School Counseling
- Corona del Sol
- Standardized Testing
Important Testing Announcement
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As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things for our students. One of the major changes is to college applications and the use of standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) in this process.
While our Arizona public universities have been “test-optional” (students could choose to submit scores but weren’t required to do so) for many years, most of their scholarship programs and Honors Colleges were not. This has changed for the Class of 2021 and SAT/ACT scores are no longer required for these programs either. Here are some useful links to school-specific information:
ASU Scholarship Estimator | test scores no longer required
ASU Barrett Honors College | ”test blind” - will not use scores even if submitted
NAU Scholarships | test scores never needed for Lumberjack; no longer needed for others.
NAU Honors College | GPA, essay and resume listed as requirements
U Arizona Scholarships | test scores removed from chart
U Arizona Honors College | test scores “not considered”
For students applying out-of-state, the overwhelming majority of college admission offices and scholarship organizations have also removed their testing requirement. Instead, higher education institutions are sending the following message: if you happen to already have a test score from Spring 2020 that you think is a good representation of your ability, send it. If not, or if you have been unable to test, please do not risk yours or anyone else’s health to take an exam for us.
As a result, students without test scores will not be penalized, disadvantaged or have additional requirements to complete their applications. The list of colleges in this category can be found here. Please contact the appropriate admissions office directly if you have questions.
Standardized Tests
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Our school and district offer a wide variety of standardized tests, many of which are organized and administered through the Corona del Sol Counseling Department. Tests range from the CogAT, which is used for gifted identification, to the SAT and ACT, the traditional senior-level college entrance exams. AIMS Science testing takes place during sophomore year. The PSAT is administered to all freshmen, sophomores and juniors in October, while the ACT will be administered to all juniors in the spring semester for the first time. The Accuplacer, and AP exams are also available to students for assessment, scholarship qualification, dual enrollment, and college credit purposes. If you know of a test but do not see it listed below, Corona may not offer it on our campus. You may still speak with your Counselor to seek further information.
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)Required: No
When: Fall of 8th grade, by appointment
Retakes: None
Purpose: Gifted identification
Contents: Verbal, Math, & Abstract
Registration: TUHSD Honors-Gifted Test Application
Fee: None
Scoring: Percentile
Preparation: None
Contact: TUHSD Testing ServicesScience AIMS HSWho: 9th Graders in Honors Biology,plus all 10th graders in Biology & Honors BiologyWhen: Spring of 9th or 10th grade
Registration: None
Fee: None
Scoring: Varied scales for each subtest
Contact: Michelle Kozimor mkozimor@tempeunion.org
ACT
When: 11th & 12th grade (Saturday mornings)Scheduled Dates
Retakes: If desired
Purpose: University admissions
Contents: English, Mathematics, Reading, & Science (Writing is optional)
Registration: Online at act.org
Fee: $50.50 ($67.00 for writing)
Scoring: Composite score of 1-36 Explain
Preparation: Available at act.org
Contact: Mr. Reese LeReche rleche@tempeunion.org
Accuplacer
Required: Only for several Rio Salado dual courses
When: Prior to some dual enrollment courses
Retakes: One is allowed
Purpose: Possible dual enrollment class prerequisite
Contents: English or Math (brief online tests)
Registration: Arranged by Corona faculty
Fee: None
Scoring: Varies
Preparation: Accuplacer Information
Contact: Ms. Fleming lfleming@tempeunion.orgor Ms. Schmidt dschmidt@tempeunion.orgPSAT/NMSQTRequired: All 9th, 10th and 11th gradersWhen: October - 3rd Wednesday
Purpose: Good SAT preparation; National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test for Juniors only
Contents: Reading, Writing Skills, & Math
Registration: Provided Free through the District
Preparation: collegeboard.com
Contact: Michelle Kozimor mkozimor@tempeunion.org
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
Required: No
When: First two weeks in May AP Calendar
Purpose: Advanced placement in college and/or college credit University Credit Policies
Contents: Subjects matching AP courses
Registration: Will be online. Payment deadline is Nov. 4th. Please pay in the bookstore.Fee: $94.00 per exam
Scoring: score of 1—5; 3 is considered passing
Preparation: On AP Website
Contact: Ms. Jaimie Schulz jschulz@tempeunion.org
SAT I & SAT II Subject Tests
When: 11th & 12th grade (Saturday mornings)Scheduled Dates
Retakes: If desired
Purpose: University admissions
Contents: SAT I includes Reading, Math, & Writing;
SAT II covers numerous specific subjects
Registration: Online at collegeboard.com
Fee: $49.50 for SAT I ($64.50 with essay)
Scoring: 200-800 pts per subtest; 400-1600 total SAT
Preparation: SAT Prep and/or SAT Subject Tests Prep
Contact: Mr. Reese LeReche rleche@tempeunion.org
CLEP Tests (NOT at Corona)
Required: No
When: By appointment at the test center
Retakes: Not within 6 months
Purpose: College credit for prior knowledge Subjects
Contents: 34 exams in various areas
Registration: At collegeboard.com
Fee: $85.00 per exam
Scoring: Score of 20-80; passing score varies by subject
Preparation: At collegeboard.com
Contact: collegeboard.comTest Preparation
Students may benefit from test preparation by following the links below or by utilizing test prep books that are available at most libraries and bookstores. Several test prep companies offer face-to-face classes for a fee. See your counselor for more information.Popular Standardized Test Preparation WebsitesNOTE: Corona del Sol faculty does not endorse any one test prep program over another.