On Thursday, Oct. 19, sophomores, if signed up, took the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) in the Hays High School cafeteria.

The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT, which is an entrance exam for some colleges and universities. It helps these schools determine how much students know since students’ Grade Point Averages (GPAs) can vary from different schools around the nation.

The SAT is a standardized test, just as the ACT (American College Testing) is. They both take multiple hours to complete, although the SAT is shorter than the ACT, and they both can be difficult if students are not prepared, which is why Hays High offers some programs to help students prepare for the tests and help them to get the best scores possible.

Another key difference between the SAT and ACT is the way they are graded. The SAT is graded from a 200-point to 800-point scale. The sum of the scores in each section of the test determines the final score, with the highest possible score being 1600.

Once students take the test, it takes a couple weeks to get their scores back, but once returned, they have the choice if they would like to get their scores sent to colleges.

Many colleges and universities around the nation accept either test for their scores. Hays High, however, does not offer the SAT test at the school, but they do offer the ACT, for which students prepare by taking the PACT their freshman year.

“I wasn’t super nervous to take the PSAT because I knew it was only a sort of practice test, but I hope I still did well so that the school can send it to colleges,” sophomore Elizabeth Cunningham said.

24jwemte@usd489.com