Understanding Different Types of College Admissions Tests & Requirements

The ACT includes …

• An English section
• A math section
• A reading section
• A science section

2. Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)

Ah, the most iconic college test of all time. Seriously, this test has been practically immortalized in film and TV!

But as much as we’ve heard about the dreaded SAT, what is it all about?

The SAT, also known as the scholastic aptitude test or scholastic assessment test, is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by the College Board. The purpose? It tells colleges how ready high school students are for college life.

Plan to take this test in the spring of your junior year, after covering most of the test’s concepts in your high school coursework. You can retake the test once or twice before sending out your final scores in your senior year.

Scoring Range: 400-1600

Registration Fee: $60

• Additional fees may apply for late registration and changes

Wish there was a way to take the test without the pressure? There is! It’s the PSAT. This practice test is for high school sophomores and is a great way to get the test vibe — complete with timer and proctor — before the real thing.

What score should you shoot for? This depends on the kinds of colleges you want to attend. Look at each college’s qualifying SAT scores to get an idea of your ideal score. College Rover’s search tool can give you all of this information with the click of a button.

What topics are included on the SAT?

The SAT includes three sections that test your:

• Reading skills
• Language and writing skills
• Math skills (with a calculator-free section and another where you can use a calculator)

3. SAT Subject Tests

SAT Subject Tests used to be called SAT II and were designed to test your knowledge in specific subjects. You could take them on anything from English literature to world history to foreign languages.

But don’t get too attached …

Are SAT Subject Tests required?

Put simply, no.

In fact, SAT Subject Tests aren’t even offered anymore.

As of January 2021, the College Board announced that SAT Subject Tests would no longer be offered in the United States, effective immediately. They stopped offering these tests internationally shortly thereafter.

So this is one test you don’t have to worry about — phew!

4. Classic Learning Test (CLT)

The CLT is a college entrance exam that evaluates you in the areas of …

• English
• Grammar
• Mathematics

This test is somewhat of a newbie on the college admissions scene. It launched in 2015 as an alternative to the SAT and ACT. 

Scoring Range: 0-120

Registration Fee: $54

What’s the difference between the CLT and the ACT/SAT?

In general, there’s not a huge difference here. These standardized tests assess your fundamental skills in mathematics, reading and writing, and some other areas.

But you should know about some key differences:

• The CLT exam is shorter. The CLT lasts two hours, whereas the SAT and ACT take three hours and include more questions in each section. Pretty chill, right?
• Testing concepts are a little different on the CLT. For example, the CLT’s reading section pulls excerpts from classic literature — we’re talking Bronte and Dickens here. And the quantitative reasoning section includes many more logic-based questions than other tests. 
• You can take the CLT online. Don’t break out the comfy pajamas and bunny slippers just yet, though … This is a remotely proctored exam, meaning you still have someone virtually monitoring you throughout the exam. 
• You’ll get your scores faster. While other exams have you on the edge of your seat for weeks — sometimes even months! — your CLT scores are available within eight business days.

Now that we understand some key differences, let’s talk about the elephant in the room for a moment.

Do all colleges accept the CLT?

Unfortunately, no.

As much as people rave about the CLT (and for good reason), this is one of the major drawbacks.

This test is currently accepted by a little over 200 colleges. And most of these colleges are small, private, and religiously affiliated. 

This could be a great alternative for someone interested in one or more of these types of colleges — woot woot!

But if your dream college and safety schools are not on this list, the CLT isn’t gonna do you much good.

That said, many colleges have been test-optional since the pandemic. This means you may find more colleges willing to consider your CLT scores as proof of your academic proficiency. 

5. Advanced Placement (AP) tests

Throughout high school, you’ve probably heard of courses like AP Biology and AP Calculus. These courses prepare you for AP exams, standardized tests designed to assess your specific knowledge in that subject. 

And these tests have some real-world value.

Apart from admissions, AP scores are also a great boost once you begin college. Most colleges in the U.S. will give you college credit, advanced placement, or sometimes both for certain AP scores — a definite W in our book!!

Scoring Range: 1-5

Registration Fee: $97 per exam

6. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The TOEFL is a test for non-native English speakers. American colleges use this test to gauge your proficiency in North American English. College admissions aside, scholarship programs and licensing certification agencies also use this test to assess English fluency.

If you’re from another country where English is not the primary language, this test is mad important — after all, it could be your ticket to an American university.

Scoring Range: 0-120

Registration Fee: $100-$120, depending on the location

What entrance exams do American colleges require?

We know, looking at this alphabet soup of exams can be a little overwhelming.

So let’s break down exactly what you need to know.

• The ACT and SAT are the most popular assessments used by most colleges and universities. If you have your heart set on a big-name university, these are the tests you need to take. 
• The CLT is fairly new and is only accepted by around 200 American colleges. Check your college application requirements to see if this exam is listed.
• AP exams aren’t required by college admissions, but they can be a nice addition to your applications. Depending on the college you attend, your AP scores can also contribute to your college credits — score!
• The TOEFL test is for non-native English speakers who want to attend college in the United States.
• The GED exam tests your knowledge of language arts, math, science, and social studies. If, for whatever reason, you did not receive a high school diploma, you can take this exam and receive a certificate that many colleges will accept in place of a diploma.
• The GRE test is an exam used for entrance into graduate programs.

It’s also good to remember the benefits of these exams don’t stop with college admissions. Qualifying high scores can also make you eligible for certain merit-based scholarships — cha-ching!

Is test day getting you a lil’ queasy? Totes normal! Several things can help.

Test the waters with a few practice tests — college exam preparers publish these to help you get into tip-top testing shape.

Need more help? Why not sign up for one of the test preparation centers or a tutor in your area? These are pros — seriously, they are the LeBron James of test prep — who can give you all the best tips and tricks for scoring big on your exam!

Need help choosing the best school for you? Use College Rover

Don’t get too nervous about these tests — study, relax, and you’ll likely crush ‘em.

And remember, when it comes to everything college, we’ve got your back.

Get all the deets on your top colleges with College Rover’s college comparison tool. This tool will even tell you what test scores you’ll need for specific colleges and what colleges you’ll qualify for based on your scores — an absolute must when you’re applying for colleges.