Your high school career is filled with standardized tests. Early in your junior year, you may take the PSAT. This test, which measures critical reading, math problem-solving and writing skills, is important for three reasons. First, it’s a good indicator and excellent preparation for the SAT test that you may take at the end of your junior year. Second, your score may qualify you for a select group of merit scholarships. Third, it’s one of the first chances you have to begin requesting information from colleges.
You will also be required to pass the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) in order to meet state requirements for graduation. You will also need to review with your counselor to ensure you have passed all of the required STAAR-EOC assessments for your graduation plan in order to meet state requirements for graduation.
Throughout your junior year, you should schedule the ACT and/or SAT -- the basic standardized tests that many colleges use as part of their admission criteria. Some of the more highly competitive colleges also require some of the five subject-specific SAT Subject exams -- so you may need to schedule the SAT Subject Tests, although you could wait until the very beginning of your senior year.
