Prepare – Testing

The good news about college preparation – everyone is going through it, not just you. Advanced preparation is encouraged to ensure a smooth application process and to reduce unnecessary stress. We want you to feel confident that you have put your best foot forward. This page contains great information for testing and registration deadlines, college prep classes and serves as an overall pre-college resource to make sure you end high school on a high note.

Standardized Testing

Testing Dates and Registration Deadlines

Please see the following links to access registration dates:
SAT Test Dates and Registration
SAT – Services for those with Disabilities
ACT Test Dates
ACT Account Set Up for Registration
ACT Services for those with disabilities

Additional fees apply if you register late or make changes to your test type, center or date after registering.

 

Reporting you test scores

When you apply to colleges they now typically allow you to self report your test scores. However, this is with the expectation that you will SEND OFFICIAL TEST SCORES through the testing center.

Official scores are required for any financial aid money to be given.

All SAT and ACT test scores are reported ONLY through the testing centers.  When registering for the SAT and/or the ACT you will have a place to type in the names of the colleges/universities where you want your test scores to be sent.  As soon as test scores are available, scores will automatically be sent to those institutions that you indicated.

If you did not indicate which college(s) to send your scores to then you can request them later for a fee.

If you do not know what colleges to put down on the test form, at least send your scores to your state school(s) of choice.

Test Preparation

There are a few ways to prepare for the SAT and/or ACT depending on your level of need and your budget.  From practicing on the internet for free to meeting in a small group setting, there is something for everyone.  Whatever you decide, do some form of preparation.  Here are some links for you to learn about your options.

SAT Practice Website
ACT Practice Website

Khan Academy SAT Test Prep Has videos to follow and has a full SAT test. FREE

Linda Edgar Tutoring is a local run business by an ASA Alumni parent and has been quite popular and effective for preparation for either the SAT or ACT.  It is  a small group atmosphere. $$

Princeton Review has both online and local test centers. $$$

How to Colleges Use my Scores?

What is a Super Score – When colleges compile your highest scores in each test section, regardless of test dates, into one “super score.”

List of Colleges and How they use the SAT – How do they use my scores?

List of Colleges and How They Use the ACT – How do they use my scores?

Prep for the PSAT – Resources

College Board

Go to Khan Academy and take a practice NEW SAT, which will assess the same skills as the PSAT. There you can watch a video to understand how to take the test and understand strategies. FREE

The PSAT

Practice

PSAT Prep Books 

How to understand your PSAT scores.   In January, PSAT scores will come out. Students will receive a copy of their scores in one of their classes and a teacher will go over how to understand them. Click on the link if you want to read a little more about scores.

Potential Scholarships from PSAT scores

National Merit Scholarship

National Hispanic Scholar

Colleges Offering Full or Partial Tuition scholarships for National Merit Finalists.

 College Match Maker list

Dual Enrollment

What is Dual Enrollment? 

Dual Enrollment at Phoenix College partners with Valley high schools to offer dual enrollment credit for academic and occupational classes. Dual enrollment courses are held on high school campuses and are taught by high school instructors who have met community college hiring qualifications. Through dual enrollment we strive to ease the transition from high school to college and to increase the number of college-bound high school in our community. – www.phoenixcollege.edu

Is Dual Enrollment right for me?

Dual enrollment credits do not transfer to every university. However, ASU, NAU, and UA receive dual enrollment credits and they transfer easily. It is important to find out the dual enrollment policies for your potential college, before you choose this path. It allows a student to go into college with college credit and saves time and money.

What Dual Enrollment credits are available at ASA?

ASA Offers the following classes as Dual Enrollment credits, partnering with Phoenix College (PC).

  • Quantitative Reasoning = MAT151
  • AP Statistics = MAT206
  • AP Calculus AB = MAT 220
  • Post AP Calculus II = MAT230
  • English 11/AP Eng Lang & Comp ENH110/ENH11*
  • English 12 = ENG101/ENG102*
  • American Government = POS110
  • AP US Government & Politics = POS110
  • Spanish 4 = SPA101/SPA102*
  • Honors Spanish 4 = SPA201/SPA202*
  • Class Piano II (Dr. Petterrson) MUP131/MUP132

*Equivalent to fall and spring courses at Phoenix College

Check out class details here

What are the steps to get dual enrollment credits?

Watch this video for an overview

*Applying for admissions is only done once, so if you have taken a course in the past from Maricopa county community colleges, then you can skip this step and go to placement or registration.

**English 12 requires an English placement test. All math classes require a College Algebra placement test. Students must get an 80% on placement tests to register for English and math dual enrollment.

2024 Spring Dual Enrollment Deadlines: Spring registration links are found in your Maricopa email.

Dual Enrollment Spring 2024 Deadlines:

  • January 26th – Maricopa Grant Priority Deadline
  • February 2nd – DE Maricopa Grant Final Deadline
  • February 16th – DE Application Deadline
  • February 23rd – DE Payment Deadline