​​​​​​​​​​Section 5-03 – Standardized Testing

All schools are required to participate in an Archdiocesan-wide standardized testing program.  Necessary information and applications for the following tests are available to students who attend Bishop Alemany. 

Star Assessments (Grades 9-11)

​Star Assessments are short, computer adaptive tests that provide teachers with personalized learning data for each student.  The data received from Star Assessments is used to learn what students know and what they are ready to learn next, to monitor student growth, and to determine which students may need additional help.  Alemany students take a Star test for math and reading.

Preliminary Scholastic Assessment (PSAT) (Grades 9-11)
These tests are designed as preparation for the SAT.  The 11^th grade test is also the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program.  The College Board has redesigned this series of exams so that each grade level takes an appropriate version:  PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and the traditional PSAT (primarily intended for 11^th graders).

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
This is a three-part test on critical reading, mathematical abilities and writing skills that the student has developed in high school.  It is the basis of admission to most four-year colleges and universities.  Any senior planning to go to a four-year college should take the SAT Reasoning Test by November of his or her senior year.  Juniors are encouraged to take the SAT Reasoning Test in the spring of their junior year.  Dates for this test are available in the College Career Center, the school calendar, and in various bulletins distributed to students and parents/guardians throughout the year.

American College Testing Program (ACT)
ACT, like the SAT Reasoning Test, is a college entrance test.  Every senior should check the test requirements of the college he or she chooses.  Bishop Alemany encourages all students intending to attend a four-year college to take both the SAT Reasoning Test and ACT.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
This test offers an evaluation of the abilities of a person in many different areas.  The results of this test are most helpful in deciding a career.  This test is offered free to all seniors (in the fall semester) and juniors (in the spring semester), whether or not they are considering a military career.  See the annual school calendar for dates.

Examinations and Test Dates

The following school code is required for PSAT, SAT, and other college tests; college admissions; scholarship applications and other applications:  Bishop Alemany High School Code:  052898.

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SAT Reasoning Test Dates and Fee Information for 2024-2025
 

IMPORTANT:  The College Board no longer offers Writing or SAT Subject tests.
 
SAT Registration Fee = $60.00
 

 
Online SAT registration is at www.collegeboard.org.

ACT Test Dates and Fee Information for 2024-2025

Basic ACT Registration Fee (per test option):

            ACT (No Writing)        $68.00

            ACT (With Writing)     $93.00

Please note that most colleges require students to complete the Writing Section to be considered for admission.

ACT Fee includes reports for student, his/her high school (if student authorizes reporting), and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when student registers).​

Topic 5-03-1 – College Entrance Exam Requirements
 
Students are to carefully schedule their classes in consultation with their individual counselor in order to meet graduation and college admission requirements.

The following subject requirements are those for University of California, California State Universities, and most four-year colleges.  In addition to these subject requirements, a student must be a graduate of an accredited high school (Bishop Alemany High School is a WASC-accredited high school), must have maintained a good scholastic record, and must have taken required exams (such as the SAT or ACT).  It is suggested that each student check additional subject requirements for certain majors and other requirements in the catalog of the college of his/her choice.

IMPORTANT:  To satisfy entrance requirements, four-year colleges will not accept any course in which a grade of “D" or “F" was earned.
 
I.    ​UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – UC (see website:  http://www.ucop.edu / Click "About")

Subject Requirement – A student applying for admission to the University of California must have completed a minimum of 15 units of approved high school work in academic or college preparatory courses as specified and listed below.

Specified “A-G" Course Requirements

1. History/Social Science – 6 semesters
   2 semesters of U.S. History, U.S. Government AND 1 year of college-prep World/Global History
2. English – 8 semesters
   Courses must be chosen from those that are certified by the University of California.
3. Mathematics – 6 semesters required; 8 recommended
   For example, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, etc.
   
4. Lab Science – 4 semesters required; 6 recommended
   2 semesters of Biology and 2 semesters of Chemistry or Physics
5. Foreign Language – 4 semesters required; 6 recommended
   2 years of the same college-prep foreign language
6. Visual and Performing Arts – 2 semesters required
   Courses must be chosen from those certified by the University of California.
7. College Preparatory Electives – 2 semesters required
   One year, in addition to those required in “A-G" above chosen from the following areas:  History, Social Science, English, Advanced Mathematics, Laboratory Science and language other than English.  Please note that a second year of Visual and Performing Arts may only fulfill this requirement in very limited situations.
   
   Scholarship Requirement – The Scholarship requirement defines the grade point average (GPA) students must attain in the “A-G" subjects and the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Test or ACT Test (with Writing Section) scores to be eligible for admission to the University.
   
   IMPORTANT:  “D" and “F" grades in the “A-G" courses must be repeated.  Grades for repeated courses in which the student initially earned a grade of “C" or better will not be used.
   

II.         ​CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY – CSU (see website:  www.csumentor.edu)
A student intending to enroll in a state college (i.e., Long Beach State, San Diego State, C.S.U.N., etc.) must be a graduate of a California high school and have a GPA and total score on the SAT or ACT that places him or her among the upper one-third of California high school graduates.  Students must have completed a minimum of 15 units of high school work during grades 9 through 12.  Specific course requirements are listed below:

1. History/Social Science – 6 semesters required
   Includes one year of U.S. History and 1 semester of U.S. Government.
2. English – 8 semesters required
   Must be college prep courses.
3. Mathematics – 6 semesters required; 8 recommended
   Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, etc.
4. Laboratory Science – 4 semesters required
   One year biological and one year physical (Biology and Chemistry, for example).
5. Foreign Language – 4 semesters
   2 years of the same language.
   
6. Visual and Performing Arts – 2 semesters required
   Must be approved college prep courses.
7. Electives – 2 semesters required
   Must be approved college prep courses.  Please note that a second year of Visual and Performing Arts may only fulfill this requirement in very limited situations.
   
   Eligibility – The grade point average and test score (SAT/ACT) must meet the minimum eligibility index.
   
   Certified Courses for Admission to UC/CSU – It is important to note that the University of California certifies a number of courses offered at Bishop Alemany as acceptable for admission to the university.  These courses are considered demanding and rigorous, both in content and grading to serve as a good basis for prediction of success in college.  Students must select courses at Bishop Alemany only from the approved list to meet requirements for admission to any UC or CSU campus.  Courses not appearing on this certified list are NOT acceptable for admission.
   
   NOTE:  Underlined courses are certified by the University of California as Honors level or Advanced Placement and receive extra Honors credit (A = 5; B = 4, C = 3).
   
   Certified courses are:

• History/Social Science – U.S. History, AP U.S. History, U.S. Government, AP U.S. Government, Global History, AP World History
• English – Honors English 9, English 9, American Literature, Honors American Literature, English Literature, Honors English Literature, AP English Language, Understanding Literature, College Composition, AP English Literature, Arts/Culture/Literature, English Composition, Shakespeare and Literature, The Modern American Novel
• Mathematics – Algebra I, Honors Algebra I, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, Trigonometry A/B, Trigonometry and Math Analysis, Advanced Topics, CP Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC​, AP Precalculus, Statistics, AP Statistics
  
• Laboratory Science – Biology, Accelerated Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics, AP Physics C, Anatomy/Physiology, Kinesiology
• Foreign Language – French I, French II, French III, French IV, Spanish I, Spanish Heritage I, Spanish II, Spanish Heritage II, Spanish III, Spanish Heritage III, Honors Spanish III, Spanish IV, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature​, Honors Spanish III
  
• Visual and Performing Arts – Art and Artist, Ceramics A/B, Dance A/B, Schola Cantorum, Theater A/B, Advanced Art I A/B, Digital Video Production, Studio Art A/B, Band, Orchestra, Advanced Choir, Advanced Digital Production, Advanced Theater, Intro to Design Sculpture, Drum Line, Art Production [Yearbook], Advanced Art II, Advanced Art III
  
• Electives – Economics, Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Law and Society, History Through Film, AP Economics, Rhetoric and Composition, Humanities, Earth Science, Comparative Religions, Introduction to Western Philosophy, Science, Ocean Science
   

III.                PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
Subject requirements for freshman admission are often very similar to the University of California and California State University.  Since there are differences, students should check the college catalog of his or her choice.  Students should also check subject requirements for their specific major.

IV.               COMMUNITY COLLEGES
A student intending to enroll in any community college (i.e., Pierce, Valley, College of the Canyons, Mission, etc.) must have completed the required course of study as prescribed by his or her high school and have received a high school diploma.  If a student does not receive a diploma, he or she may attend a community college if he or she is 18 years of age or older and can present evidence of being able to pursue successfully, and to profit from the proposed course of study.

V.                 NCAA ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
Division I General Requirements:  Student athletes entering collegiate institutions must graduate from high school and earn a minimum GPA in a core curriculum.  The exact requirements vary depending upon (1) whether the student athlete will be allowed to play or will "red ​shirt" during his or her first year of college, and (2) the year in which the student athlete begins college.  Details may be found at NCAA Eligibility Center website:  www.eligibilitycenter.org. 

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