ACT/SAT Information

The ACT is required for students to meet the initial eligibility requirements for the Taylor Opportunity Programs for Students (TOPS). Students may substitute an SAT test to meet this requirement. TOPS does not use the Essay portion of either test as a qualifier for the TOPS Scholarship. TOPS requires a composite score, and does not accept ACT Superscores.

Students must achieve the minimum score for one of the four award levels of the TOPS Scholarship*.

• TOPS Opportunity Award – Never less than a 20, prior year Louisiana state average (currently, a 20)
• TOPS Performance Award – 23
• TOPS Honors Award – 27
• TOPS Tech – Minimum score of a 17 or ACT Silver Workkeys.

*Students who are registered as a home study student with the Louisiana Department of Education, out of state high school graduates and out of country high school graduates who meet the other TOPS Initial Eligibility Requirements must have meet the ACT requirements for TOPS Alternate Eligibility.

The April National Test Day is the last opportunity for students to receive a qualifying score without a penalty for the TOPS Scholarship. Students who use a qualifying score for the June or July test will receive a one semester reduction of their TOPS Award.

The ACT is administered on National Test Days throughout the United States. Click here to see the test dates and registration deadlines.

ACT Registration: LOSFA’s ACT code is 1595

1. Computer with Internet Access
2. Credit Card or Other Payment Method
3. High School Course Details
4. Headshot Photo

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR REGISTRATION

• You must submit a photo

To complete your registration, you must provide a recent photo of yourself for identification and test security purposes. This photo will print on your ticket and on the score report that is automatically sent to your high school. ACT will retain the photo for a period of time consistent with active use of test scores and test security purposes, and use as described in the ACT Privacy Policy.

• Accommodations and English Learner (EL) Supports

All requests for accommodations and EL supports, including appeals, must be submitted by the published late registration deadline for your preferred test date through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system. Temporary arrangements may be available for temporary conditions. Temporary arrangements are available for situations such as a broken arm. Contact ACTAccom@act.org for a request form.

Students must request accommodations for each ACT test by the published late registration deadline.

When You Should Test

Consider choosing a test date at least two months ahead of the application deadlines of all the colleges and scholarship agencies to which you might want to apply.Scores for the ACT are normally reported within 2–8 weeks after the test date. If you take the ACT with writing,

scores will be reported only after all of your scores are available, including writing, normally within 5–8 weeks after the test date.

Click here to search for an ACT Test Center near you.

Click here to look up your high school code.

If you are registering for the writing portion, click here to learn more about the writing portion of the ACT test.

Make Sure Your Registration Is Complete

The confirmation page will appear after you have entered your payment information.

This page will list your confirmation number, admission ticket, and instructions for test

day. Print this page for your records.

After you have successfully registered, you should see options similar to the example shown below. You can print your admissions ticket at any time prior to the test date by clicking Print Admission Ticket.

Check out these free online prep resources:

• Free ACT Practice Test found in their MyACT account (from ACT): https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf
• ACT Vocabulary Games and Tests: http://quizlet.com/6991782/act-test-vocabulary-prep-flash-cards/
• ACT Test Prep (Vocabulary) http://www.myvocabulary.com/act-test-prep/
• ACT Reading Comprehension Practice: https://www.testprepreview.com/act_practice.htm
• ACT Practice tests: https://www.4tests.com/act-practice-test
• ACT Tips and Practice tests: https://www.testpreptoolkit.com/act-practice-tests
• ACT Tips and Practice tests: https://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-practice-test/
• ACT Prep, Expectations, Practice tests: https://magoosh.com/hs/act-practice-test/

The ACT Waiver Program

The ACT Waiver Program covers the registration fee for up to four ACT tests, with or without the optional writing test for National testing.

In addition to the registration fee, students who are eligible for the waiver also receive free learning resources and free additional score reports. Students who test with an ACT fee waiver may also request a Waiver or Deferral of College Admission Applications Fee. To have a college application fee waived, you must submit your fee waiver directly to the college you are applying to (not to ACT).

• Be currently enrolled in high school in the 11th or 12th grade.
• Be testing in the United States, US territories, or Puerto Rico.
• Meet one or more of the indicators of economic need listed below:
  • Enrolled in a federal free or reduced-price lunch program at school, based on US Department of Agriculture (USDA) income levels.
  • Enrolled in a program for the economically disadvantaged (for example, a federally funded program such as GEAR UP or Upward Bound). Note: If the student participates in a program, but is not economically disadvantaged, they are not eligible for a fee waiver.
  • Resides in a foster home, is a ward of the state, or is homeless.
  • Family receives low-income public assistance or lives in federally subsidized public housing.
  • Family’s total annual income is at or below USDA levels for free or reduced-price lunches on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.
  1. Check with your school counselor to see if you are eligible to apply.
  2. Once your school counselor determines if you are eligible, you can receive up to four fee waivers to take the ACT test for free and you will receive free learning resources.
  3. When you register for the ACT online or by mail, use your ACT fee waiver code.

