If you are a junior or senior in high school and are serious about playing college baseball, it’s time to study for and take the ACT or SAT. The ACT and SAT are college aptitude tests that help colleges and universities determine how prepared you are for the rigors of a college education. They are often a big part of the admissions process and each college or university will weigh the importance of these standardized test scores differently. ACT or SAT scores are required for most 4-year colleges (although recently more have started making them optional), but more importantly, they are required by the NCAA for eligibility purposes. Most college baseball coaches prefer recruits take the ACT or SAT during their junior year. This leaves plenty of time to re-study and re-take the exam if the first attempt does not go according to plan. Even if schools you are applying to don’t require standardized test scores for admission, you should plan on taking the test anyways for eligibility and academic scholarship purposes.
If you are a serious recruit, you should take the ACT/SAT very seriously. Think of studying for the test like preparing for a big game. It’s not always fun, but it has to be done. Not only will your scores dictate which colleges can recruit you, but if you do well, it can help make college more affordable by giving you access to academic scholarships and grants.
Taking the ACT/SAT requires preparation, paperwork, and also costs money. This article aims to give you basic information about the ACT and SAT, including ways you may be able to take the test for free. This is information that all recruits and parents will want to read and know. Check out our summaries below and be sure the visit the ACT and SAT websites for the most up-to-date information.
ACT
Price: The ACT test costs $60 (without writing component) or $85 (with writing component)
Included in Price: The price allows you to send scores from the test to 4 colleges or universities without additional charge, if the college’s code is provided at the time of registration. It costs an additional $16.00 each to send your scores to a 5th and 6th college.
Fee Waiver Program: The ACT runs it’s Fee Waiver program through each high school’s counseling department. If you are having trouble paying for the ACT or want to see if you qualify to take the test for free, you should schedule a meeting with your high school counselor as soon as possible. Students who qualify for the fee waiver may take the exam for free up to two times. In order to qualify, you must be enrolled in high school as an 11thor 12th grader, be a US Citizen or testing in the US, Puerto Rico, or US Territories, and meet one or more indicators of economic need as described on the ACT Fee Waiver Form.
Where can I register or find more information: The ACT Website and ACT Fees and Services.
What do I do if I have a documented learning disability that allows for test accommodations?
If you have a learning disability or what the NCAA calls an education-impacting disability (EID), use this link to see what you need to do in order to take the test with accommodations.
SAT
Price: The SAT test costs $55 for the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections. The total may change depending on any extras that you choose.
Included in Price: The price allows you to send scores from the test to 4 colleges or universities without additional charge, if the college’s code is provided at the time of registration. There will be a fee to send your scores to each additional college.
Fee Waiver Program: The SAT has a comprehensive fee waiver program that not only allows you to take the test for free two times, but also waives the fees for a number of other college related expenses, including allowing you to apply to 4 colleges for free. Extensive details on the SAT Fee Waiver program and eligibility are provided on the SAT website here.
Where can I register or find more information: The SAT Website and SAT Help Section
What do I do if I have a documented learning disability that allows for test accommodations?
If you have a learning disability or what the NCAA calls an education-impacting disability (EID), use this link to see what you need to do in order to take the test with accommodations.
For more regular tips, notifications, reminders and study tips, follow the SAT (@OfficialSAT) and ACT (@ACT) on Twitter.
