ACT and SAT Testing Information

The ACT is one of the two most popular college admissions tests used in the U.S. The ACT is the test taken most frequently by students at Moody High School as it is accepted and/or preferred by all of the in-state colleges and universities. 

Students may take the ACT whenever they deem appropriate. Our general recommendation is that students take the test after they have completed at least Algebra I and Geometry in their math course sequence. 

The Alabama State Department of Education currently provides each 11th grader with a free school-day test opportunity in the spring. The registration for this test will be handled at school. More details will come on this next semester. Because all 11th graders will test on campus in March, we usually discourage registering for either the February or April national test dates. There is not enough time for the students to receive their scores and complete any additional prep work before they would take the test again. (See the "tip" below.)

This is definitely a personal or family decision for each student to make. On average, our college-bound students take the ACT two to three times.

Tip: Taking the test repetitively without any test prep activities between administrations is unlikely to produce better results. Check out ACT Academy for free online ACT prep!

Students register for national test dates online at act.org. This site provides test dates, registration deadlines, and much more.

Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch through the school's child nutrition program and who are in either 11th or 12th grade are eligible for two ACT fee waivers. (Note: This is two total waivers, not two each year.) Students must see their counselor ahead of the test registration deadline to request and receive a fee waiver. 

The SAT, administered by College Board, is one of the two most popular college admissions tests used in the U.S. The SAT is the test most likely to be accepted and/or preferred by many private, out-of-state, and/or selective colleges/universities. 

Students may take the SAT whenever they deem appropriate. Our general recommendation is that students take the test after they have completed at least Geometry in their math course sequence. 

This is definitely a personal or family decision for each student to make. Most of our college-bound students at MHS take the ACT only.

Students register for national test dates online at www.collegeboard.org. This site provides test dates, registration deadlines, and much more.

Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch through the school's child nutrition program are eligible for a SAT fee waiver. Students must see their counselor ahead of the test registration deadline to request and receive a fee waiver. More information on College Board's lifetime fee waiver benefits may be found here.