To encourage and support a college-going culture, Vancouver Public Schools will offer students the opportunity to take the SAT exam free of charge as part of SAT School Day. VPS high school juniors and seniors, whether taking the test for the first time or retaking it, will be able to tackle the nation’s most widely used college entrance exam on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.

Columbia River, Fort Vancouver, Hudson’s Bay and Skyview high schools; Vancouver iTech Preparatory; Vancouver School of Arts and Academics; Vancouver Flex Academy; and the Lieser campus will administer the three-and-a-half-hour exam that will test students’ knowledge of math, reading and writing.

Throughout February and March, approximately 2,000 students will register for the SAT at their schools. As part of the registration process, they’ll create accounts with College Board, the organization that develops and administers the test, and receive free test preparation tools from educational nonprofit Khan Academy.

This is the first year that VPS will participate in SAT School Day. By providing students with the opportunity to take the exam free of charge, the district has removed financial challenges that might reduce student participation. SAT fees can cost up to $65.

In addition, testing on a school day rather than on the weekend ensures that promising students who might face barriers to standard Saturday testing―such as lack of transportation, part-time jobs or family commitments―do not miss out on this chance at the college-going process.

“We feel like this is a great step to boost students’ confidence and their readiness to approach a college for admission,” said Advancement Via Individual Determination Coordinator Courtney Yinger.

Attn: Juniors and seniors

Do you want to take the SAT for free on Tuesday, April 12? Talk to your school counselor to sign up!