PreACT Secure

Who takes this test? 

 All 9th and 10th grade students

When and where do they test? 

Spring 2024

Tuesday - April 2nd (9th grade testing)

Wednesday - April 3rd (10th grade testing) 

Testing room to be assigned at a later date.

What is it?

PreACT Secure assesses students in the subjects of English, reading, writing, math, and science. It also tells us which important skills, abilities, and knowledge your student has now, and which ones still need to be learned in order to be successful in school in the future. PreACT will help your child’s teacher understand where your child is succeeding, as well as where extra help or academic focus is needed. PreACT will also provide specific suggestions for improving skills. It has taken the place of the ACT Aspire given in previous years.

What should my child bring to the test?   

PreACT is taken online, so no pencils or calculators are necessary. Students use their school-issued chromebook for testing.  

More information HERE

ACT 

Who takes this test? 

All 11th grade students

When and where do they test? 

March 12, 2024. Students will be assigned to a specific testing location by homeroom. 

What is it?

The ACT® test is a curriculum-based examination that matches well with the education standards in your state. Taking the ACT can provide helpful information for all students, not just those who are planning to attend college. 

Taking the ACT can give every students a measure of his or her academic strengths and weaknesses. You can use your results to recognize your academic strengths and areas where you need to improve ,whether you intend to go to college or enter the workplace after high school.

If you are not considering college now, you may decided to make college part of your plans later. Your ACT results can help you begin the career exploration and planning process. It is likely that nearly everyone who graduates from high school will eventually have to continue their education to achieve their career or life goals. 

The ACT includes multiple-choice test in English, mathematics , reading and science. You will also take a writing test. 

What should my child bring to the test?   

ACT you will need to bring pencils and a calculator is necessary. Your child should prepare by being fully rested and eating a proper breakfast or lunch before testing.

Can I exempt my child from ACT? 

Yes, but it is discouraged. ACT will give us important information that will allow us to determine how your child is progressing at their current grade level, as well as along their overall path toward future college and career readiness. If you wish to exempt your child from this test, please notify the appropriate school counselor. 

How can students study for the ACT?

There are many outlets that can help you study and prepare the ACT. There is Knowledge Edge in Mequon, Mini-Courses at UWM and classes offered through the Shorewood Rec Dept. 

PSAT

• Who takes this test? 

Any interested 11th grade students

• When and where do they test? 

A set date every October - Students will test in the Arena. 

• What is it? 

The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Examination (PSAT/NMSQT) is    given once per year. The test is divided into three primarily multiple choice sections that measure critical reading, mathematical, and writing abilities that are important in college. The critical reading section includes sentence completions and reading passages. The writing section presents sentences and paragraphs that contain the kinds of errors that students must look for and learn to correct in their own writing. Juniors who are interested in taking the PSAT will complete a registration form and submit a $17 fee to the Student Support Office. Only a few students will qualify for the National Merit Competition, but practice in taking a college entrance exam is valuable as students begin to prepare for official exams this Spring. Students can access national ACT and SAT test dates at www.collegeboard.com (SAT), and/or www.actstudent.org (ACT).

• What should my child bring to the test? 

The PSAT is now an online assessment. Registered students are required to use their school-issued chromebook for testing. The calculator policy can be found here.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Who takes this test?

Any Shorewood High School student enrolled in an AP class offered at our high school, who wishes to earn college credit by obtaining a score of 3, 4, or 5* on their AP test(s). 

*Amount of credit given is based on score and varies by university or college. Contact the admissions office of the school(s) your child is planning on attending to learn more about their AP standards.

When and where do they test? 

The AP schedule is determined nationally each year, typically the first two weeks in May.  Most AP tests are given in rooms 209/210 in the PE Building or the Arena, aside from art portfolio turn-in, which takes place in the art rooms. Students and parents/guardians will be emailed information about rooms in the spring, as this is subject to change based on the number of students testing.

How much does an AP test cost?

AP tests are $98 per exam. Fee waivers are available for students who receive or qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch. 

How should my child prepare for testing?

Your child's AP teacher will be his or her best resource for gaining the tools they need to help prepare. Students should also visit www.apcentral.collegeboard.comfor helpful information regarding exam content and format.

Additional Information

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are rigorous, college level courses in a variety of subjects. Each course is developed by a committee composed of higher education faculty and expert AP teachers who ensure that the course reflects university level expectations. These committees define the scope and goals of the AP course, articulating what students should know and be able to do upon completing it. While the course goals are a significant source of information about the course content on which the AP Exams will be based, AP teachers have the flexibility to determine how this content is presented. If you want to read more about the AP program, check out this website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse

Currently, Shorewood High School offers the following AP courses: Studio Art, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, Statistics, Calculus A/B, Calculus B/C, Spanish Language, French Language, English, Music Theory, and Art History (courses may not be offered every year if student interest is low). If you are interested in signing up for AP course, please talk to your parents, teachers, and counselor to determine if you are ready for the challenge.

Taken each May by students all over the world, the AP Exam is the final step a student takes after a year of hard work in an AP class. These standardized exams are designed to measure how well a student has mastered the content and skills of the course — a successful score could even earn credit and advanced placement in college. 

You can find out if a particular college accepts AP credit at the following link: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement/search-credit-policies

• Most exams are two to three hours long. Be prepared to tackle a challenging exam with limited breaks. Eat a good breakfast and, if you are taking more than one exam on the same day, make sure you have lunch and snacks to keep you going.

• The first part of the exam usually consists of multiple-choice questions. You will choose one of four or five answer choices for each question and use a pencil to bubble in your choice on your AP answer sheet. Your total exam score on the multiple-choice section is based only on the number of questions answered correctly. You won’t receive or lose points for incorrect answers or unanswered questions.

• The second part of the exam usually consists of free-response questions that require you to generate your own responses. Depending on the exam, your responses could be in the form of an essay, a solution to a problem, or a spoken response. In most cases, you’ll be writing your response in pen in the free-response exam booklet.