Entrance exams (the SAT and/or ACT) are required of first-time freshmen applicants (students entering college immediately following high school graduation), unless students are enrolling directly in a California community college. (The CCCs do not require the SAT or ACT for admission.) The exam(s) must be taken by November in the senior year for CSU admission consideration, and by December in the senior year for UC admission consideration. If students take the ACT and are applying to the UC, they must take the ACT Plus Writing. Some programs on some UC campuses recommend the SAT Subject Tests, and some highly selective universities require them (e.g. Princeton requires two SAT Subject Tests, in addition to the SAT or ACT plus Writing). Be aware that the registration deadline for the SAT and ACT is usually a full month prior to the exam date so you need to plan early. Fee waivers (see below) only apply to students registering on time during the "regular" registration period.

For test dates and to register for the SAT and/or the SAT Subject Tests, go to www.sat.collegeboard.com. Ideally, the SAT should be taken in the spring of junior year (March or May), and repeated in the fall of senior year (Oct or Nov). For test dates and to register for the ACT, go to www.actstudent.org. Ideally, the ACT should be taken in the spring of junior year (Feb, April or June), and repeated in the fall of senior year (Sept or Oct). Remember that UC applicants must take the ACT Plus Writing if they choose to submit ACT scores. SAT Subject Tests (for applicants to independent universities or UC programs requiring them) should be taken at the end of junior year in June. (Our "Timeline" pages include this information.)

Most students take the SAT and ACT one time each in the spring of junior year. Then students repeat the exam on which they perform better in the fall of senior year. Universities use the highest scores (sometimes from one sitting--as in the UC--sometimes from multiple sittings) for admission purposes, so there is value in taking both the SAT and ACT, and value in repeating at least one of them. The registration fees are waived for foster youth with the following restrictions:

SAT fee waivers (for up to 2 SAT registrations and 2 SAT Subject Test registrations-- for a maximum of 6 subject tests) are available to youth in foster care, and are granted by their school counselor. Be sure to plan ahead, as fee waivers apply only to regular (not late) registration. A fee waiver is used--or "spent"--once the registration form is sent. If a student subsequently does not take the exam on the date he/she registered with the fee waiver, that fee waiver cannot be deferred to a later test date. However, all eligible students are entitled to TWO FREE SAT registrations and TWO FREE SAT Subject Test registrations (for those students applying to colleges that require SAT Subject Tests).

ACT fee waivers (for up to 2 ACT registrations) are available to youth in foster care from their school counselor. If students are applying to the UC and many selective private universities, they must be sure to take the ACT with Writing. Be sure to plan ahead, as fee waivers apply only to regular (not late) registration. As stated above, a fee waiver is used or "spent" once the registration form is sent. If a student subsequently does not take the exam on the date he/she registered with the fee waiver, that fee waiver cannot be deferred to a later test date. However, all eligible students (including foster youth) are entitled to TWO FREE ACT registrations.

PSAT fee waivers are available to high school juniors in foster care, through their schools. High school juniors should take the PSAT in the fall, usually in October.  

Advanced Placement (AP) exam fee reductions are available to youth in foster care through the College Board and state and federal funding, depending on availability. Students should check with their school's AP coordinator. (In 2011, the fee per AP exam was reduced to $5 for eligible students.) Updates regarding state and federal funding for the 2012 AP exams will be posted on the College Board website (www.collegeboard.com) in Feb., 2012. AP exams are not offered at all high schools and are not required for college admission.

For FREE entrance exam (SAT and/or ACT) preparation, go to www.number2.com.

Quick links:

• for SAT, SAT Subject Tests and AP registration, test dates, score reports, and other information, go to www.collegeboard.com.
• for ACT registration, test dates, score reports, and other information, go to www.actstudent.org.