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Tests

Hot Topic: Standardized Tests

While many colleges weight test scores heavily, others have taken steps to reduce their importance in admissions decisions. It's a reflection of the considerable debate standardized testing generates among educators.

Some doubt whether the tests reliably measure what they claim to. After all, the reasoning goes, how can answering a few hours worth of questions on a particular day indicate whether a student is indeed ready for the first year of college? The common response to this is that colleges need some sort of easily calculated standard because they must compare students who are coming from thousands of different schools where they took thousands of different courses.

Should you pay for test prep?

Adding to the controversy swirling around testing is this: preparing teens for tests has become a booming multimillion-dollar business. While many students show improvement after tutoring or coaching, others show just a tiny gain or none at all.

Ultimately, the best preparation combines familiarity with the tests (check for copies at a local library or in the More Info sections of this page) with solid academic preparation.

Taking your high school courses seriously, reading sophisticated material regularly (on virtually any subject), and developing your writing skills will give you the best chance of succeeding on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT.

As you enter your last years of high school, there are several standardized tests you need to become acquainted with if you're going to apply to college:

What are the New York State Regents Exams?

"The Regents" are the exams you must pass to graduate from high school in New York. The state is—and, for several years, has been—in the process of changing graduation requirements, including minimum passing scores for required exams. For this reason, it is extremely important that you check with your guidance counselor to make sure you know the latest Regents information.

Subjects Tested

Format/Timing/Scoring

All tests are scored from 0 to 100. Timing and format vary, depending on subject, but we've included details about 3 of the exams below. For more about them, and other Regents exams, check out the links in More Info.

  • Math A & Math B

    Each of these exams lasts for 3 hours. They are primarily multiple choice but some questions require that you show the work done to arrive at an answer.

  • English Language Arts (ELA)

    The English Language Arts test consists of two separate 3-hour sessions given over 2 days.  Both sessions contain a mix of multiple choice and essay questions.

Relevance to CUNY Applicants

These examinations are critical to students applying to CUNY not only because they form the standard for high school graduation, but also because the University uses them to determine college readiness.

The cut-off score is 75: score a 75 or more on the required Math Regents to be considered ready for college math (or courses with a math prerequisite); score a 75 or more on the ELA to be considered ready for all other non-remedial classes.*

*You can substitute a qualifying SAT, ACT, or CUNY ACT score to prove college readiness.

When to Take

There is no set schedule for when in your school career you take a particular Regents exam. Students usually take an exam after they've completed course work in the subject leading up to the test.

In general, most—not all—New York City public high school students take the Regents on this schedule:

  • 9th grade: Living Environment
  • 10th grade: Global Studies; Math A
  • 11th grade: American History; ELA (English Language Arts)

Please check with the guidance counselor at your high school to see when you can expect to take a particular test.

More Information

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What are the SAT and SAT Subjects Tests?

The SAT, officially known as the SAT Reasoning Test, is supposed to predict general college readiness. It has three main components: critical reading, math, and an essay exam.

The SAT Subjects Tests, on the other hand, are designed to measure your knowledge in particular subject areas like English, history, mathematics, science, and language. While the Subject Tests may be used to determine admission to a college, they might also be used to figure out placement once you've been admitted. Thus, your Subject Test score in French, for example, might be a factor in whether you're placed in French I or skip right to French II.

Most colleges in the U.S. accept SAT scores as part of the application process; some require them. Some require or recommend Subject Tests as well.

Format/Timing/Scoring

  • The SAT is primarily a multiple-choice exam, though the test now features an essay portion as well as a few math questions where no answer choices are provided. (Students solve the problems to come up with their own answers.)

    Altogether, it takes 3 hours and 45 minutes, 25 minutes of which are an unscored &experimental& section. Unfortunately, you can't just take a nap during the experimental section because they don't tell you which one it is!

    Section Length

    Reading (3 sections)
    Score range: 200-800

    70 minutes

    Writing (3 sections)
    Score range: 200-800

    60 minutes
    (includes 25 minutes for the essay)

    Math (3 sections)
    Score range: 200-800

    70 minutes

    Experimental (not scored)

    25 minutes

    NOTE: The order of the format is not fixed and can occur in any order.

  • SAT Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests. Like the SAT, they are scored from 200-800.

