It is important to begin a discussion of college admission tests by emphasizing that test scores are but one of the many pieces of information a student sends to a college.

Colleges consider grades and the rigor of the classes more important than test scores in making admission decisions and, in fact, some colleges do not require tests at all (see http://www.fairtest.org/ for a full list).  Nonetheless, students should endeavor to present themselves as strongly as they can and should take college entrance tests seriously.

Two different companies administer college admission tests:

• The College Board administers the PSAT, SAT Reasoning Test (SAT) and SAT Subject Tests. 
• The ACT administers the PLAN test and the ACT.

Most four-year colleges and universities require a student to submit scores from either the SAT or the ACT.  Most colleges have no preference for one test over the other.  There are a growing number of colleges that do not require college admission tests at all (http://www.fairtest.org/).  SAT Subject Tests may be required or recommended by a specific college. (see www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects.aspx for summary information).