PSAT / SAT / ACT
College Entrance Testing
Any student who is considering applying to a 4-year school should take the SAT and/or ACT. To sign up for the tests or learn more, go to:
SAT - sat.collegeboard.org
ACT - actstudent.org
SAT Prep Courses
Let’s Get Ready begins with the College Access Program, a FREE 9-week program. Let’s Get Ready stays with you after this core program, supporting your transition to college and helping you navigate college life through to graduation! Sign up now!
Our partner, Lentz & Lentz SAT Prep, is offering summer and fall courses in 2024. Click here for more information.
When should students take the SAT or ACT for the first time?
Students should take the tests (and prepare for them) in their junior year.
What if I can’t pay for the cost of the SAT or ACT?
Somerville High School provides fee waivers for the SAT and ACT for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Students can use two SAT fee waivers, two SAT Subject Test fee waivers, and two ACT fee waivers. See your counselor for a fee waiver or if you have questions.
How should I prepare for the SAT?
SHS provides two different test prep classes outside of school. The first is Let’s Get Ready, a free program provided by Tufts University. SHS also provides a Lentz & Lentz SAT Prep course to juniors at a significant discount. See your counselor for more information on these two options.
Finally, College Board has partnered with Khan Academy - a website that provides free educational support in a variety of subjects. Students can use Khan Academy to get a personalized, interactive study program for free!
PSAT Information
Each year, Somerville Public Schools provides the PSAT exam free of charge to students. The primary purpose of the PSAT is to practice taking the SAT, an exam that is part of the college application process. For more information about the PSAT, see the College Board website.
Complete this form by September 13th to register for the PSAT. All 11th graders are asked to complete this form by September 13th. 10th graders only need to complete it if they plan to take the test.
The primary date for the SHS Fall PSAT administration is Saturday October 26th at 8:30am. Students will be dismissed at or before 12:00pm.
If students are unable to take the exam on that Saturday, a backup weekday date will be offered on October 16th.
How to Understand Your PSAT Scores
Accommodations for the SAT and PSAT: If you or your student think you need accommodations for the SAT or PSAT, please contact your counselor for more information on how to make that request of the College Board.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
AP Exams are national, standardized exams that are designed by College Board to go with the AP Courses students are enrolled in. Normally, College Board charges families $99 for each AP exam a student takes, but Somerville Public Schools is helping to pay and reduce this cost. For the 2024-2025 school year, Somerville High School families will either pay $10 or $25 per exam, depending on their income. Taking the AP exam is an expectation of being enrolled in an AP class at Somerville High School.
To pay for your AP Exam(s), visit the City Hall Systems website, enter the student's LASID (111#) and any part of the student's name (first, last or both).