Orville H. Platt High School

Standardized Test Info

Testing Schedules

  • The PSAT is given to all 9th, 10th and 11th graders at Platt during the month of October.
  • The SAT is offered several times during the year, including at Maloney in November and at Platt in June. Other schools in the area offer it on those dates it is not given in Meriden Public Schools. Registration must be completed online at collegeboard.org. Up to two Fee Waivers are available for students eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch based on Federal Guidelines. The State of Connecticut uses the SAT as the assessment in Reading, Writing, and Math in Grade 11. All juniors are required to take the test in spring of that year, and the scores that they receive may be used for college application purposes.
  • The ACT is given in some nearby school districts in the fall and spring. Registration must be completed online at actstudent.org.

What is the PSAT?

The PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) measures the skills your student has developed over the course of his or her education. These include reading, writing & language, and math.

The PSAT/NMSQT allows students to:

  • Qualify for scholarships
  • Compare scores with other college-bound students in the country
  • Predict SAT scores, and provide them with practice tools, including Kahn Academy, to better prepare for the SAT
  • Get free information from colleges and scholarship programs through the Student Search Service
  • Use College Board resources to plan ahead for their future college and career

What is the SAT?

The SAT is a globally recognized college admissions test that lets you demonstrate to colleges what you know and how well you apply your knowledge in a college setting. It tests student knowledge in reading, writing and language, and math. All juniors now take the SAT as the state assessment, and are encouraged to take it again after that since most colleges and universities use the SATs to make admissions decisions.

Taking the SATs is your first step in finding the right college for you. But SAT scores are just one of many factors that colleges consider when making admissions decisions. High schools grades are also very important. In fact, the combination of high school grades and SAT scores is the best predictor of your academic success in college. 

What is the ACT?

The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT with writing includes the four subject area tests plus a 40 minute writing test. ACT results are accepted by four-year colleges and universities.