Standardized Testing

High school students have the opportunity to participate in a range of standardized tests. The results of these tests provide students, parents, school personnel, and other organizations (e.g., colleges, Illinois State Board of Education) important information about individual student achievement.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

ILLINOIS SCIENCE ASSESSMENT

In compliance with federal testing requirements, Illinois will administer a science assessment to students enrolled in a public school district in grades 5, 8 and once at the high school level. The high school assessment utilizes a course-based model with content aligned to Biology I. The assessment will be administered in an online format and is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), adopted in 2014.

SAT

The College Board’s SAT is administered as the state assessment in Illinois high schools. All public school students enrolled in grade 11 will take the SAT with essay unless they take an alternate assessment.

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 8/9

The PSAT 8/9 helps students and teachers prioritize learning goals so students are prepared for college (when they graduate from high school). It tests the same skills and knowledge as the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT. The PSAT 8/9 establishes a baseline measurement of college and career readiness as students enter high school. It also gives students a chance to preview the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT, and connect to AP courses.

PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT/NMSQT is designed to be practice for the SAT test. The PSAT taken in October of junior year is the only opportunity to qualify for the National Merit Competition for the school & recognition.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS

Students should carefully check the websites of colleges they want to attend to determine whether ACT or SAT is 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 College Board website: www.collegeboard.org.

SAT

The SAT is a state graduation requirement and accountability test. Additionally, 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 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.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS

AP (Advanced Placement) examinations are given each year in May. All D303 students who are enrolled in an AP class 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 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.