Resources for Students
General College Information
- PSAT/NMSQT
- ACT & SAT Test Dates 2021-2022
- SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
- ACT (American College Testing Program)
- AP (Advanced Placement)
- Guidelines for Students with Disabilities
- Test Prep
- NCAA Eligibility Center
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT/NMSQT is given to all sophomores and juniors in mid-October during the school day. The PSAT test is a shortened, practice version of the SAT and it provides a good opportunity for students to get comfortable with the format, pacing and questions of the SAT. In addition, many of the AP courses at SJCS require a minimum score on one of the PSAT sections as a prerequisite, which will affect both sophomores and juniors when they register for classes for the following year. The eleventh grade results serve as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), which is owned and operated by the National Merit Foundation and co-owned by The College Board. National Merit scholarships are determined using this score alone. Scoring very well could bring national recognition and qualify a student for one of 9,600 college scholarships. It is well worth taking this test seriously by spending time in preparation.
ACT & SAT Test Dates 2021-2022
The school CEEB code for SAT, ACT, and AP Testing is 410902.
Please note the following website for a comprehensive list of TEST OPTIONAL OR TEST FLEXIBLE schools for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle: www.fairtest.org/university/optional
ACT Test Dates 2021-2022
Test Date
July 17, 2021
September 11, 2021
October 23, 2021
December 11, 2021
February 12, 2022
April 2, 2022
June 11, 2022
July 16, 2022
Registration Deadline
June 18, 2021
August 6, 2021
September 17, 2021
November 5, 2021
January 7, 2022
February 25, 2022
May 6, 2022
June 17, 2022
(Late Fee Required)
June 25, 2021
August 20, 2021
October 1, 2021
November 19, 2021
January 21, 2022
March 11, 2022
May 20, 2022
June 24, 2022
SAT Test Dates 2021-2022
Test Date
August 28, 2021
October 2, 2021
November 6, 2021
December 4, 2021
March 12, 2022
May 7, 2022
June 4, 2021
Registration Deadline
July 31, 2020
August 26, 2020
September 4, 2020
October 7, 2020
November 5, 2020
February 12, 2021
April 8, 2021
(Late Fee Required)
August 11, 2020
September 15, 2020
September 22, 2020
October 27, 2020
November 24, 2020
March 2, 2021
April 27, 2021
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
This exam focuses on writing, critical reading, and mathematical reasoning ability. The critical reading emphasizes reading skills. Math contains enhanced college-preparatory math (Algebra II). It is recommended that students take the SAT Reasoning Exam for the first time in the spring of the junior year and again in October or November of the senior year. All testing (for college applications) should be finalized by the end of December senior year.
SAT Website for SC Students
This is a reminder SAT has a website for South Carolina students with information on the College Board Opportunity Scholarship, SAT Practice and SAT Registration information: https://pages.
And check out these South Carolina students who won a College Board Opportunity Scholarship: SC CBOS Winners
ACT (American College Testing Program)
The ACT is another standardized college entrance test given several times a year. The test consists of four 35 to 50 minute sections and measures achievement in four areas: English usage, mathematics usage, reading comprehension, and science reasoning, and is curriculum based. In February of 2005, ACT added a 30-minute “optional” writing assessment. Post-secondary schools will soon be making the decision whether the writing assessment will be required. Students at St. Joseph’s are advised to sit for this optional section and are asked to check the requirements of the colleges/universities they are considering before registering. All colleges accept the ACT. For a test comparison of the SAT and ACT see the concordance table.
ACT Website for SC Students
ACT developed a new website just for SC students customized to provide SC scholarship information along with access to a free test form, a webinar for SC students on Monday, August 30 at 7:00 pm and other helpful resources.
Check it Out: www.act.org/southcarolina
AP (Advanced Placement)
Guidelines for Students with Disabilities
Before students with disabilities can take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or Advanced Placement Exams with accommodations — such as extended time or the use of a computer — their request for accommodations must be approved by Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). To start this process, please contact Aquinas Program director Julie Rzepinski. Please note that it can take up to six months for accommodations to be approved.
Test Prep
- College Board online test prep for PSAT and SAT at sat.collegeboard.org/practice
- ACT online tests prep at www.actstudent.org/testprep/
- Khan Academy is another free online resource for SAT Prep as well as practice in any school subject area. Visit www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat
- SC Test Prep is a local Spartanburg company offering SAT and ACT preparation through six-week courses or individual tutoring. For more information, visit www.sctestprep.com or call 864-384-1021
- Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com/offer/free-practice-tests) and Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-practice) both have free resources, as well as other online prep courses for a fee
NCAA Eligibility Center
If you want to play NCAA sports at a Division I or II school, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Learn more about playing college sports, by going to ncaa.org.
2021-2022 College Bound Athlete Guide
College-bound student-athletes (intending to play Division I or II) need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if they plan on participating in college athletics. Early registration promotes positive planning and involvement, bypasses the last-minute rush, and helps college-bound student-athletes avoid issues that may delay their academic and amateur certifications. The registration process is easy and can be done by:
- Logging on to the Eligibility Center’s web site at www.eligibilitycenter.org
- Scrolling down and selecting the “Create an Account” tab
- Beginning the registration process.
Please remember to complete a Transcript Request Form at the end of your junior year so that we know to mail your transcripts to the NCAA. You will also need to have your official SAT and/or ACT test scores sent to the NCAA (either through College Board for the SAT or through ACT).
Division III or students who are undecided about which level they will play at, can now create a Profile Page rather than starting the Eligibility process. Students should go to the same link above and click on the Create a Profile Page tab (located next to the Create an Account tab).
Each college/university processes student athletes a little differently. It is very important that you work with the coaches/athletic departments at each college so that they can assist you with the admission process at their university. But, please remember that you will still need to apply to the college or university you are interested in attending. Some student-athletes think that because they are being recruited or because they have registered with the Eligibility Center, they do not need to apply for admission. Athletics eligibility and admission to a college or university are two separate processes and both need to be completed.
Students also should check to see which SJCS classes are approved by the NCAA by visiting: web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction?hsActionSubmit=searchHighSchool and entering SJCS school code 410902.
If you have any questions, please discuss them with your college counselor.
Please click on the NCAA Eligibility Guide below to find out more information.
Do you want to compete in college sports? Join the NCAA Eligibility Center on Sunday, May 1 at 5:00 pm EST for a webinar for college-bound student-athletes and families. Learn about the latest initial-eligibility news, requirements you must meet to play sports on campus, and the best resources for you as you pursue your dreams of studying and competing at an NCAA Division I or II school.
Click HERE To Register
Please CLICK HERE To Watch the January 11th Webinar
On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, more than 8,500 college-bound student-athletes from around the country joined the Eligibility Center's staff for a one-hour webinar. Staff discussed requirements student-athletes must know in order to be eligible to play Division I or II sports. A question-and-answer session was held at the end of the event, with Eligibility Center staff on hand to answer submitted questions. The recorded event was provided to all registrants last week and is a great resource to share with your student-athletes and their families.