  ACT Test Day

  Bring:

  Admission Ticket
  Print a copy of your admission ticket to bring to the test center. If you forget your ticket on test day, your scores may be delayed. If you have lost your ticket, you can print another through your MyACT account . Acceptable Photo identification
  Acceptable photo identification is required to be admitted to the test center. You will not be admitted to test if your ID does not meet ACT requirements. Mask
  Unless required by your local laws at the test center, masks are not required for admission. However, you may wish to bring a mask and ACT recommends masks in accordance with CDC guidance. Number 2 pencil
  Bring sharpened, No. 2 pencils with good erasers (no mechanical pencils or ink pens). Do not bring any other writing instruments; you will not be allowed to use them. Watch or Other Timing Device
  You may bring a watch, timer, or stopwatch to pace yourself during testing, but it may not have an alarm. Your watch or other timing device must be removed and placed on your desk while in the test room, so that it remains visible to staff during the test. If an alarm sounds, you’ll be dismissed and your test will not be scored. Calculator
  Bring a permitted calculator to be used on the mathematics test only. You are not required to use a calculator at all, but if you do, it
  is your responsibility to know whether your calculator is permitted. Snacks
  to eat outside the test center on break.

  Don’t bring any of these; you can’t access them:

  • Textbooks, foreign language or other dictionaries, scratch paper, notes, or other aids
  • Highlighter pens, colored pens or pencils, or correction fluid/tape
  • Any electronic device, other than a permitted calculator and acceptable watch or timing device
  • Reading material
  • Tobacco in any form

  Prohibited devices

  The prohibited use of devices is in effect from the time you are admitted to your testing room until you are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times. Specifically:

  • You may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, Wi-Fi, internet, or communication capabilities.
  • All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight.
  • If you access your device or it activates or alarms in the testing room or during break times, you will be dismissed, your test will not be scored, and your phone or device may be taken away.

  Requesting Accommodations and English Learner (EL) Supports

  To request accommodations, you must work with a school official because the accommodations requested should be based on the accommodations the student currently receives in school. Accommodations MUST be approved by ACT prior to the testing. Simply requesting an accommodation is not sufficient.

  All requests, including appeals, must be submitted by the late registration deadline for the preferred test date. If the request is not properly submitted, it may not be approved in time for the preferred test date. Click here for more information.

  1. Register to test by logging into MyACT to complete the following:
     1. Link a valid high school to your MyACT account before you register to allow ACT to communicate your registration to the associated school official in TAA.
     2. Select ‘Yes’ when prompted to confirm you need accommodations after beginning the registration process. If you selected ‘no,’ you will need to contact ACT as soon as possible to update your registration if you need to test with accommodations.
     1. Create or log in to an existing account and register to test. Online registration will ask you to indicate your accessibility needs.
     2. You will automatically receive an email that will provide a link to the application for your request. If you do not receive this message, you may email ACT for a copy.
     3. Complete all required documentation:
        1. Completed Exceptions Statement (PDF)
        2. Diagnostic documentation and/or English language proficiency scores
        3. Documentation to substantiate your need for accommodation, such as:
           1. Prior IEP, 504 plan, or educational plan
           2. Recommendation for test accommodations and/or supports from diagnosing professional, including rationale for each requested item
           3. Brief personal statement regarding any previously provided accommodation and/or EL supports in an educational environment, and a rationale for the current request
           • Email: actaccom@act.org
           • Fax: 319.341.2415
           • Mail: ACT Special Testing, 301 ACT Drive, PO Box 4028, Iowa City, IA 52243

           Say “YES” to EOS!

           When registering for PreACT® or the ACT® test, you can choose to sign up for the ACT Educational Opportunity Service (EOS).

