Standardized Testing at TASIS

ACT

The ACT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It is currently administered by the ACT, a nonprofit organization of the same name. The ACT test covers four academic skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. It also offers an optional direct writing test.

ACT has rolling registration for the current academic year. We offer the computer-based ACT. Students can register for the exam up until the deadline listed below. The TASIS school code is 867780.

23-24 Administration Dates:

October 28, 2023
Registration deadline: September 29, 2023

February 24, 2024
Registration deadline: January 26, 2024

More information about the ACT may be found at www.act.org. Students are responsible for registering for the exam through the same website no less than four weeks before the test date. A credit card is required to register.

PSAT

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the United States.

This test is not required by any universities for admission; it is optional at TASIS.

23-24 Administration Date:

October 15, 2022
Registration deadline: September 12, 2022

SAT

The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. There are two sections to the test: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. As of June 2021, the SAT no longer offers SAT Subject tests or the optional essay section of the SAT.

More information about the SAT may be found at www.collegeboard.org. Students are responsible for registering for the exam through the same website at least four weeks prior to the test date. A credit card is required to register.

Registration for the SAT opens approximately six weeks prior to the exam date. Our test center will appear full until that time. Please note TASIS is a public SAT test center so you must register early as space is very limited.

23-24 Administration Dates: 

October 7, 2023 (Digital SAT)**
Registration opens: August 24, 2023

Registration deadline: September 22, 2023

December 2, 2023 (Digital SAT)
Registration opens: October 19, 2023

Registration deadline: November 17, 2023

March 9, 2024 (Digital SAT)
Registration opens: January 25, 2024

Registration deadline: February 23, 2024

June 1, 2024 (Digital SAT)
Registration opens: April 18, 2024

Registration deadline: May 17, 2024

**The October SAT date falls during TASIS Family Weekend, so please plan accordingly. The test will be finished by 12:00 on the test date for standard time test takers. Test takers with extended time will finish their exams by 13:30

In Spring 2022, the Collegeboard announced that international test centers will move to the digital SAT in full starting in Spring 2023. For more information, please visit their website.

The Duolingo English Test is an inexpensive and flexible way to either meet this requirement at many universities, but also tell you if you need to improve your English fluency before next year. It costs about 50 francs and can be taken on your laptop in your room. 

The International English Language Testing System is for study, migration, or work, for UK universities specifically. Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9. This test is required by the United Kingdom for non-native English speaking university foreign applicants.

More information can be found here.

Students applying for a foundation course in the UK may be required to sit for the IELTS UKIV for the Tier IV visa, and this test is not offered at TASIS. You can register for that test here.

TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language that is accepted by some universities, but given it is not accepted in the UK for visa purposes, the College Counseling Department recommends students sit for an IELTS test instead of a TOEFL. There is no need to sit both exams.

Please note: 

• TOEFL is no longer administered at TASIS. However, there are numerous testing sites in Milan and other parts of Switzerland. Register here.

• Currently TOEFL results are not accepted by UK Immigration authorities for the purpose of obtaining a study visa. Non-UK students interested in studying in the UK may be told by universities that they will need to take the IELTS after submitting applications.

The Secondary Schools Admissions Test is a standardized test focused on verbal, math, and reading skills for entrance into secondary education institutions.

Note: As of Fall 2022, TASIS will no longer administer the SSAT exam on campus. Students who need to take this exam are encouraged to find a different SSAT test center and/or work with their potential schools to determine the requirements for admission. 

For students who are applying to other secondary schools and need an invigilator for an entrance exam, we recommend those students directly with their prospective institutions to learn more about their process and requirements. If an invigilator is not provided/organized by that institution, then the TASIS Test Coordinator may be able to organize invigilation for those exams. Email testcoordinator@tasis.ch with information about the school, entrance exam requirements, and testing process to get started.