Testing Information
District Assessment Plan
The District’s Assessment Plan is expected to positively impact both individual students and the District’s overall educational program. The District Assessment Plan covers assessment philosophy, planned coordination, test security, test-taking instruction, the testing calendar, accommodation guidelines and a breakdown of assessments.
Advanced Placement (AP®) Exams
At PHS we offer several AP® courses. Upon completing and AP® course, students may take the AP® Exam for that course (usually sometime in the first two weeks of May). Depending on the score received, the student may earn college credit. Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch also qualify for reduced AP® exam prices.
Counselor Brooke Michel oversees AP testing at PHS.
End of Course Exams
Students take required End of Course Exams in select courses throughout their high school career.
Essentially, the final exam in certain courses will include a standardized component that is common across the state. Results from this test will be used by the state to determine student proficiency in the various subject areas.
Like any final exam, students will receive a grade and it will affect their final grade in the course. Passing each individual exam, however, is not a state requirement for graduation. Class credit will still be based on the overall grade earned in the course.
End of Course exams for full year courses (1 credit) will be taken at the end of second semester only.
SENIOR ASSESSMENT
All Pattonville High School seniors will be required to complete a College and Career assessment prior to graduating. Those assessments are: ACT, ACT Work Keys, SAT, ASVAB or ACCUPLACER.
Pattonville will host an ACT during the school day that will be available to all seniors in October 2023 and a ACT test day that will be available to all juniors in April 2024. Studnets will receive information regarding these test date on via school email.
ACT
The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT Plus Writing also includes a 30-minute writing assessment and is required by some colleges for admission.
Registration for Saturday ACT dates can be completed online at www.actstudent.org
Students can find additional ACT info including test prep by logging onto Naviance Student.
ASVAB
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration program is a comprehensive career planning program that includes a multiple aptitude test battery, an interest inventory and various career planning tools designed to help students explore career opportunities. This test is administered by a representative from the military, however, there is no obligation to enlist after taking the ASVAB. The test is offered at no cost to our students.
The ASVAB helps students to:
Identify, understand and organize information about student’s skills, interests and work related values
Identify suitable occupations to investigate and pursue based on student’s skills, interests and values
Use career information resources to further explore occupations
***Prepare for the ASVAB by creating a FREE account on https://www.march2success.com to access practice tests and study skills.
ASVAB testing: TBD
If you have questions about the ASVAB please visit www.asvabprogram.com/ or contact Mrs. Luraschi, College & Career Preparation Coordinator/Counselor, mluraschi@psdr3.org or 314-213-8051 ext. 8067).
PSAT/NMSQT
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying) TEST
All college bound juniors are encouraged to complete this optional assessment and some space is available for sophomores who would like additional practice taking the SAT test. The PSAT test measures critical reading, mathematical problem-solving, and writing skills and is considered a practice test for the SAT which is a college entrance exam required by many colleges. The PSAT score is also used by the College Board to qualify juniors to become National Merit Semi-Finalists and Finalists. To learn more about the National Merit Scholarship program click HERE
Registration for the PSAT here.
FREE TEST PREP
Practice test questions for the PSAT can be found at www.collegeboard.org. You do not need an account to use the free Test Prep.
ACT WORK KEYS
ACT WorkKeys consists of three assessments: Workplace Documents, Applied Math, and Graphic Literacy. These assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace, and help measure the workplace skills that can affect job performance. WorkKeys assessments are:
Relevant—WorkKeys® assessments are developed to solve actual workplace problems. Unlike other assessments, they don’t simply give an indication of reading and writing competency. Instead, they measure a range of hard and soft skills relevant to any occupation, at any level, and across industries.
Recognized—Successful completion of WorkKeys core assessments can lead to earning an ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT WorkKeys NCRC®)—a credential that verifies the skills found to be most essential across industries and occupations. Tens of thousands of employers recognize the value of the NCRC, and many recommend the credential to candidates.
Website: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/workkeys-for-employers/assessments.html
Preparation Link: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/workkeys-for-employers/assessments/preparation.html
Offered at least once each semester. Contact Mr. Grimshaw at 314-213-8051 for more information or to sign up for the test.