Standardized Testing
PSAT
The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT® (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a practice version of the SAT exam. The PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes long and tests your skills in reading, writing, and math. You can only take the PSAT once per school year. During your junior year, you could qualify to receive a National Merit Scholarship based on your score.
October 17, 2023 PSAT Grade 11
October 16, 2023 PSAT Grade 10 and ALL accommodated students (grade 10 and 11)
An informational flyer was mailed home and is available in the School Counseling Office. Scores are now available on Naviance or the student’s CollegeBoard account.
For more information please see your school counselor and/or visit the links below:
SAT
The SAT is a globally recognized standardized test used by many colleges and universities for admission. The test is intended to measure a high school student’s preparedness for college. The SAT is a 3-3.5 hour exam (approximate), consisting of: Reading, Writing, Math (with calculator), and Math (no calculator).
The College Board administers the SAT seven times a year in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. Please visit collegeboard.org for testing dates and locations. The deadline to register for the SAT is typically about a month before the test date, so it's important you plan ahead. Early registration ensures you get the SAT date you want and the testing center that's most convenient for you.
As a participant of the SAT School Day program, DHHS administers the exam to all juniors on a designated weekday during the school year.
March 20, 2024 SAT School Day grade 11 A-K and all accommodated students
March 27, 2024 SAT School Day grade 11 L-Z
For more information about the SAT and SAT School Day, please see your school counselor and/or visit the links below:
Linking College Board AND Khan Academy
The College Board and Khan Academy have partnered to offer all students no-cost personalized practice towards their SAT® when students link their College Board and Khan Academy accounts.
Changes to the SAT beginning Spring 2024
Why is the test changing? The College Board is responding to student and teacher input.
- Shorter Test Time. The Digital SAT will be nearly an hour shorter than the current version.
- Shorter Reading Passages. Each passage will have only one question rather than many.
- Calculators for All Math Questions. A calculator is provided within the online test, so no more worries about whether your calculator is on the approved list, and one less item to bring to the test.
- Reference Sheet. A list of common formulas for math will be available online within the test.
- Shorter Score Reporting Time. Instead of weeks, scores can be accessed within days.
- Technology Equity. Students can use a personal device (laptop or tablet) or a device issued by their school or one provided by the College Board.
- More Secure Testing. Bubble answer sheets risk damage or loss during shipping. If one paper/pencil test is compromised, often those for the entire room are cancelled. The Digital SAT provides each student a different test form which significantly reduces cheating issues.
Current SAT
Three subjects:
- Reading, Writing & Language,
- Math (two sections)
- 3 hours and 15 minutes (with breaks)
- Paper/Pencil
- Not adaptive
Reading:
- Multiple-paragraph passages with 10-11 questions per passage
- Comprehension questions cover details, best-evidence, main ideas
Writing & Language:
- Multiple-paragraph passages with 10-11 questions per passage
- Covers grammar, some content analysis
Math:
- Two separate sections, one with a calculator brought by student (from allowed list), and one section without a calculator
Digital SAT (Spring 2024)
Two subjects:
- Reading & Writing (two modules),
- Math (two modules)
- 2 hours and 15 minutes (with breaks)
Digital via the College Board testing app Bluebook™ (paper/pencil only allowed for selected students with accommodations)
Multistage adaptive:
The first module of each subject includes a mix of easy, medium, and hard question; if you answer many correctly, you will receive tougher questions in the second module
Reading & Writing:
- A single paragraph (3-4 sentences) for a single question
- Brand-new question types include:
- Vocabulary in Context
- Logical Completion of Text
- Summary of Notes
- Identification of Claim Support
Reading & Writing:
- A single paragraph (3-4 sentences) for a single question
- Covers grammar with a high focus on commas, semicolons, and transition words
Math:
- Calculator allowed for all questions and provided within the test
ACT
The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test used for college admissions in the US. The test covers four academic skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. The ACT is administered seven times a year: February, April, June, July, August, September, and October. The duration of the ACT exam is approximately 3 hours.
For more information about ACT, please see your school counselor and/or visit the links below: