1) PSAT

     This is essentially the "Pre-SAT" though it's designed to give you an intro and feel of what the real SAT test is like, it's.  Your test scores are sent to the universities and in turn they will send their promotional material to you; AND in some cases offer a slight reward like an application fee waiver or even a little scholarship.  So it's definitely worth taking and being pretty serious about - it will open many doors; though you have more tests to take to get through those doors.
     The PSAT is offered ONLY ONCE either on October 15, 2008 or October 18, 2008; see your local high school administrators for further information.  The testing fee is only $13.

2) SAT I / SAT II Subjects Tests    

      I am sure most all of you have heard of the infamous SAT test, the name speaks volumes of its own.  The main factor of consideration here is time.  Give yourself some time to take the test at least twice.  There are some rumors that say universities do not like students who take the test 4 or more times; and there may be some truth to that.  However, you should plan on taking the test 2-3 times until you know you have gotten the highest or very close to the highest score you possibly can achieve.  Besides, you select which universities you send your scores to directly, and most universities just look at the highest individual sittings while few others look at the highest combined sitting.

     In addition to the SAT I test are the SAT Subject Tests ( also known as the SAT II tests).  These tests look at your understanding and expertise in specific areas and are formulated in Multiple-Choice questions as with the other tests.  Most universities, including the University of California, require that you take TWO of these tests.  These tests are usually taken near or at the end of the course for that subject when the material is still fresh in the student's memory.  The strategy here is to choose the test that you think you will do well in and one that is connected to the discipline you are applying under.  For example, someone applying to the school of engineering will likely take the Mathematics Level II and Physics subjects tests.  Also, some universities require that you take tests from certain prescribed categories - for instance, one from the math and sciences and another from english and the social sciences.

This is a list of the SAT II subject tests that are offered:
Math: Mathematics Level I, Mathematics Level II
Science: Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics
English: Literature
History: U.S. History, World History
Languages: Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Korean
(some of these language tests are done separately in a listening format)

This is a table of important dates to consider when planning out which dates you want to take your SAT 1 and SAT II Subject tests.  As previously mentioned, Juniors should consider taking the subject tests on the May or June test dates when they are approaching the completion of their coursework; especially for the science and history subject tests.  Sophomores are also encouraged to do the same so they can focus on different subject tests for courses they take during their junior year.

SAT/SAT II Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

2009-2010 Test Dates	Test (SAT/SAT II)	Regular Registration	Late Registration (fee applies)
October 10, 2009	Both	September 9, 2009	September 23, 2009
November 7, 2009	Both	October 1, 2009	October 15, 2009
December 5, 2009	Both	October 30, 2009	November 12, 2009
January 23, 2010	Both	December 15, 2009	December 30, 2010
March 13, 2010	SAT I only	February 4, 2010	February 18, 2010
May 1, 2010	Both	March 25, 2010	April 8, 2010
June 5, 2010	Both	April 29, 2010	May 13, 2010

Also, be very sure that you have scheduled your final test dates within the time parameter set by the universities that you are applying to.  For instance, if you are applying as a freshman for the Fall 2010 term to the University of California you must take the SAT I and SAT II (two subject tests) by either November or December 2009.

3) AP Tests (Advanced Placement)

     Finally, there are the advanced placement Tests, also popularly known as the "AP Tests".  Success in these scrutinous and challenging tests are the real pinnacles of academic success; they are what separate the "crème of the crop" from the rest of the college applicants.  Hence it is more the upper tier and private universities tests that are most interested in successful passing of these examinations.  At the same token, taking honors courses and/or AP courses looks very good on both the UC and CSU applications as well.   The AP tests are graded on a 1-5 scoring system with 3 being the minimum score as passing.  However some of the elite universities only account for scores of 4 or 5 on certain subjects.  And obviously, the more exams you pass the more impressive it looks on your college application - quite impressive.

     The other benefits of 'passing' an AP test is that you get college credit for the equivalent college courses of the exams you passed.  This is an obvious advantage because it saves you time and money in not having to retake those courses in college again, you have more time and room in your schedule to take different and more advanced courses, and in the long run you will get ahead of the routine college course track. 

     The AP tests are given in the month of May but do not allow that to leave your decision to take the tests to the last minute.  Actually your decision as to which tests you plan to take should take place a year ahead of time.  That is you will have to most likely sign up for those respective AP courses at you high school for your junior and senior years few months prior to the beginning of the school year.  Then when school starts in Fall you should be deciding which courses you want to spend the extra time in studying for an AP test and the courses which you think you could obtain high enough tests scores.  At that point we strongly recommend that you purchase exam prep material.  These guides will aides you in knowing all the material that will be covered as well as giving you many sample problems so that you have good insight as to what's on the test and its difficulty level.

Here is the exam schedule for the AP tests.  The fee for each exam this year is $86.  Though this may seem high, it is a great bargain in respect to how much you would pay in tuition for an equivalent college course.  Registration for these tests is done through your high school’s administration, so make sure you have coordinated everything on time.

2010 Exam Calendar - Week 1
	Morning - 8 a.m.	Afternoon - 12 p.m.
Monday, May 3	United States Government and Politics	Comparative Government and Politics French Language
Tuesday, May 4	Computer Science A Spanish Language	Statistics
Wednesday, May 5	Calculus AB Calculus BC	Chinese Language and Culture
Thursday, May 6	English Literature and Composition German Language	Japanese Language and Culture
Friday, May 7	United States History	European History Studio Art (portfolios due)

2010 Exam Calendar - Week 2
	Morning - 8 a.m.	Afternoon - 12 p.m.	Afternoon - 2 p.m
Monday, May 10	Biology Music Theory	Physics B Physics C: Mechanics	Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Tuesday, May 11	Chemistry Environmental Science	Psychology
Wednesday, May 12	English Language and Composition	Art History
Thursday, May 13	Macroeconomics World History	Microeconomics
Friday, May 14	Human Geography Spanish Literature	Latin: Vergil