College Entrance Exams

ACT

The ACT is a national college admissions test that assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.  It is a curriculum- and standards-based test, not an aptitude or an IQ test.  Instead, the questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses in English, mathematics, reading and science.

All four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the ACT but different institutions place different emphasis on standardized tests such as the ACT, compared to other factors of evaluation, such as class rank, G.P.A., and extracurricular activities.

The ACT consists of:

  •     Multiple-choice tests covering four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.
  •     The optional 40-minute Writing Test consists of a writing prompt that describes an issue and presents three different perspectives on that issue. Students analyze these perspectives, develop their own perspective and explain the relationship between them.

The ACT Plus Writing is available on all national test dates.  The 40 minute ACT Writing Test complements the English Test. The combined information from both tests tells postsecondary institutions about students' understanding of the conventions of standard written English and their ability to produce a direct sample of writing.

Because postsecondary institutions have varying needs, ACT offers the writing test as an option so that students are not required to take a test they do not need to take, thus avoiding unnecessary expense, and institutions have the freedom to require the tests that best meet their information needs.

Colleges make their own decisions about whether to require the results from the ACT Writing Test for admissions and/or course placement purposes.  Therefore, students should decide whether to take the writing test based on the requirements of the institutions they are considering. Most colleges will accept scores from the Writing Test even if they do not require it.

Check directly with the institutions you are considering to find out their requirements, or ask your high school counselor which test option you should take.

Find more information online at The ACT Website

Check to see if your college of choice prefers the ACT or SAT and plan accordingly.

ACT Registration Codes

  High School Code

  •     Midland High School: 232585
  •     H. H. Dow High School: 232582

 

 

SAT Reasoning Test

The SAT Reasoning Test is a college entrance exam which measures the critical thinking skills needed for academic success in college. All Michigan colleges accept and use the SAT for admission decisions.

Please note that SAT tests whether taken on Saturdays or during school as part of the MME will still be digital exams delivered via the Bluebook app.  See The College Board’s SAT website for more information.

SAT Question Types

The SAT includes reading and writing, and math sections, with a specific number of questions related to each content. Refer to the SAT website for more information.

The SAT has two sections:

  •     Reading and Writing (64 minutes, 200-800 score scale; 54 questions)
  •     Math (70 minutes; 200-800 score scale; 44 questions or tasks)

Note: The SAT taken as part of the MME during the April 7-25, 2025 window also contains a mandatory essay section. The SAT taken on Saturday dates does not have the essay as an option.

Registration and Cost

Learn more about the SAT and SAT Subject Tests and register online. Online registration requires a credit card or PayPal account.  SAT requires students to upload a digital photo during online registration.

The fee for the SAT Reasoning Test is $68. There is no cost to students taking the SAT as part of the MME during the April 7-25, 2025 test window.

See the SAT Suite of Assessments website for SAT dates and deadlines.

Prepare for the Test

You can download free practice tests from the College Board. Download the Bluebook app to take four full-length Digital SAT practice exams; students see scores in MY SAT.

All students can access Khan Academy’s personalized SAT practice resources for free. You can set up free College Board account and Khan Academy account. You will have the ability to link these accounts.

Check to see if your college of choice prefers the ACT or SAT and plan accordingly.

SAT Registration Codes

High School Code

  •     Midland High School: 232585
  •     H. H. Dow High School: 232582