Standardized Testing

Why do students take AP tests?

AP tests are a standardized measure of learning and a cumulative assessment of the course. At many colleges and universities a certain score can allow the student college credit or placement into a higher level course. 

How do I determine whether or not I should take an AP test?

There are many factors to be considered when deciding whether or not to take a particular AP tests and they differ depending on the grade level of the student. 

Seniors - We suggest that students research the AP score requirements for all the schools they have applied/been admitted to for each school independently decides which tests and scores they will allow. Does a school award credit for a certain AP course? If so what score is needed? Some schools will only allow students to submit a score from one AP English AP so much sure to look at that.

Once students have that information they need to look at the AP classes they are enrolled in and think about how much time they have to prepare for the tests. Consider time needed for studying for finals, how strong a student they are in that subject and the cost of the test. Students can select to take only certain tests and not take others. 

Juniors- If students have any colleges that they know you are going to apply to, visit the school website to find out which AP tests are accepted and what scores are needed to earn college credit. Students then need to consider how much time they have to study for the exam in addition to other academic responsibilities. Students will also want to factor in whether or not they are taking the SAT in May and how much time is needed to prepare for that as well. 

Sophomores- Students will need to consider how much time they have to prepare for the exam in addition to other academic responsibilities. 

What does Cardinal Gibbons recommend?

We do encourage students to take the AP exam for the AP courses they are enrolled in for students have already prepared for it through completing the course, it allows students a way to assess their learning in a class, and it may be applicable if a student chooses to transfer colleges for another institution may offer credit or placement options. However we want each student to make an educated decision that is appropriate for their future academic endeavors and for their family. 

What will colleges think if I do not take the AP exam?

Not taking the AP exam will not count again a student in the college admission process. Colleges will want to see any AP scores that a student has once they have matriculated in order to determine if credit has been earned or for placement. Scores are not used in making admission decisions. 

Who can I reach out to to obtain assistance in making this decision?

We encourage students to talk with their AP teacher(s) to find out from them how they feel the student would fare on the test as well as to determine the best way to prepare for the test. In addition we recommend that students reach out to their counselor to talk through the pros and cons of taking the AP test and to discuss how colleges assess AP test scores. 

When and how do I register to take an AP test?

Registration and payment will open September 1st and will close on November 1st. The cost for each test is $97 and is paid at the time of the registration via credit card. 

If you decide between November 2nd and March 1st that you would like to take an AP test(s) and have not registered the cost will be $137/test. No late test registrations allowed after March 1st. 

Can my student receive testing accommodations on an AP test?

AP tests are governed by the College Board. Only students officially approved for accommodations by the College Board will be granted accommodations on an AP test. This application process can take up to 8 weeks and the deadline to apply for accommodations for any AP test is December. For further information please go to our academic accommodations webpage. Please contact your student's counselor with any questions.

AP late registration and payment is now open until  March 1st at 12pm. If you would like to take an AP test(s) and have not registered the cost is $137/test.

No late test registrations allowed after March 1st. The College Board personalizes each ordered test. No registration can be transferred from student to student.

When to take the tests?
We recommend that students wait until junior year to take any official standardized tests.It is important to review the school year calendar in light of commitments to determine the best time of year and test dates to take tests. Juniors should plan to talk at least two standardized tests in junior year. There are several approaches that a student can take:

• Take the PSAT seriously in October and plan to take the December ACT. Once scores are back from both tests, we can compare the two to see which test seems strongest. The stronger test can be taken later in junior year. (Bonus: The December ACT offers the opportunity to purchase the test questions and answers to help with prep.)
• Students can take one official SAT and one official ACT and compare scores to see which is the better test and then retake the stronger test.
• Students can work with a tutor to take a practice SAT and ACT to see which test seems to be a better test and then plan to take two of the same test.

When to start test prep? 
We recommend that you pick test dates and then plan to begin test prep so that it ends just before the test date. This allows you to maximize the prep time and cost. 

What type of prep is best?
There are many resources offering a variety of opportunities including group classes, small group tutoring and individual preparation. If you are a good test taker and tend perform well on standardized tests and simply need a refresher on concepts and what to expect, then a large group or class prep may be best. If you tend to struggle with standardized tests or need to review specific concepts or test taking techniques, small group or individual tutoring may be most beneficial. Although smaller group and individual tutoring tend to be more expensive per hour, when it is geared to individual needs, the benefits seem to be greater for those students who need it. 

Do you have a list of recommended test prep options? 
Yes. We keep a list of some resources on our College Counseling Portal page. (You must login to view.) 

Does Gibbons offer test prep opportunities? 
We do not offer on-campus test prep. 

These are College Board tests. Application for accommodations can be made as early as middle of freshman year. Once accommodations are approved for College Board tests, they remain in place throughout high school.

For an overview of the process and required documentation to apply, please review the College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities information. This process can take up to eight weeks to render a decision on an accommodation request.

Applications for accommodations for College Board tests are completed through our College Counselors who serve as the SSD Coordinators

Applications for ACT accommodations are make at the time of test registration and are due by the test registration deadline.

For an overview of the process and required documentation, please review the ACT's Services for Examinees with Disabilities information.

This process can take up to three weeks to render a decision on an accommodation request.

For a student who meets the ACT eligibility criteria for accommodations, applications can be made as soon as registration is complete and is submitted through the accommodations ACT TAA Coordinators, our College Counselors.

We recommend that students take a minimum of two standardized tests in junior year. Additional tests should be taken, if needed. Students can take one SAT and one ACT or two of either test.

Usually the first SAT/ACT test date of senior year will be accepted for most college application deadlines. Subsequent tests may not meet an early application deadline. Contact your College Counselor to discuss specifics.

Colleges will accept SAT and ACT scores alike for college admissions. There is no preference give to one test over another for any school.

One suggested approach is for junior students to perform their best on the October PSAT and then take the ACT mid-year. These scores can be compared to determine if a student favors one test over the other. A student would then retake the one with the stronger test score to try to improve scores.

Many colleges superscore the SAT and some superscore the ACT. Superscore means they will take the highest subscore of any subsection of the same test no matter the test date. Taking a test more than once can help to raise scores, even if it is on one or two subsections.

Registration for the SAT is done through the College Board's website. Select a test center closest to your house; Gibbons is not a test center.

Registration for the ACT is done through the ACT's website. Select a test center closest to your house; Gibbons is not a test center.

Some colleges have determined that standardized tests are not the best measure of a student's abilities and, therefore, have given students options. A list of schools that are test-optional or test flexible can be found on The National Center for Fair and Open Testing website.

Test-optional colleges may allow a student to submit an application without standardized tests scores. Some schools may have other requirements that must be met or require additional application materials to take advantage of the test-optional policy. Each college will post specifics on their website.

Test-Flexible schools may allow students to choose the types of test scores that can be submitted as a part of the application. This may include scores from SAT Subject tests or AP tests in lieu of SAT or ACT scores. Some school may even allow a graded paper to be submitted in lieu of test scores.

Superscoring is the process by which colleges consider your highest section scores across all the dates you took the SAT.