Standardized Testing
ACT
AP
PSAT
SAT
Test Optional
NJSLA
WIDA
SAT
The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a standardized test used for college admission. Like the ACT, the SAT measures college aptitude. The SAT currently is the most popular college admissions test, though an increasing number of college-bound juniors and seniors are taking the ACT in lieu of, or in addition to, the SAT. HHS typically hosts the SAT three times per year. For more information, please see the links below:
PSAT
The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT® (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a practice version of the SAT exam. HHS students are awarded the opportunity to take the PSAT during October of their sophomore and junior year.
For more information about the test, please visit the College Board PSAT/NMSQT website. If you have taken the PSAT/NMSQT and want to check your scores, you may do so by signing into your College Board student account here. To understand your score, please consult the College Board scoring website.
ACT
The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test used for college admission. Like the SAT, the ACT purports to measure college aptitude. While more students tend to take the SAT, an increasing number of college-bound juniors and seniors are taking the ACT in lieu of, or in addition to, the SAT. For more information, please see the links below:
Test Optional
A test-optional college lets students decide whether they want to submit test scores with their application. Most test-optional schools will consider SAT and ACT scores if they are submitted, but focus on other factors they believe are stronger predictors of a student's potential to succeed in college.
Please note that many colleges, even if test optional, will still require SAT/ACT scores to award Merit Scholarship. Please check with you institution regarding their test optional policy! For a list of test optional schools please use the following link:
AP
AP Exams are standardized exams designed to measure how well you’ve mastered the content and skills of a specific AP course. Most AP courses have an end-of-year paper-and-pencil exam, but a few courses have different ways to assess what you’ve learned—for example, AP Computer Science students submit work for scoring.
NJSLA/NJGPA information forthcoming
New Jersey Student Learning Assessment English Language Arts and Mathematics(NJSLA-ELA/Math) Programs
The New Jersey Student Learning Assessments for English Language Arts and Mathematics (NJSLA-ELA/Math) measures the extent to which students are, or on track to being college or career ready in each of the two respective areas. The test in English Language Arts assesses student proficiency in reading and comprehending a range of grade appropriate material independently. It also provides a measure of how effectively a student writes when using and/or analyzing sources. The test in Mathematics measures student competencies in the major and additional/supporting content in mathematics for grade or course, as well as student grade-appropriate mathematical reasoning and modeling skills. Additional information for the assessments in the above areas can be found on the Office of Assessments website.
New Jersey Student Learning Assessment-Science (NJSLA-Science) Program
The New Jersey Student Learning Assessment for Science (NJSLA-Science) replaced the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) for Science and the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT). This new assessment measures student proficiency in science according to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. These standards require schools to teach students to use science and engineering practices, to make sense of phenomena, and to design solutions to problems. The NJSLA-Science uses the same familiar testing platform that NJSLA-ELA/Math uses.
Practice Tests: https://nj.mypearsonsupport.com/practice-tests/
NJ High School Graduation Assessment Requirements: https://www.state.nj.us/education/assessment/parents/GradReq.pdf
WIDA
The WIDA Screener and WIDA ACCESS for ELLs are the two online assessments designed to help students in the district who may be English Language Learners (ELLs). Specifically, the WIDA Screener is given to incoming students to determine if they qualify for ELS (English Language Support), and the WIDA ACCESS is given to ELLs currently enrolled in ELS to determine if they are able to place out. Typically, incoming students who do not speak English as their primary language are assessed with the WIDA Screener at the start of the school year, and those who qualify are then given the option to enroll in ELS. Students who have been in the ELS class are assessed with the WIDA ACCESS at the end of the first semester to determine placement for the next academic year. For more information, please see the links below.