SAT SUITE OF ASSESSMENTS
District 303 administers the SAT Suite of Assessments to assess the academic progress of its students. The results of these assessments are used to provide students with course placement, academic advisement and monitor the effectiveness of the District’s academic programs
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT/NMSQT is designed to be a practice for the SAT test. The test taken during the junior year is used in entering the National Merit Scholarship Corporation competition for scholarships and recognition. The test is given in October.
ACT SUITE OF ASSESSMENTS
The ACT suite of assessments encompasses a range of standardized tests designed to evaluate college readiness among high school students. It includes the ACT, which measures skills in English, math, reading, and science, along with an optional writing test. The PreACT serves as a practice assessment for younger students, helping them identify strengths and areas for improvement before taking the ACT. Together, these assessments provide valuable insights for educators and students, guiding academic planning and enhancing preparation for post-secondary success.
PreACT 9
The PreACT 9 is a practice assessment designed for ninth-grade students to gauge their readiness for the ACT and identify academic strengths and areas for growth. This test measures skills in English, math, reading, and science, providing valuable feedback that can inform future coursework and preparation.
PreACT
The PreACT is a practice assessment designed for students in grades 10 and 11, providing an early indication of their readiness for the ACT. It evaluates skills in English, math, reading, and science, helping students identify their strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, the PreACT offers valuable insights into potential ACT scores, guiding students in their preparation for college admissions.
ACT
In the spring, all public school students enrolled in grade 11 will take the ACT unless they take an alternate assessment. The ACT is a standardized college admissions test that evaluates high school students' skills in English, math, reading, and science, with an optional writing section. It serves as a key tool for colleges to assess applicants' readiness for higher education and helps students identify areas for academic improvement.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS
Students should carefully check the college websites of the schools they want to attend to determine if the ACT or SAT are required for admission. Students should also check with colleges to determine if they require the written portion of the test(s). These nationally administered tests are offered multiple times throughout the year at various testing sites listed on the ACT website: www.ACTstudent.org and SAT College Board website: www.collegeboard.org.
SAT
The SAT is a college admission test consisting of tests in math, reading, writing and language. The SAT: Subject Tests consist of one-hour tests measuring a student’s knowledge in a particular subject. A maximum of three SAT: Subject Tests can be taken during the testing period on any one day. Students should check college websites to determine if the SAT: Subject Tests are required for the colleges to which they are applying.
ACT
The ACT is a graduation requirement in Illinois and a college admission test. The ACT measures the knowledge, understanding and skills that a student has acquired in the areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. The ACT also has an optional writing test that students may register to take. It is recommended that the ACT be taken in the spring or summer of a student’s junior year.
The AP (Advanced Placement) examinations are given each year in May. All students who are enrolled in AP classes are required to take the AP Exam for that course. Students who have advanced preparation and understanding of a particular field of study can receive college credit and/or advanced standing for work done while in high school. Most of the students who take these exams are enrolled in formal AP courses; however, students may take an AP exam without taking an AP course. While these three-hour or more exams vary from discipline to discipline, most involve both multiple-choice sections and free-response, essay sections. The test is scored 1 to 5, with 5 the highest score. Colleges treat the examinations differently; however, many will grant college credit for scores from 3 to 5. In reviewing student applications, colleges look favorably upon courses designated as AP since these courses represent more rigorous content than the standard high school curriculum. Please refer to the College Board website for further information.www.collegeboard.com/parents.