PSG - Graduation Requirements

List of 7 items.

• Advanced Placement

  Advanced Placement and University Entrance
  
  “AP” denotes an Advanced Placement course, offered under the direction of the College Board in the USA. 
  
  These courses allow students to pursue university-level studies while they are still in high school.  Based upon their performance on rigorous AP examinations conducted each May, students may earn university credit or advanced placement or both.  Students can write such exams at a cost of $153 - 203 per exam. Universities that evaluate the level of rigor in a student’s timetable as part of the admission process will look favorably on AP enrollment and successful results. Students will not support their applications to foreign universities by taking AP courses and scoring under 80% in the course or below a 4 on the exam. While it may seem intuitive, do not assume that more AP courses looks better than less or that taking AP courses at younger grades makes a student look like a prodigy; that is usually not the case.  Most AP courses are restricted to grades 11 or 12. More universities now will only consider AP courses that are taken from grade 10 onwards and furthermore, universities want students to take the course at their own school if it is offered.
  
  

  For more information on AP courses please see the AP Section

• English Language Requirement

  English Language Requirements 

  
  

  Most BC post-secondary institutions require a student’s proficiency in English, and this is determined by their final English course mark.  For specific information on these requirements, please refer to the post-secondary institution’s site.  UBC requires a minimum of 70% in Grade 11 or Grade 12 English, UVIC requires a minimum of 67% in English 12 and SFU requires a minimum of 70% in English 12.  These percentages often change so it is advisable to check the university websites for current information. Note that some university programs also have their own minimum English marks – example Queen’s Commerce requires 80%.

• PSAT

  Students considering applying to the USA normally write the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) in anticipation of taking the SAT. The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT and available to Grades 10 & 11 students each fall at WPGA.  The PSAT has separate sections dealing with mathematical reasoning skills, verbal reasoning, and written language skills.  Results from the PSAT provide a detailed analysis of a broad range of student abilities. The PSAT is written in mid-October and detailed results are returned to students in December.  It is a test-taking exercise and self-assessment tool; students are not evaluated by WPGA on their results. Registration for the PSAT occurs in early September.

• SAT and ACT

  The SAT is a digital exam administered by the College Board in New Jersey. It is usually written by Grade 11 and 12 students and is used by United States universities in admissions decisions.  In most cases, the last sitting of the SAT for which the results are available in time for Fall admissions is in October or November of the Grade 12 year.  Registration for the SAT is approximately six weeks prior to the test.  Many USA universities have become test-optional, meaning students can choose to write the test or not, and if they do, they can choose to submit their scores, or not. Students are encouraged to check US institutions to see if they require an SAT score.  Registration for the SAT and requesting that the score is sent to the university, is the responsibility of the student.

  
  

  The ACT is an alternative American college admission assessment. It is typically accepted by the same institutions that accept the SAT, though this should be verified with your university counsellor. The format and content is different from the SAT. Students should consult with their university counsellor if they are considering taking this test. Registration and score-sending for the ACT is the responsibility of the student.

  
  
  

• UCAT or BMAT

  The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or the Bio-Medical Aptitude Test (BMAT), are admissions tests used by UK universities Medical and Dental Schools. The test helps universities to make more informed choices from amongst many highly qualified applicants. It is used in collaboration with other admission processes such as the UCAS application and students’ academic qualifications. This test must be taken by early October of the Grade 12 year, or earlier.  Registration for this test is the responsibility of the student. If you have questions about this test, please talk to your WPGA university counsellor.

• UCAS

  The University and College Application Service is the UK’s main application processing service.  WPGA is a UCAS center, so when applying you will need to work with your WPGA university counsellor to complete the application. Please do not work with outside agents/consultants on setting up your UCAS account. While UCAS will process student applications, all decisions are made by individual universities.  UCAS will allow students to apply to 5 universities and offers made by any of the 5 cannot expire until all 5 have made offers (or declined). This means that students applying to the UK will not have to accept one university while they are waiting to hear from a more favoured choice. If a student wants to apply to either Oxford or Cambridge, they may only apply to one, not both. Details on all higher education programs in the UK can be found at www.ucas.com. The WPGA university counsellors are fully trained in UK university admissions and using the UCAS system. If you haven’t done so, let them know you will be applying to UK universities.

• Special note on International Universities

  Students planning to go to international universities should be well aware of testing requirements and application deadlines BEFORE the beginning of their Grade 12 year, ideally as early as grade 10, as applications are complex, lengthy and are often due in the Fall, some as early as October.  The most prestigious universities will require interviews in addition to an extensive application package.  Information sessions for parents and application bootcamps for students are provided by the University and Career Counselling Office in the Spring and should be attended by any US or International applicant.  Students need to be aware of specific qualifications that may be required for international institutions.