Idaho State Department of Education

What is the most important college admission factor?
Students who demonstrate early success in college and career preparation opportunities have an increased likelihood of entry to, and success in, education and career training after high school. Academic performance in high school has been the most important college admission decision factor for freshman admission for many schools. Please refer to the State of College Admission Report published by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) for more information.

What is a good score on the SAT?
Students are considered college- and career-ready when their SAT scores meet both the Math and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing benchmarks.

What are the SAT benchmarks?
Students with an SAT Math score that meets or exceeds the benchmark have a 75 percent chance of earning at least a C in first-semester, credit-bearing college courses in algebra, statistics, pre-calculus, or calculus. Students with an SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score that meets or exceeds the benchmark have a 75 percent chance of earning at least a C in first-semester, credit-bearing college courses in history, literature, social sciences, or writing classes.

How should students prepare for the SAT?
The best preparation for the SAT is long-term in nature. Students should be well read and they should challenge themselves by taking rigorous course work in high school. Students can also improve their skills by using the Official SAT Practice Tool at Khan Academy.

Why would a student choose to take the SAT with Essay?
Students can choose to take the SAT with the Essay because there are colleges and universities that require or recommend the essay for consideration into certain programs. Students should consult the College Board website to check the admissions requirements for the higher education institutions they are considering.

What is the difference between SAT and ACT?
Both are college entrance exams accepted at higher education institutions across the country. Idaho offers SAT to all public high school juniors at no cost to districts, schools, parents, and students.

What are the score ranges on SAT?
There are two sections on each exam (evidence-based reading and writing, and math) each section score range for the SAT is 200-800 or a total score range of 400-1600.

What is the difference between PSAT8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT?
While the two tests have similar structure and content, the PSAT 8/9 is designed specifically for 8th and 9th graders.

What is the difference between PSAT10 and PSAT/NMSQT?
See the College Board website for the actual difference.

What are the score ranges on PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT?
There are two sections on each exam (evidence-based reading and writing, and math). Each section on the PSAT 8/9 has a score range of 120-720 or a total score range of 240-1440. The section score range for the PSAT/NMSQT is 160-760 or a total score range of 320-1520.

What is AP?
The AP program is designed to provide students an opportunity to take a college level course while still in high school. With a qualifying score on the AP exam in May, students can potentially earn credit and/or placement at colleges and universities around the country.

What is the difference between AP and Dual Enrollment?
Both are opportunities to take college level courses while still in high school. AP however, has been established for 65 years as the gold standard in college preparatory courses. Over 95% of colleges and universities in the U.S. have an existing AP credit policy in place.

How does a student earn college credit in AP?
Use the AP Credit Policy Search to find higher education institutions that offer credit or placement for AP scores.

Are AP classes available online?
The online AP classes are now available on YouTube.