT, be aware that there are different steps they must take to register. Please consult with the Learning Strategies Center.

  • Fee waivers

    If students receive substantial Flex Tuition at LWHS, they may qualify for a fee waiver for the SAT and/or the ACT. Please see a college counselor to verify eligibility.

Test Prep Resources

AP Exams

For information about AP Exams, please see the AP resource board.
 
Please note, we do not proctor AP exams for students who are not enrolled at LWHS.



Lick-Wilmerding High School

755 Ocean Avenue | San Francisco, CA 94112 | 415.333.4021
A private school with public purpose, Lick-Wilmerding High School develops the head, heart, and hands of highly motivated students from all walks of life, inspiring them to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.