College Placement Tests are required at all post-secondary schools. 

ACT and SAT College Placement Tests:    Required tests for entry into 4-year college and universities.

Technical Colleges and Community Colleges require students to take a placement test prior to registering for classes. This determines which level of course work students can enter.  The placement test that schools give may differ from school to school so it is important to check what is required at your school of interest. Below are links to the information for schools in our area.

Bellingham Technical College Placement Testing

Skagit Valley College Placement Testing

Whatcom Community College Placement Testing

Most colleges and universities in and out of state require either SAT or ACT test scores to be considered for admission.  In addition, some school may also require that students take SAT Subject Tests.  Additionally, many scholarships require SAT or ACT test scores as part of the application process. College catalogs, many of which are available in the career center, identify the tests and requirements for admission.  

The following websites have detailed information about the ACT or SAT tests as well as on-line registration. You will need to know that Mt. Baker's High School Code is 480 305:

ACT - www.actstudent.org

SAT - www.collegeboard.com

Both tests are given throughout the year (note that there are several test dates for the SAT where the test will be given on MBHS's campus).  If you have not taken the SAT or ACT, or you are unhappy with your past test scores, register to take the next available test.  Registration materials are available in the career center.  *****  Colleges will always take your best score no matter how many times you take a particular test.

There are also several SAT workshops offered locally throughout the year for a fee.  Their dates will be announced in the bulletin and posted outside the career center.

That depends on you.  Half of all students have scores in the same range when they take the ACT or SAT.  If you are a slow tester, the ACT might be a benefit because you are not penalized for questions you don’t answer.  If you are an above average math student you should take the SAT because it gives more “weight” to its math section.  Also, if you aren’t sure where you will be applying to college it is advisable to take both tests at least once as some colleges only accept SAT scores and others only accept ACT scores.