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Testing Information

All Things ARS Testing

Testing Information

ARS 2020-2021 Testing Information

Pre-ACT 10th graders ONLY

Pre-ACT is a multiple-choice assessment that offers 10th graders early experience with ACT test items, provides a predicted ACT test score, and offers a wealth of information to help students get the start they need to be college ready.

For more information concerning the Pre-ACT click on the link below:

http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/state-and-district-solutions/alabama/preact.html

PSAT 10th and 11th graders ONLY   optional test - $17 cost to the student

-The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT® (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a practice version of the SAT exam. You can only take the PSAT once per year. If you earn a high score on the PSAT your junior year, you could qualify to receive a National Merit Scholarship—$180 million dollars in merit scholarships are awarded to students each year. The PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes long and tests your skills in reading, writing, and math. Unlike the SAT, the highest score possible on the PSAT is 1520.

-January 26, 2021

For more information concerning the Pre-ACT click on the link below:

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/inside-the-test 

ACT WorkKeys and Civics 12th graders ONLY Mandatory

-Individuals who successfully complete the three WorkKeys assessments—Applied MathGraphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents—earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (WorkKeysNCRC®), a valuable credential for students and job seekers seeking to verify foundational workplace skills. ACT WorkKeys also offers additional assessments to measure interests, values, and behaviors that can lead to greater job satisfaction.

-The assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace, and help measure the workplace skills that can affect job performance.

-Each assessment offers varying levels of difficulty. The levels build on each other, incorporating the skills assessed at the previous levels. For example, at Level 5, individuals need the skills from Levels 3, 4, and 5. The complexity increases as the quantity and/or density of the information increases.

-For more information concerning the ACT WorkKeys:

https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/workkeys-for-employers/assessments.html

ACT w/ Writing 11th grade ONLY Mandatory

-The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper or online test administered by ACT, Inc. 

-The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. 

-Overall, the higher you score on the ACT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

For more information concerning the ACT w/ Writing:

https://www.alsde.edu/sec/sa/Pages/assessmentdetails.aspx?AssessmentName=ACT+with+Writing&navtext=ACT+with+Writing

Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) 2nd 8th graders ONLY Mandatory

-ACAP is a comprehensive test to gauge the student’s knowledge level in English Language Arts, math, and science. The assessment is given to see if students in grades 2nd – 8th have mastered the standards for that particular grade level.