Assessments

State-Mandated Assessments for Grades 9-12

Alabama Financial Literacy Exam - 9th or 10th Grade

Beginning with the Class of 2028 and the following cohorts, all students are required to successfully pass a Financial Literacy Assessment as a legislative requirement for graduation.  This assessment will be included in the Career Preparedness class.  The Financial Literacy Examination consists of fifty (50) multiple-choice questions that assesses each of the required instructional topics. To earn a passing score on the Financial Literacy Examination, students must answer a minimum of thirty (30) items correctly; however, a passing score is NOT required for graduation.

PreACT - 10th Grade

The preACT will be administered to all sophomores, free of charge, on a regular school day during school hours as part of the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP).  The preACT is designed to give students feedback on academic performance as they prepare to take the ACT test during their junior year.  Academic counselors will review preACT results with students and help them set goals for meeting/exceeding benchmark scores on the ACT test. 

ACT plus Writing - 11th Grade                                      

The ACT will be administered to all juniors, free of charge, on a regular school day during school hours in the spring as a state-mandated component of the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP). Additionally, the ACT is offered nationally six times during the school year as an option for juniors and seniors who plan to enter college. Although there is no registration/payment process for the state-mandated test administration during the regular school day for 11th-grade students, pre-registration and payment are required for optional national test administration days. Registration information for the optional national test dates is available at www.actstudent.org.

ACT WorkKeys - 12th Grade

ACT WorkKeys is a state-mandated job skills assessment system that measures the real-world universal skills that are essential for any type of career. WorkKeys connects work skills, training, and skill testing for educators and employers.  The ACT WorkKeys will be administered to all seniors who have not met another College and Career Readiness Indicator as a component of the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP).

Alabama Civics Test - 12th Grade

As a legislative requirement (Alabama SB32) and beginning in the 2018-19 school year as a requirement for graduation, all students are required to “successfully pass a civics test as a required component for completing the government course required in the high school course of study.”  During his/her 12th grade year, a student must earn a passing score (60/100) on the Civics test which will be offered four times a year.  For more information, please see your government or economics teacher.

Other Required Assessments for Grades 9-12

Horizon Education Assessments- 9th

During the 2022-23 school year, Hoover City Schools purchased Horizon Education College Readiness Benchmark Assessments to assist students and teachers in preparing for the ACT with Writing that students will take in the 11th grade. Ninth students will take Horizon benchmark assessments at the beginning and end of each school year to measure and analyze growth over time. 

Mock ACT Assessments- 10th & 11th 

Hoover High School contracts with Cantrell & Waller to provide mock ACT assessments for 10th and 11th grade students. The data from the tests are shared with students and teachers and specific plans are provided for students to improve their individual performance on the ACT. Teachers are provided with bellringers and information to share in class with students. 

Optional Assessments

ASVAB- 11/12th Grades                                             

The ASVAB is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world.  It assesses a student’s ability to learn new skills and is a predictor of success in training and education programs.  The ASVAB Career Exploration Program offers more than just a test.  It includes an interest inventory and other activities and resources designed to help students explore the world of work and gain confidence in making career decisions.  ASVAB results are not shared with military recruiters.  For more information or practice tests, go to www.asvabprogram.com. See a grade level counselor for more information.

PSAT / NMSQT- 10/11th Grades                           

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities important to doing college work. The PSAT/NMSQT gives students the unique opportunity to assess their verbal and mathematical skills, forecast SAT scores, discover whether they would be successful in Advanced Placement courses, participate in the Student Search Service, and qualify for scholarship and enrichment programs (Merit Scholarships, Achievement Scholarships, and National Hispanic Scholar Awards). This optional exam must be taken in the student’s junior year to qualify for the awards. Since this is an optional exam, a fee is required in order for a student to participate in this assessment.  Sophomores are also encouraged to participate in this exam as practice. See a grade level counselor for more information.

SAT-11/12th Grade 

The Scholastic Aptitude Test is an option for high school juniors and seniors who plan to enter college.  These tests are usually administered in October, January, April, May, and June. Pre-registration and payment are required, and information may be obtained from the Counseling Office or http://sat.collegeboard.org/register. See a grade level counselor for more information.