SAT/ACT UPDATE:
Parents and Scholars,
At this time, OUSD will not be hosting any SAT or ACT exams until further notice. We do not have a definite date for the next SAT or ACT exams. Please continue to check ECHS's website for updates.
SAT and ACT Testing Info
Please be aware that many colleges and universities have temporarily changed testing requirements for students who will be entering college in fall 2021 due to the impacts of COVID-19.
- All UC's and CSU's will be test-optional.
- Here's a list of schools that are test-optional, test-flexible, or have otherwise de-emphasized the use of standardized tests. Always check the requirements on the school's website to be sure!
Most four-year colleges/universities require students to submit scores from either the SAT Reasoning or the ACT. Both tests can be used in place of assessment tests for placement in math and English classes at a community college or a four-year college. Preparation and practice will help you do your best on these tests.
★ All UCs require either SAT with essay or ACT with writing.
★ CSUs do not require either test as long as you have over a 3.0 GPA, but it is still highly recommended. It may be required for impacted campuses or majors.
★ Some colleges or majors may also require SAT subject tests.
★ Private and out of state schools vary so make sure to check requirements!
★ Be sure to take the SAT/ACT at the earliest date possible - some colleges won’t accept scores after November of your senior year!
Which test should you take?
All US colleges and universities accept scores from either the SAT or ACT. They are viewed as equals, with no preference given to one test over the other, so deciding which you will take depends on which you think you will do better on. Here are some things to consider when deciding:
SAT vs ACT: Take a five minute quiz to help determine which test is right for you. View side-by-side comparisons of the test structure and content.
11 Key Differences: In-depth breakdown of the differences between the SAT and ACT.
SAT Test**Check website for most up-to-date information |
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Test Dates |
Registration Deadline |
Late Registration Deadline |
Deadline for Changes |
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August 29, 2020 |
July 31, 2020 |
August 11, 2020 (for mailed registrations) August 18, 2020 (for registrations made online or by phone) Note: The late registration fee has been waived for the August administration. |
August 18, 2020 |
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September 26, 2020 |
August 26, 2020 |
September 15, 2020 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
September 15, 2020 |
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October 3, 2020 |
September 4, 2020 |
September 15, 2020 (for mailed registrations) September 22, 2020 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
September 22, 2020 |
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November 7, 2020 |
October 7, 2020 |
October 20, 2020 (for mailed registrations) October 27, 2020 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
October 27, 2020 |
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December 5, 2020 |
November 5, 2020 |
November 17, 2020 (for mailed registrations) November 24, 2020 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
November 24, 2020 |
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March 13, 2021 *Subject tests not offered on this date |
February 12, 2021 |
February 23, 2021 (for mailed registrations) March 2, 2021 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
March 2, 2021 |
| May 8, 2021 | April 8, 2021 |
April 20, 2021 (for mailed registrations) April 27, 2021 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
April 27, 2021 |
| June 5, 2021 | May 6, 2021 |
May 18, 2021 (for mailed registrations) May 26, 2021 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
May 26, 2021 |
SAT Registration: $52.00
SAT with Essay: $68.00
Up to three subjects: add $26
Each additional subject: add $22 per test
Late registration fee: $30
Change date or location fee: $30
ACT Test**Check website for most up-to-date information |
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Test Dates |
Registration Deadline |
Late Registration |
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September 12, 2020 September 13, 2020 September 19, 2020 |
August 14, 2020 |
August 28, 2020 |
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October 10, 2020 October 17, 2020 October 24, 2020 October 25, 2020 |
September 17, 2020 |
September 25, 2020 |
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December 12, 2020 |
November 6, 2020 |
November 20, 2020 |
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February 6, 2021 |
January 8, 2021 |
January 15, 2021 |
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April 17, 2021 |
March 12, 2021 |
March 26, 2021 |
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June 12, 2021 |
May 7, 2021 |
May 21, 2021 |
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July 17, 2021 |
June 18, 2021 |
June 25, 2021 |
ACT Registration: $55.00
ACT with Writing: $70.00
Late registration fee: $35
Change date or location fee: $35
**If you demonstrate financial need you may qualify for a fee waiver, ask your counselor!
Preparing for the Test
The best way to prepare for the SAT or ACT is practice, practice, practice! Here are some FREE resources to help you study:
Khan Academy: Take full length SAT practice tests and receive thorough explanations of answers, get test tips and videos on how to solve problems.
- Now you can link your Khan Academy account with College Board and they will tailor the practice tests according to how you performed on your PSAT or previous SAT attempts.
- Khan Academy and College Board also came out with a new free app that asks you one question each day. This is a great way to squeeze studying into your busy schedule!
- How to download Daily Practice
Chegg.com: Take full length SAT or ACT tests, complete practice problems, watch video lessons and get testing strategies.
- SAT Test Prep: test-prep website free resources
- ACT Test Prep: test-prep website free resources
Princeton Review: Full practice tests are offered for free online.
- ACT Academy is a free online program that allows you to take full-length ACT practice tests, with interactive questions, video lessons, and educational games.
California Colleges Website is the official source for college & career planning in California. Go to California Colleges Website, click “College Planning”, then “Test Prep” to find Community Colleges Test Prep, SAT and ACT Test Prep and Vocabulary Test Prep.
The ECHS Wildcat Library offers print and online resources for test prep. View resources here or stop by the Wildcat Library.
The San Diego County Library offers a fantastic prep site for San Diego residents. You can download free online prep books, or take full-length practice tests.
- On the ECHS homepage, click the Academics tab, then Library. Choose Online Databases from the menu on the left and scroll down to the San Diego County Library section and click on the icon. Click on Careers & Education and then click on the Testing & Education Reference Center icon. Enter your San Diego County Library ID (If you don’t have one it’s free to sign up or you can check one out from the El Camino Library).
Sending Your Scores to Colleges
When you register for the SAT or ACT, you can have the scores sent to four schools free of charge. If you need to add schools at a later date, you will be charged an additional fee. Be strategic about your free scores! Here are some tips:
For California State Universities (CSU)
If you list one CSU campus as an SAT or ACT score recipient, your scores will automatically be sent to all campuses to which you've applied.
CSU's superscore. Superscoring is the process by which colleges consider your highest section scores across all the dates you took the SAT. Rather than confining your scores to one particular date, these schools will take your highest section scores, forming the highest possible composite score
For Universities of California (UC)
You can have your official scores from the SAT with Essay or ACT plus Writing sent to one UC campus, and all campuses you apply to will receive them.
UC's will focus on the highest total score in the College Board's Score Choice module, to ensure that all scores are sent to UC. They do not superscore.
