Dickinson College Office of International Admissions

What is a Standardized Test?
Standardized tests are designed to give a common measure of students’ performances. Because large numbers of students, nationally and internationally, take the same test, they provide educators a common model or “standard” for assessing aptitude. In addition, the U.S. government requires that international students establish proof of their English proficiency as an integral part of the student-visa process. Standardized testing that reflects your English proficiency, such as TOEFL or SAT, will meet the U. S. government requirements.

Formats
The most commonly used test formats are the SAT I, SAT II, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the ACT. Following is some general information:

The SAT I is used to help determine your academic readiness to attend college. It is a three-hour and forty-five-minute test containing multiple-choice questions designed to measure your verbal and mathematical-reasoning abilities and an essay assignment.
For more information, visit: www.collegeboard.org.
The SAT II subject tests focus on specific academic subjects. For example, you may test in biology, history, mathematics, literature or a foreign language.
For more information, visit: www.collegeboard.org.
The four-hour ACT test is designed to assess high-school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The ACT covers four specific skill areas: English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning.
For more information, visit: www.act.org.
The TOEFL provides English-proficiency testing for international students planning to study in countries where English is the language of instruction.
For more information, visit: www.toefl.org.

Students during a sari wrapping.

Commonly Asked Questions

Does Dickinson require some standardized tests and, if so, what tests are required of international applicants?

Dickinson College only requires that you take the TOEFL. However, if you plan to apply for financial assistance, you must submit SAT I or ACT results.

Use the same name and name order on all application materials, including your testing forms and registration. If you become aware that your name is different on your testing materials, please notify us immediately so we can be sure to properly match your test materials to your student and application file.

I’m not planning to apply for financial aid. Because of this, I’m not required to take the SAT. Will not taking the SAT be harmful in any way?

If your test results are strong, you may want to submit them in support of your other academic credentials. Bear in mind that we are most interested in your math and subject tests, using your TOEFL as the primary assessment of your English proficiency.

If you do not submit your test results, you will not jeopardize your application—unless your transcript and/or recommendations cause concern about your ability to succeed here and we have no other information.


Standardized Testing
Information Overview & FAQ Request Information Application Forms Student/Parent/Alumni Contacts Student Perspectives International Student Quick Facts Travel Log Global Education College Search Tools Contact Us Brochures Get to Know Dickinson Application Overview Advanced Credit Standardized Testing Application Options Your Application Financial Aid Dickinson Community Visa Information	As you research how to apply to colleges in the United States, you may hear words and acronyms that you don’t know, such as: standardized testing, SAT, ACT and TOEFL. This brochure will help you understand what these mean and how they relate to Dickinson. Individual American colleges and universities have different requirements when it comes to standardized tests. You need to understand the policies of the schools that interest you very early in the college-search process, since you’ll need to schedule these tests well ahead of time. For some of you, that may mean traveling to another location in your country or to a different country altogether.
	What is a Standardized Test? Standardized tests are designed to give a common measure of students’ performances. Because large numbers of students, nationally and internationally, take the same test, they provide educators a common model or “standard” for assessing aptitude. In addition, the U.S. government requires that international students establish proof of their English proficiency as an integral part of the student-visa process. Standardized testing that reflects your English proficiency, such as TOEFL or SAT, will meet the U. S. government requirements. Formats The most commonly used test formats are the SAT I, SAT II, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the ACT. Following is some general information: The SAT I is used to help determine your academic readiness to attend college. It is a three-hour and forty-five-minute test containing multiple-choice questions designed to measure your verbal and mathematical-reasoning abilities and an essay assignment. For more information, visit: www.collegeboard.org. The SAT II subject tests focus on specific academic subjects. For example, you may test in biology, history, mathematics, literature or a foreign language. For more information, visit: www.collegeboard.org. The four-hour ACT test is designed to assess high-school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The ACT covers four specific skill areas: English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. For more information, visit: www.act.org. The TOEFL provides English-proficiency testing for international students planning to study in countries where English is the language of instruction. For more information, visit: www.toefl.org. Commonly Asked Questions Does Dickinson require some standardized tests and, if so, what tests are required of international applicants? Dickinson College only requires that you take the TOEFL. However, if you plan to apply for financial assistance, you must submit SAT I or ACT results. Use the same name and name order on all application materials, including your testing forms and registration. If you become aware that your name is different on your testing materials, please notify us immediately so we can be sure to properly match your test materials to your student and application file. I’m not planning to apply for financial aid. Because of this, I’m not required to take the SAT. Will not taking the SAT be harmful in any way? If your test results are strong, you may want to submit them in support of your other academic credentials. Bear in mind that we are most interested in your math and subject tests, using your TOEFL as the primary assessment of your English proficiency. If you do not submit your test results, you will not jeopardize your application—unless your transcript and/or recommendations cause concern about your ability to succeed here and we have no other information.	Hristo Banov, third-year student from Bulgaria, submitted scores for the TOEFL, SAT I, SAT II Writing, SAT II Math and SAT II German, displaying his abilities in his strongest areas. His advice: “Don’t be shy to ask any sorts of questions about the application process. Be yourself while writing the application essays. And do not panic about applications and exams.” We are here for YOU. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. International Admissions Dickinson College P.O. Box 1773 28 N. College St. Carlisle, PA 17013 E-mail: studyusa@dickinson.edu Web site: www.dickinson.edu/international Phone: 001-717-245-1231 Fax:001-631-947-0270 or 001-717-245-1442
	Does Dickinson require a minimum score on any of the standardized tests? We require a minimum TOEFL score of 230, but a score of 250 is preferred on the computer-based test (on the Internet-based test, our minimum score is 89, and our preferred is 100; on paper-based test, our minimum is 570 and our preferred is 600). If you are applying for scholarship or financial aid, a combined Critical Reading and Math SAT score of 1350 or better, or an ACT composite of 32 or better, is preferred. If your combined score is lower, we will consider your TOEFL results when reviewing your credentials. In this case, a score of 700-plus in the Math section of the SAT and 250-plus computer or 100-plus Internet-based on the TOEFL would be best. More information is available at: www.dickinson.edu/admit/scholarjdsbrs.html. Does Dickinson prefer the SAT or the ACT? If there is no preference, which test do most applicants take? Dickinson College does not have a preference between the SAT and the ACT, and you can feel comfortable submitting either. Most of our students submit SAT results. When do I have to submit my testing results? You must submit your testing results before the application deadlne under which you are applying. If you take additional exams after the deadline, we will review those results only if they arrive before the final decisions are made. Know the application deadlines. They can be found online at: www.dickinson.edu/international/brochure_AppOptions.html. Make sure you know the testing-registratioin deadlines so that you can register for your testing dates far in advance. Spaces quickly fill and you may miss the testing date needed to submit your results in time for consideration. Results are usually ready two weeks after the exam date, but on certain dates with heavy volume, the results could take longer. How can I submit my testing results to Dickinson? You may submit your testing results directly through the testing service and they will be sent to us electronically under the name you used for that exam. You also may submit a certified copy of your exam results that has been signed and stamped by an official at your high school. The certified copy can be sent to us via postal mail (only if it will arrive by the deadline), fax or e-mail (scanned and attached). Does Dickinson require SAT II subject tests? If so, how many and which ones should I take? Dickinson College does not require SAT II tests. How will Dickinson handle my test results if I take the test more than one time? If you submit test results from more than one examination, Dickinson College will take your highest scores. However, on your Dickinson application checklist, you will see only one set of testing results, usually the set first submitted to your file.

	Dickinson College Carlisle, PA 17013