PSAT/SAT/ACT
PSAT & SAT Testing at LWHS | Now Digital for both PSAT & SAT
On Friday, October 24th, LWHS will host the PSAT and SAT College Board exams. This day is called 'Fantastic Friday' and all high schools in LWSD participate. Below is information on what to expect, sign up and deadline information.
9th Grade Students/Families: On Fantastic Friday, all 9th grade students will have a three-hour late start. Stay tuned for the Bell Schedule.
10th Grade Students/Families: LWSD pays for all 10th grade students to participate so 10th graders are automatically signed up and expected (though not required) to attend. Visit the College Board website for more details (Digital version only - no paper version available)
11th Grade Students/Families: 11th grade students can choose to take the PSAT/NMSQT or arrive with the three-hour late start. LWSD does not pay for 11th grade students to take the PSAT so those students who wish to participate must pay an $18 fee here; students who complete payment will be registered. Visit the College Board website for more details (Digital version only - no paper version available).
Payment opens August 1, 2025, for 11th graders, and the deadline to pay for the PSAT is Friday, September 26th at midnight. The SAT is NOT available to 11th grade students.
12th Grade Students/Families: Seniors may elect to take the SAT or arrive with the three-hour late start. The cost to take the test is $60 and students can pay here; students who complete payment will be considered “registered”. Payment opens August 1, 2025, and the deadline to register for the SAT is Friday, September 26th at midnight. SAT Practice & Preparation
PLEASE NOTE: There are no exceptions to the payment deadline. Refunds will not be issued if your student cannot take the PSAT or SAT for any reason.
If your student qualifies for free and reduced lunch, the reduced or free cost will display when you make payment here.
REGARDING ACCOMMODATIONS: All accommodations need to be pre-authorized by College Board. If your student has a 504 Plan or an IEP, you need to apply to College Board for needed accommodations, please take care of this right away by connecting with Cathy McCreary via email at CmcCreary@LWSD.org. (Please note, deadlines for accommodation requests may have already passed.)
More information will be provided in the weeks leading up to Fantastic Friday.
If you have any questions about the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT, please feel free to contact Pauline Salois Gillespie, Testing Coordinator, psaloisgillespie@lwsd.org.
PSAT/NMSQT | Now Digital!
The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is a standardized test that provides Sophomores and Juniors with the opportunity to get ready for the official SAT. It also gives students a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.
The PSAT is a practice test only and is a low-stakes testing opportunity – the PSAT scores are not sent to colleges and are not a part of the college application process for any student. College entrance tests are a requisite part of nearly every 4-yr college, therefore, students considering college would benefit from participating in the PSAT.
The purpose of the PSAT is to familiarize students with the kinds of questions, style of directions, and physical environment of an SAT exam, and provides students with a projected SAT score range, personalized feedback, and a study plan. As an 11th grader, students who take the PSAT/NMSQT, are also automatically screened for the National Merit® Scholarship Program; an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.
For more information about the PSAT & How to Practice, you can visit the College Board website at: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt.
SAT | Now Digital!
The SAT is the Scholastic Aptitude Test. It is a standardized test used by some colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It measures a high school student’s readiness for college and provides colleges and universities with a common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/what-to-bring-do/what-to-bring
For more information about the SAT, you can visit the College board website at: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat.
SAT/ACT Practice Tests | Sponsored by the LWHS PTSA
What is the SAT/ACT Test?
The SAT and ACT are both entrance exams used by most college and universities to make admission decisions. The purpose is to measure a high school student's readiness for college. Typically, the higher the score, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.
Common Questions:
Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
SAT/ACT Useful Links
SAT & ACT Testing Is Now Optional at Many Colleges
Most Washington colleges are not requiring high school seniors to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT for fall admission. While COVID-19 has led to this increased flexibility, many colleges are making their test-optional policies permanent.
Some colleges require an alternative in place of test scores, such as a letter of recommendation, participation in dual credit courses, or success in certain high school classes. Requirements vary by campus but are generally similar by type:
- None of Washington’s public four-year colleges will require SAT or ACT scores for freshman admission, and most will remain test-optional in future years.
- Washington’s private, not-for-profit four-year colleges offer test-optional pathways, although a few require test scores for students who were home-schooled or received non-standard grades.
- Public two-year community and technical colleges are open access, so anyone with a high school diploma or GED can apply and attend. Test scores are not considered.
- List of Test Optional Schools
So, should students still take the SAT or ACT? There are private scholarships that take test scores into account. And while some test-optional colleges won’t look at test scores, others will consider them if submitted. In that case, not testing won’t hurt, but good scores could help. Always check with each college directly for the latest admissions information.