Welcome to the Roncalli High School Guidance Department

Senior Parent Video

Parents and students who have not yet registered for their senior appointment please take a moment to watch this video.

Additional Tips and Notes regarding the SAT/ACT

1. Register early to secure a nearby test center (4+ weeks prior to the test).  Registration deadlines are postmark deadlines and last minute online registrations can be difficult, if not impossible.

2.  Many students will choose to take the SAT/ACT two (even three) times.  For this reason, we suggest that juniors take the test for the first time in Jan/Feb/March.  They can then retake it (if desired) April/May/June (and even Sept/Oct if necessary). 

3. Students want to test to their strength - consult with your counselor as to which test may “show” the student in a most favorable light.  RHS students have already taken the PLAN (pre-ACT) test as a freshman, and PSAT tests sophomore and junior year.  While there is often no definitive answer, these may be helpful, to some extent, as counselors offer input re: SAT vs. ACT for your child.

4. Not every student needs to retake the test.  Reasons to retest include:

• To strengthen academic profile (test scores) for college admission requirements
• If the first (or second) test score is not synchronous with the student’s academic record (coursework/grades)
• To attempt to increase the score in order to meet certain scholarship benchmarks and/or honors college requirements
• If test anxiety is an issue, retaking the test may help students familiarize themselves with the process of the test (plenty of rest Friday night, Saturday morning routine, test directions, etc).

5. On the test registration form, students may send their score reports to up to 4 colleges (or scholarships, NCAA, etc).  In any case, Roncalli will include SAT/ACT test scores on the transcript we send to colleges as part of the application process.

6. Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) – To receive special testing accommodations, students need to have confirming medical and educational evidence that they need special testing arrangements.  SAT/ACT determines whether or not a student is eligible to receive testing accommodations, and parents may check with Mrs. Musgrave (Special Needs Director) to determine whether your child may possibly be eligible.  Generally, student may qualify for accommodations if diagnosed with a learning disability, AD/HD, or a physical disability (i.e. vision, hearing impairment).

7. College admissions officers often “mix and match” SAT verbal and math scores from different test dates, typically consider the high composite score (SAT vs. ACT), but do not usually “mix and match” ACT subscores.

8. Finally, it’s important for adults and students to keep a healthy perspective in regard to SAT/Act testing.  While these tests are important, they are secondary to a student’s academic record (coursework/grades), and a student’s worth of course can never be measured by any score!