Testing

Required Tests

Students are required to complete a variety of standardized tests throughout 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. These measures are utilized to better understand students’ strengths, identify areas of improvement, and assess the adequate yearly progress for students in MSAD#15. The following College Board assessments are administered at GNGHS:

All 9th grade students: PSAT 8/9 Students are assessed in reading and math (course assessments in Algebra I and Geometry as applicable) during the fall. This assessment is aligned to the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT. It is the first test in the suite of College Board assessments and sets the readiness baseline. Academic progress checks are made at the end of each quarter.

All 10th and 11th grade students: PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT These assessments allow teachers to check-in on student academic progress and reflect what students are already learning in their classrooms. The assessments provide benchmarks for teachers to understand students’ academic progress and college and career readiness over time.

All 11th grade students: SAT Administration of this test is required by the Maine Department of Education in order to assess the adequate yearly progress of students attending public high schools in Maine. All third year high school students are required to take the school day SAT. In conjunction with SAT testing, 11th grade students will also complete a science augmentation test required by the state of Maine and administered during the spring of their junior year.

Optional Tests

AP® Exams are subject exams offered by the College Board in high schools across the country in early May. GNGHS administers AP exams in the AP courses offered at GNGHS. Interested students register for exams in March and may take any AP exam offered at GNGHS. Many colleges will award credit to students who earn a score of 3, 4, or 5 on an exam. The fee for each AP exam in 2016 is $92 and is subject to change in 2017. Fee waivers are available for eligible students. For more information and requirements for specific colleges, visit www.collegeboard.com.

International Baccalaureate: At the end of the two-year course, students enrolled in International Baccalaureate (IB) courses will have completed several assessments, culminating in an exam period in May of their Senior year. Students working towards the International Baccalaureate Diploma are required to take all of the exams associated with their courses. Students who choose to take individual IB classes are encouraged, but not required, to sit for the exams. Students earning 4,5,6 or 7 on exams may be eligible for academic credit or advanced standing in college. Please check with your prospective colleges for more information. For more information on the International Baccalaureate Program, please visit www.ibo.org.