Teachers
Tutors

International exams at the English School

The English School High School curriculum prepares students to take the SAT and AP exams, which are internationally renown and increase their options when applying to universities in Finland and abroad.

It is not obligatory for students to take these tests, but many do because they prepare for entrance into international universities. Many universities all over the world accept the SAT and the AP. In Finland, the Helsinki School of Economics accepts students also on the basis of high SAT scores.

The names of the tests we help students prepare for and offer are:

PSAT = Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
SAT = Scholastic Aptitude Test
AP = Advanced Placement program

For more information, go to the website of the organizer of these exams, the College Board: www.collegeboard.com.

What is the PSAT?

  • The PSAT prepares for the SAT. On average, students who take the PSAT earn higher scores on the SAT than those who do not. One reason: The tests have the same formats, directions, sample questions, and question types.
  • If you are an American citizen, you can become eligible for scholarships if you get good scores on the PSAT.
  • The PSAT takes two hours and 10 minutes.
  • The PSAT is offered in Finland at the English School, usually in mid-October (in 2009 on Oct. 14th).
  • The SAT is used for college admission, but PSAT scores are not sent to colleges.
  • The English School is currently the only school in Finland that offers this exam. 

What is the SAT?

  • The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college.
  • The SAT has three scores, each on the scale of 200 to 800. Scores include writing (W 200-800), mathematics (M 200-800), and critical reading (CR 200-800). 500 on each section is the mean (average) score.
  • It is administered six times a year outside the US. SAT should be taken winter/spring of second year of high school. You can take the test as many times as you want.
  • The fee for the SAT Test is about 55 euros
  • The total testing time for the SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes.
  • The English School has courses to prepare for this exam and it is the only school in Finland that directly prepares students to take the SAT.
  • Nearly every college in America accepts the SAT as part of its admissions process.
  • Register at www.collegeboard.com to take this exam. It is offered in Finland four times a year on these dates (2009-2010) the dates in parenthesis are the last day for registration:
    10.10. (9.9.), 7.11. (1.10.), 5.12.2009 (30.10.), 23.1.2010 (15.12.), 1.5. (25.3.) and 5.6. (29.4.)
    It is organized in Finland by the Suomi-Amerikka Yhdistysten Liitto (www.sayl.fi).

What is the AP Program/Exam?

Participating in the AP Program gives you the opportunity to take college-level courses while you’re still in high school. At the English School you’ll receive help to take the AP exams in English, languages, history, physics, calculus, chemistry, psychology and more.
AP courses teach you skills that can lead to success in college. You’ll develop the writing skills, problem-solving techniques, and study habits that will prepare you for college academics. Plus, taking rigorous AP courses demonstrates your maturity, willingness to push yourself intellectually, and commitment to academic excellence, which can help you stand out in the college admissions process. 

Advantages of AP exams

  • They improve students’ chances of getting into all universities worldwide
  • Over 3,000 universities in more than 30 countries grant students credit, placement, or admission both for qualifying AP Exam grades.
  • In U.S. universities AP exam grades award students credit for the course or allow you to skip the introductory course.
  • The TES curriculum prepares student for AP exams.
  • The AP is no more difficult than Matriculation exams.
  • The TES curriculum prepares students for both the Finnish system (matriculation exam) and for International study options if you take the AP exams.
  • Aside from the TES curriculum, some subjects offer courses that train students in the format of the exam.
  • For more information, go to www.collegeboard.com

If you would like more information on how the English School prepares for these exams, please contact test coordinator Elisabeth Clement (elisabeth.clement@edu.hel.fi) for an appointment.