University of Montevallo Upward Bound 11th and 12th Grade Testing Requirements
College admission requires that students take a standardized college admission test. While the more
familiar test—and most accepted college entrance test—in the South is the ACT, the SAT test is also widely
accepted.
In order to ensure each student is progressing towards a successful score of the ACT Test, the University of Montevallo Upward Bound program has set up the following test protocol. It is MANDATORY for each student. If any student does not complete mandatory testing, he/she will be ineligible to receive a stipend until the test requirements are met.
11th GradeAll 11th graders are REQUIRED to take the ACT test at least ONCE before December of their JUNIOR year. The ONLY exception is if a junior is receiving additional tutoring assistance and still needs to pass critical AHSGE sections in December. Documentation of the test score must be on file with the Upward Bound Tutor Coordinator in order to receive stipends. Students who attended the summer component have already earned an ACT Fee Waiver. Students should contact the Tutor Coordinator to receive these Fee Waivers. An average score is 19—22; however, IF students want to be eligible for scholarships students should aim for a MINIMUM score of 28—32.
12th GradeAll 12th graders are REQUIRED to take the ACT test at least TWICE before December of their SENIOR year (Ex. : You can take it ONCE during your senior year and the SECOND time during your senior year/summer before your senior year). Documentation of the test score must be on file with the Upward Bound Tutor Coordinator in order to receive stipends. Students who attended the summer component have already earned an ACT Fee Waiver. Students should contact the Tutor Coordinator to receive these Fee Waivers. An average score is 19—22; however, IF students want to be eligible for scholarships students should aim for a MINIMUM score of 28—32.
Fee Waivers are earned after 4 hours of documented ACT Prep—which can be done in Super Saturday Sessions, during Think Tank Tutoring, during the summer component, or in local schools under the supervision of the Tutor Coordinator. Students can earn a TOTAL of TWO FEE WAIVERS; after those two waivers have been used, students will need to pay for the test.
Upward Bound Seniors may also select to take the SAT test, a standardized college admission test similar to the ACT, and receive two fee waivers for the SAT, as well as AP Fee Waivers. Using this option, a student would be able to take the ACT two times and the SAT two times to qualify for admission and/or scholarships. If a senior is taking an AP class, it is HIGHLY recommended he/she take the SAT test, as well as the ACT test.
College Admissions departments consider a student’s GPA, as well as ACT/SAT scores. For example, the University of Montevallo lists a 20 minimum with a 3.0 GPA—also minimum qualifications for the Upward Bound Bridge program. Auburn University and the University of Alabama list these scores as standards for admission:
ACT Composite: 22 / 27 SAT Writing: 520 - 620
ACT English: 23 / 30 SAT Critical Reading: 520 - 620
ACT Math: 22 / 28 SAT Mathematics: 550 - 650