Pre-Coll. EXAM is a term used to refer to the two standardized tests that are taken by high school students in the United States: the SAT and the PSAT. The SAT, which stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a 3-letter acronym and the PSAT, which stands for Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a 4-letter acronym. Both tests are used to assess a student's academic readiness for college and are typically taken during the junior or senior year of high school.