           1. Get Discovered by Colleges. Signing up for EOS connects students to colleges and scholarship agencies for recruitment. Over 95% of EOS participants in a recent graduating class had their names selected by at least one college. Signing up can help you find paths to education after high school.
           2. Find Financial Aid Programs. EOS isn’t just about connecting with colleges. Groups that oversee scholarships and other forms of financial aid use it to connect with students. Signing up can improve your ways to pay for college.
           3. Improve Your College Search. Signing up for EOS can help you find college opportunities all over the country. (Note: A typical senior that opts in to ACT’s EOS program receives communication from an average of 20 colleges and/or scholarship programs that identify them as a good match).

           

           SAT Information

           For the TOPS Scholarship:

           Students may use an equivalent SAT score to meet the TOPS ACT requirement. TOPS does not use the Essay portion of the test as a qualifier for the TOPS Scholarship.

           Students must achieve the minimum score for one of the four award levels of the TOPS Scholarship*.

           • TOPS Opportunity Award – SAT Score of 1030
           • TOPS Performance Award – SAT Score of 1130
           • TOPS Honors Award – SAT Score of 1260
           • TOPS Tech – SAT Score of 920

           *Students who are registered as a home study student with the Louisiana Department of Education, out of state high school graduates and out of country high school graduates who meet the other TOPS Initial Eligibility Requirements must have meet the requirements for TOPS Alternate Eligibility.

           The March National Test Day is the last opportunity for students to receive a qualifying score without a penalty for the TOPS Scholarship. Students who use a qualifying score for the May or June test will receive a one semester reduction of their TOPS Award.

           Click here for SAT national test dates and registration deadlines.

           1. Computer with Internet Access
           2. Credit Card or Other Payment Method
           3. Headshot Photo (Click here for SAT Photo Requirements)

           ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR REGISTRATION

           To complete your registration, you must provide a recent photo of yourself for identification and test security purposes. This photo will be compared to your ID on test day.

           • Accommodations
           • Students who have a documented disability may be eligible for testing accommodations when they take the SAT. Some available accommodations include extended time, extra and extended breaks, and reading and seeing accommodations.
           • Students who need accommodations for the SAT, need to get approval prior to registering. It can take up to seven weeks for accommodations to be approved so make sure you start the process as early as possible.
           • College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) offers additional information about eligibility and how students can apply for accommodations. Click here to learn how to register for the SAT test with accommodations.

           When You Should Test

           Students usually take the SAT for the first time in spring of their junior year then again in the fall of their senior year.

           Click here to search for an SAT Test Center near you.

           The SAT Waiver Program

           The SAT Waiver Program covers the registration fee for two free SAT tests. If you qualify for the waiver, you do not have to pay anything to take the SAT!

           In addition to the registration fee, students who are eligible for the waiver also receive free college benefits and other benefits.

           • You’re enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
           • Your family’s annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.
           • You’re enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families, for example, TRIO programs like Upward Bound.
           • Your family receives public assistance.
           • You’re homeless or live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home.
           • You’re a ward of the state or an orphan.
           1. Check with your school counselor to see if you are eligible to apply.
           2. Once your school counselor determines if you are eligible, you can receive up to two fee waivers to take the SAT test for free.
           3. When you register for the SAT online or by mail, use your SAT fee waiver code.

           * If you’re homeschooled, you can get fee waivers by contacting a local high school counselor. You’ll need to provide proof of eligibility, such as tax records or proof of enrollment in an aid program.

           SAT Test Day

           1. Face covering
           2. Your up-to-date admission ticket. (You need to print this out.)
           3. Acceptable photo ID
           4. Two No. 2 pencils with erasers
           5. An approved calculator
           6. Epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) are permitted without the need for accommodations. They must be placed in a clear bag and stored under the student’s desk during testing. For policies on other medications and medical devices, contact Services for Students with Disabilities.

           The following items are Nice to have on test Day, but not required:

           • A watch (without an audible alarm)
           • Extra batteries and backup equipment—you’ll have to ask for permission to access them. They can’t be on your desk during the test.
           • A bag or backpack
           • A drink or snacks (for your break)
           • Mobile phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, or other wearable technology (simple digital non-smartwatches or analog watches are acceptable)
           • Audio players or recorders, tablets, laptops, notebooks, Bluetooth devices (such as wireless earbuds/headphones), or any other personal computing devices
           • Separate timers of any type
           • Cameras or any other photographic equipment
           • Pens, highlighters, or mechanical or colored pencils
           • Books or references of any kind except as approved as an English language learner support for in-school administrations
           • Compasses, rulers, protractors, or cutting devices
           • Papers of any kind, including scratch paper
           • Earplugs
           • Unacceptable calculators that have computer-style (QWERTY) keyboards, use paper tape, make noise, or use a power cord
           • Weapons or firearms