Standardized Testing for College Entrance

1 Social Studies ½ Performing or Visual Arts and Design Technology (may also be deferred to senior year) ½ Physical Education 11 ¼ Spiritual Explorations 11 ½ Religion (may also be deferred to senior year) Grade 11 Seminar

Seniors

Credits Course

1 Senior English: The Individual and Society, Senior English: Journeys Across Culture, or AP English Literature and Composition 1 Mathematics 1 Science 1 Modern Language 1 Social Studies ½ Performing or Visual Arts and Design Technology (if not completed in Junior year) ¼ Spiritual Explorations 12 ½ Physical Education 12 ½ Religion (if not completed in Junior year) Grade 12 Seminar

FRESHMAN YEAR (Grade 9) Check with college counselor Normally none recommended

SOPHOMORE YEAR (Grade 10) October: PSAT June: SAT Subject Tests as appropriate

JUNIOR YEAR (Grade 11) October: PSAT March/May: SAT June: SAT Subject Tests as appropriate TOEFL/IELTS – English language proficiency tests, as needed

SENIOR YEAR (Grade 12) August: SAT October: SAT November: SAT Subject Tests as appropriate December: SAT or SAT Subject Tests as necessary TOEFL/IELTS – English language proficiency tests, as needed

SAT and SAT Subject Tests: Many colleges and universities require students to take SAT/ACT Tests. A select few colleges and universities may recommend two or three SAT Subject Tests. While scores generally improve the second time, colleges and universities tend to question why students take the tests more than three times. Students should take both in the spring of the junior year and then retake them if necessary in October and November of the senior year.

Suggested Guidelines for Standardized Testing for College Entrance

Please note that the SAT Languages with Listening tests are offered only once per year, so it is appropriate to plan for these tests accordingly after consultation with the college counselor.

TOEFL/IELTS: One of these tests of English as a Foreign Language is required for students whose first language is not English and who have studied in the English language for fewer than five years.

PSAT: All 10th and 11th Graders take the test in October. PSAT scores are sent only to students and their parents and the school, not to colleges. The PSAT offers practice for the SAT, and the diagnostic comments provided with the score report allow students to learn from their incorrect answers. The junior year sitting of the PSAT is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for students who hold United States passports.

Grades 9 and 10: Students should not take the SAT before the junior year unless there is a specific recommendation from an HKIS counselor.

For further information, please contact a counselor.