EducationUSA Advising Services in Canberra

If you wish to undertake study in the United States, either at graduate or undergraduate level, the EducationUSA Advising Center in Canberra is able to provide advice and assistance regarding testing, application and entrance procedures for U.S. universities. The Center has a large reference collection of books about studying in the United States that is available to the public.

Information on the following standardized tests is available: ACT, SAT, PSAT, GRE, GMAT, CLEP, TOEFL, LSAT, MCAT, CGFNS, ECFMG/USMLE.

The GRE information that appeared here is now listed below.

Standardised Testing Opportunities in Canberra

ACT

• A good alternative to the SAT for students who have average to above average knowledge & skills in science (there is no science section on the SAT)
• The entire test is made up of multiple choice questions
• The writing test is optional on the ACT, and costs approximately US$15 extra (check website for exact amount). The writing test is only available in October and April.
• This test fulfills the NCAA Clearinghouse testing requirement.
• Usually taken in Year 12, but Year 11 is a good time to take it as well
• 2008 Testing dates: Saturday 25 October, Saturday 13 December
• Arrive at center: 7:45am
• Test starts: 8am
• Test finishes: 12 noon for students not taking the writing test; 1pm for students taking the writing test
• Location: AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) in Bruce, in the Frank Stewart Training Facility (STF); look for the “Gold Room”. Ample free parking is available; ACTION buses have service to the AIS.
• Register online at www.act.org
• Registration Deadline: at least 6 weeks in advance of the exam. No standby testing is permitted at international testing sites.
• Approximate Costs: US$52 without writing test; US$66 with writing test (check website for exact amounts)
• Payment: online, by credit card ONLY
• For more information on the test: www.act.org
• For information on online test preparation materials, contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au
• For more information on testing and/or studying in the U.S., contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au

LSAT

• The LSAT is a standardized test often required for admission to law school
• 2008 Testing dates: Sunday 5 October, Sunday 7 December
• Arrive at center: 8:30am
• Test length: plan on being at the test center for up to 7 hours
• Location: AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) in Bruce, in the Frank Stewart Training Facility (STF); look for the “Gold Room”. Ample free parking is available; ACTION buses have service to the AIS.
• Free information booklets are available from Judy freuds@bigpond.net.au
• Register: online at www.lsac.org
• Registration Deadline: approximately 6 weeks prior to each test date
• Approximate Cost: US$125 (check website for exact amount)
• Payment options: check website, but by credit card is the most common
• For more information on the test: www.lsac.org
• For information on online test preparation materials, contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au
• For more information on testing and/or studying in the U.S., contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au

PSAT

• PSAT stands for “Preliminary SAT”. It is a standardized test that provides great practice & feedback prior to taking the SAT
• Usually taken in Year 11
• 2009 Testing date: Saturday 17 October This test is only available once a year — in October
• Arrive at center: 8:45am
• Test starts: 9:00am
• Test finishes: 12:00 noon
• Location: AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) in Bruce, in the Frank Stewart Training Facility (STF); look for the “Gold Room”. Ample free parking is available; ACTION buses have service to the AIS
• Information packets are available from Judy (freuds@bigpond.net.au) around mid-August
• Register: by contacting Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au It is not possible to register for this test online.
• Registration Deadline: none, but it would be appreciated if you would contact Judy by 13 October
• Cost: AUD$50
• Payment: cash only, to be paid on the test day
• For more information on the test and sample questions: www.collegeboard.com
• For information on online test preparation materials, contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au
• For more information on testing and/or studying in the U.S., contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au

SAT

• Usually taken in Year 12; but there are advantages to taking it in Year 11 as a practice run (such as never having to take it again if your scores are high)
• The first 25mins of the SAT Reasoning test is a mandatory essay section; the remainder of the test is made up almost entirely of multiple-choice questions
• SAT Subject Tests are also available — see www.collegeboard.com for more information. Note that it is only possible to take the SAT Reasoning Test or up to 3 SAT Subject Tests on any given test date.
• This test fulfills the NCAA Clearinghouse testing requirement
• 2008 Testing dates: Saturday 4 October, Saturday 1 November, Saturday 6 December
• Arrive at center: 7:45am
• Test starts: 8:00am
• Test finishes: between 12:30 and 1:00pm
• Location: AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) in Bruce, in the Frank Stewart Training Facility (STF); look for the “Gold Room”. Ample free parking is available; ACTION buses have service to the AIS
• Free information & practice booklets are available from Judy (freuds@bigpond.net.au) from approximately mid-August
• Register: online at www.collegeboard.com
• Registration Deadline: approximately 6 weeks prior to each test date. Note that stand-by testing (with no advance registration) is also available; an extra fee of about US$37 applies.
• Approximate Cost: US$68 (check website for exact amount)
• Payment options: check website, but by credit card is always preferable
• For more information on the test: www.collegeboard.com
• For information on online test preparation materials, contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au
• For more information on testing and/or studying in the U.S., contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au

CLEP

• CLEP stands for "College-Level Examination Program"
• CLEP tests give you the opportunity to receive college/university credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 34 examinations. Earn credit for the knowledge you've acquired through independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits, or internships.
• CLEP tests are computer-based.
• Testing dates and times are negotiable with the test supervisor (contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au) No registration deadline applies.
• Tests take place at the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section in the National Press Club Building, 16 National Circuit, Barton.
• Cost: US$70 per test (payable by credit card or US dollar cheque), plus AUS$25 test administration fee per test payable at test. Both payments are made at the time of testing.
• Allow 2 hours for each CLEP test
• For more information on CLEP tests: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html
• For more information on CLEP tests, contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au

GRE

• GRE stands for Graduate Record Examinations
• The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
• GRE Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in 8 specific fields of study
• GRE tests are often required for application for admission to American graduate programs
• Computer-based GRE tests can be taken year-round in Sydney and Melbourne
• Paper-based GRE tests can be taken in Canberra on the international testing dates. Contact Ralph Collier, ETS Test Administration Services, at rcollier@ets.org for more information on this option.
• For information on GRE exams: www.gre.org
• For information on online test materials, contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au
• For more information on graduate studies in the USA, contact Judy at freuds@bigpond.net.au

EducationUSA Advising Center in Canberra

Street Address

U.S. Public Affairs Section
National Press Club
16 National Circuit
Barton, ACT 2606

Postal Address

U.S. Educational Advising
c/o Public Affairs Section
American Embassy
Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600

Telephone

(02) 6214-5874 (then press 7)

Email

freuds@bigpond.net.au

Last update: Monday, 27 October 2008 GMT+1000