The PSAT, which stands for the preliminary SAT, is actually a preparatory exam in itself, which attempts to gauge your academic performance to better prepare for the actual college entry level examination, the SAT. The PSAT is a standardized exam that tests your mathematics, critical reading and writing skills. Sophomores are encouraged to take this exam during the month of October. It is important to note that PSAT scores do not appear on a student's transcript nor are they viewed by college admissions committees.
The SAT is an exam designed to assess your intellect as well as academic maturity and aptitude for the college level. During the SAT, critical thinking skills and speed are tested as you must not only determine the correct answer to questions but do so in a limited amount of time. Colleges and universities use the SAT to ascertain whether prospective students will succeed at their school.
SAT Subject Tests are one-hour exams that provide additional information to college admissions committees about your academic strength and intellectual achievements in more specific subject matters. These subject tests are usually not required at many colleges, but they support your high school transcript and illustrate the type of student you are, enlightening colleges about your academic background.
The ACT is similar to the SAT in that either one of these exams is required for college admission. Certain schools allow only the SAT to be taken to matriculate, but other schools will except SAT or ACT scores for consideration into their university. The ACT consists of four separate tests combined into one exam: mathematics, English, reading and science reasoning. The score received on this test is used as an indicator of the student's chances of success in upper-level education.