Undergraduate College Admissions Tests

Sign up and prepare for the test you need to be admitted at the school of your choice.

The ACT, SAT, and TOEFL (for non-native English speakers) are the major standardized college admissions tests taken in the United States today.

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1. ACT

   Purpose:

   • Required for admissions at four-year colleges or universities with the exception of open-enrollment institutions
   • Predicts first-year college academic performance

   What is tested:

   • English, math, reading, and science skills.
   • Planning and writing a short essay.

   Samples:

   • ACT Sample Test Questions

   For more information:

   • The ACT



2. Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

   Purpose:

   • Administered to sophomores and juniors in high school. Serves as practice for the SAT Reasoning Test
   • Allows to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11)

   What is tested:

   • Critical reading skills
   • Math problem-solving skills
   • Writing skills

   Samples:

   • Preparing and Practice Questions

   For more information:

   • About PSAT/NMSQT



3. SAT

   Purpose:

   • The SAT Test measures skills that students have developed over time and skills they need to be successful academically.
   • SAT Subject Tests are designed to measure students' knowledge and skills in particular subject areas.

   What is tested:

   • The SAT Test measures critical reading, writing, and math reasoning skills.
   • The SAT Subject Tests measures mastery of specific subjects: English, history, math, science, and language.

   Samples:

   • Practice Questions

   For more information:

   • About the SAT Test
   • About the SAT Subject Test



4. TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language

   Purpose:

   The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings. Most international students take the TOEFL test as a prerequisite for admission into colleges and universities in the United States. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs use TOEFL scores to determine eligibility of applicants whose native language is not English.

   Samples:

   • Practice Questions

   For more information:

   • About the TOEFL Test

Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible to receive accommodations (such as Braille tests, large print, and extended time) when taking admissions tests. To learn more about the accommodations available for each test mentioned above, visit: ACT (undergraduate), PSAT or SAT (undergraduate), or TOEFL (non-native English speakers).

Source: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota.