Who is Testing?

This test is provided to every 10th grader free of charge. The assessment provides our students with their first opportunity to interface with a nationally normed exam that is intended to give them baseline of not only academic performance but real-time experience with complex exam questioning under strict time constraints, which will help them to better prepare and adjust for their Junior year where they will face the higher stakes exam of the ACT, which will satisfy potential college entry requirements, as well as meet Arizona's State Mandated exam.

In addition, the exam will provide the school with crucial academic information that can help us identify your student's potential academic needs, be that for intervention or newly identified as a student who would benefit from Advance Placement (AP) courses in the future. 

Juniors may also take advantage of this testing date in order to meet the qualifications required to be considered a National Merit Scholar. Juniors choosing to take the exam a second time will need to pay the $25 exam fee and ensure their name is on the list to take the exam. This can be verified by their counselor. 

If my student is not testing, when does school start?

Students who are not testing will follow the late start schedule. Please see the schedule posted below. 

What if my student takes the bus?

No matter if your student is taking the exam or does not need to arrive until later in the day, GPS Transportation will be there for you. 

If your student is a tester, they will need to arrive at their bus stop at the normal morning timeframe.

If your student is NOT a tester, they will need to arrive at their bus stop exactly 4 hours later. For example, if their normal pick-up time is at 6:30 am, their late start pick-up time will be 10:30 am.