When to Take

Most students take the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year and/or at the beginning of their senior year. Taking a test early gives you time to re-take it if you feel you could do better.

You can take tests such as World History, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics as soon as possible after completing the course in the subject. You will probably do better on other tests like Languages after at least two years of study.

Relevance to CUNY Applicants

The SAT (or, alternatively, the ACT) is critical to students applying to CUNY.

You must submit SAT (or ACT) scores to the University if you are:

  • applying to CUNY for a bachelor's degree AND
  • in your last year of high school in the U.S. (or have graduated within the past year)

The University uses these scores to determine readiness for college-level work. The cut-off is 480: score a 480 or more in math to be considered ready for college math (or courses with a math prerequisite); score a 480 or more in critical reading to be considered ready for all other non-remedial classes.*

*You can substitute a qualifying Regents, ACT, or CUNY ACT score to prove readiness.

More Information

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What is the ACT?

The ACT is another widely accepted college entrance exam. It claims to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.

Most colleges in the U.S. accept ACT scores as part of the application process; some require them.

Skill Areas Tested

  • The main tests cover: English, mathematics, reading, and science.
  • The optional Writing Test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

Format/Timing/Scoring

  • The main ACT tests are all multiple choice. Each test is scored from 1 to 36. You also receive a composite score, which is the average of the 4 multiple-choice tests. Expect to spend just over 4 hours for the ACT without the Writing Test, including instructions and breaks. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes, broken down as follows:

    English: 45 minutes
    Math: 60 minutes
    Reading: 35 minutes
    Science: 35 minutes

  • If you opt for the ACT Writing Test, add 30 minutes. You'll write one essay, which is scored from 1 to 36.

When to Take

Most students take the ACT toward the end of their junior year and/or at the beginning of their senior year. Taking a test early gives you time to re-take it if you feel you could do better.

Relevance to CUNY Applicants

The ACT (or, alternatively, the SAT) is critical to students applying to CUNY.

You must submit ACT (or SAT) scores to the University if you are:

  • applying to CUNY for a bachelor's degree AND
  • in your last year of high school in the U.S. (or have graduated within the past year)

The University uses these scores to determine readiness for college-level work. The cut-off is 20: score a 20 or more in math to be considered ready for college math (or courses with a math prerequisite); score a 20 or more on both the English and reading components to be considered ready for all other non-remedial classes.*

*You can substitute a qualifying SAT, ACT, or CUNY ACT score to prove readiness.

More Information

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What are the CUNY Skills Assessment Tests?

The City University of New York has its own set of tests to evaluate whether students are ready for college-level work. These tests are collectively known as the CUNY ACT exam and are sometimes referred to as the Freshman Skills Assessment Test.

When to Take

If you've been admitted to CUNY straight out of high school, the University will notify you if you are required to take any part of the CUNY ACT. The tests are given regularly on all CUNY campuses.

Subjects Tested

Reading. The COMPASS Reading Test must be taken by applicants who have scored:

  • less than 75 on the ELA (English Language Arts) Regents

    OR
  • less than 480 on the critical reading section of the SAT

    OR
  • less than 20 on the English component of the ACT

    OR
  • less than 20 on the reading component of the ACT

Writing. The CUNY/ACT Writing Test must be taken byapplicants who have scored:

  • less than 75 on the Regents English Language Arts

    OR
  • less than 480 on the critical reading section of the SAT

    OR
  • less than 20 on the English component of the ACT

    OR
  • less than 20 on the reading component of the ACT

Mathematics. The COMPASS Mathematics Test is composed of four sections: numerical skills/pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry. It must be taken by applicants who have scored:

  • less than 75 on the Mathematics Regents

    OR
  • less than 480 on the math section of the SAT

    OR
  • less than 20 on the math component of the ACT

It is used to place students into appropriate math classes. In some situations it is also given as a placement test for non-remedial courses.

Format/Timing/Scoring

Reading: an un-timed, multiple-choice, computer-based test with scores ranging from 0-12

Writing: a 60-minute essay test with scores ranging from 0-12

Math: un-timed, multiple-choice, computer-based test with scores ranging from 0-99

More Information

Visit the CUNY ACT site for everything you ever wanted to know about the CUNY ACT.

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