Resources for Students

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.

The school CEEB code for SAT, ACT, and AP Testing is 410902.

Please review Fair Test website for a comprehensive list of TEST OPTIONAL OR TEST FLEXIBLE schools.

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 Online Registration

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

And check out these South Carolina students who won a College Board Opportunity Scholarship:  SC CBOS Winners

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 Saint 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 Online Registration

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 and other helpful resources.

These three-hour examinations are based on a full-year, college-level course in high school. If enrolling in an AP course, students are expected to sit for the exam in May. Academically qualified sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to include AP courses in their schedules.

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 the Aquinas Program director, Julie Rzepinski . Please note that it can take up to six months for accommodations to be approved.

The College Essay Guy is a helpful resource for writing supplemental essays. The link lists out every single selective institution and how to approach their specific supplementals. Be sure to check it out! 

Supplemental Essay Guide

• College Board online test prep for PSAT and SAT
• ACT online tests prep
• Khan Academy is another free online resource for SAT Prep as well as practice in any school subject area.
• Princeton Review and Kaplan Test Prep both have free resources, as well as other online prep courses for a fee

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.

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:

1. Logging on to the Eligibility Center’s website
2. Scrolling down and selecting the “Create an Account” tab
3. 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 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.

The Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program for college students who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by SC public institutions or are at least 51 percent different in curricular content than programs offered in South Carolina. When there’s a match, everyone wins. Students save the cost of out-of-state tuition, colleges fill unusual degree programs with motivated students, and states may avoid the cost of creating specialized programs.

Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions and pay the institution’s in-state tuition rates for more than 2,200 undergraduate and graduate programs. The ACM is not competitive, or merit based, but applicants must meet state residency and college admission requirements. 

Participating states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia (Florida and Texas participate at the graduate level only).

The popular programs SC students matriculate in are:

BS in Aerospace-Professional Pilot (Middle Tennessee State)
BS in Audio Production (Middle Tennessee State)
BS in Digital Media (East Tennessee University)
BS in Integrated Strategic Communication (University of Kentucky)
BS in Aerospace Administration and Operations (Oklahoma State University Stillwater)
BS in Zoology (Oklahoma State Stillwater)
BS in Dental Hygiene (Georgia Highlands College, Augusta University, East Tennessee University, University of Maryland, West Liberty University, and Old Dominion University)

The ACM Program removes the burden of paying out-of-state tuition for parent/guardian(s) if the desire of the student is to attend college outside of SC. For more information click here