Below are standardized tests that are used for post-secondary planning. Click on the links for more details about each test. 

ACT (College-bound High School Students)- This is the most widely given test to our students. Juniors have the opportunity to take this test for free 1 time during the year. The date for the Class of 2026 has not yet been determined. The ACT is an college entrance exam. Colleges use this for admission and scholarships so its beneficial for college bound students to take this test multiple times to achieve their best score. 

Who should take the ACT? Collegebound juniors and seniors, A+ students, and any sophomore who is in advanced math

SAT (College-bound High School Students)-  The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other. The ACT is much more popular in the Midwest compared to the SAT. This is largely because many states in the area require each student to take the ACT as part of statewide assessments. 

Who should take the SAT? Highest achieving collegebound juniors and seniors who may be applying to highly selective colleges and universities

PSAT/NMSQT (High Achieving Juniors and Sophomores)- The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT® ) is a part of the SAT® Suite of Assessments and is typically taken by students in grades 10 and 11. Structured similarly to the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT measures the same knowledge and skills students need to succeed in college and career. It can also qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship program and other scholarships. The test at Windsor High School will be on October 22, 2024. Registration will be sent out in early September. The cost per student is $18. An email will be sent out with the registration information around this time. 

ASVAB- The ASVAB test measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program includes a validated aptitude test and interest assessment. The results are used to guide career exploration using our career planning tools. The ASVAB will be given optionally to students who sign up. This is a free test and will be administered at Windsor High School on November 25, 2024. 

Who should take the ASVAB? Any junior or senior who may be interested in the military or students who would like to discover their skills and interest. 

Accuplacer (Identified Seniors)- The Accuplacer helps colleges and workforce training provides gauge student readiness for required coursework and identify areas where students may need additional support to succeed. 

Who should take the Accuplacer? Selected Seniors will be notified by either the community college or high school staff if they need to take the Accuplacer. 

***All Students must graduate with one tests: ACT, Accuplacer or ASVAB

ACT 

Students who are planning to attend college after graduation should take the ACT. 

These exams are used by colleges and universities during the admissions process. Most colleges will use a student's highest score in consideration for admission and scholarships. Some colleges might "SUPERSCORE" (use the highest score from each subject to create a new "superscore" composite). During the admissions process, the requirements for the exams as well as document submission deadlines will vary for each institution. For example, some colleges might require the ACT or SAT with writing yet a highly selective college might also recommend or require SAT Subject Tests.

** Students need to be aware of application deadlines and if scores need to be sent directly from the testing agency or if they will be accepted with the high school transcript. 

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ACT Registration

Register for the ACT- www.act.orgSchool Code- 261506

Test Center Code-187850

Special Instructions for Registering for the ACT

View this brief video for important INSTRUCTIONS on how to register for the ACT and create your MyACT web account.

Need help with your ACT account? Contact ACT Student Services at (319) 337-1270.

Additional information on getting started with your MyACT account can be found here: https://success.act.org/s/article/Getting-Started-with-MyACT

How do I Get my ACT Results? 

If you have already taken a national ACT exam that you registered for through your MyACT account (not the state test taken during Junior year), log into your account on act.org. If you took a national ACT prior to your Junior state exam, you may need to merge both accounts to see all of your exam scores. Contact ACT Student Services at (319) 337-1270.

Test Fee Waivers

Students who qualify for the supplemental nutrition program (SNAP/Free reduced-price lunch) are eligible for two ACT fee waivers and two SAT fee waivers during high school. If eligible, students may obtain a fee waiver by:

1. Stopping by the Counseling Office School to obtain a paper fee waiver, 

2. Email Mrs. Reed or your counselor for the waiver code. 

ACT Information

Windsor is a national testing center for the ACT for the months of September, December, April and June.

Free Test Prep Opportunities

Khan Academy (SAT)

Varsity Tutors

Method Learning

Learning Library Express

March2Success

Kaplan (ACT)