Standardized Tests

CEEB School Code 153200

TestDatesCentral.com is where you'll find all the information you need to know about the major standardized tests which are only given on certain dates throughout the year.

ISTEP+ ECA

The purpose of the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress Plus (ISTEP+) program is to measure student achievement in the subject areas of English/Language Arts, Science, and Mathematics. In particular, ISTEP+ reports student achievement levels according to the Indiana Academic Standards that were adopted in November 2000 by the Indiana State Board of Education. The ISTEP+ End-of-Course Assessments (ECAs) are criterion-referenced assessments developed specifically for students completing their instruction in Algebra I, Biology I, or English 10. Please see your counselor for further detail regarding this test and its ramifications.

Standardized Test Preparation

Indiana Office of Student Assessment

Most colleges and universities and many scholarship programs require that students take a college admission exam, either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). The results of both the SAT and ACT are used for appropriate placement in college courses, screening for admission and for scholarship selection. Some colleges and scholarship programs will accept the results of either test; however, others specifically require the SAT or ACT. If in doubt about which test to take, check with your high school counselor and she will assist you in finding the answer.

It is recommended that students take the SAT or ACT in the spring of the junior year. However, taking the test earlier is beneficial for the following reasons:

  • Students receive the results early in the summer.

  • They may retake the test in the fall if they are not satisfied with the results.

  • Military academies, ROTC scholarships and some schools may have early application deadlines.

  • Early test results can assist students with their college search by allowing them to compare their scores to the average scores of students already enrolled in a particular college.

Students must register online to take these exams. The form may be mailed directly to the testing company or the student may apply online. The best preparation for the SAT or ACT is to enroll in college preparatory courses in high school. Both tests assess reading comprehension, vocabulary, reasoning skills and math skills. These skills are learned and developed through continued courses with challenging content. Students should read the information booklet provided free by SAT and ACT. These booklets are available in the counseling office.

In addition to an adequate academic preparation, college entrance exam courses, seminars, reference books and computer software may be of assistance to the student. Check with your counselor to see if SHS is offering a preparation course or to borrow study guides.


PSAT

The PSAT/National Merit Scholastic Qualifying Test is administered in October of the junior year. The exam is a scholarship competition for National Merit Scholarships and an early predictor of scores on the SAT for college admissions. The PSAT may help a junior:

  • Assess his/her ability to college work

  • Firm up college plans with parents

  • Predict his/her college entrance exam scores on the SAT

  • Become familiar with the testing format of the SAT

  • Enter the competition for the National Merit Scholarships

  • Participate in the College Board's student search service that provides information about college and scholarship opportunities

  • All sophomores will be given the PSAT in October as well

Understanding Your PSAT Results

 

PLAN

PLAN is an assessment by American College Testing (ACT). Sophomore students may take the PLAN in the fall semester. The PLAN is a practice ACT college admissions test and includes achievement test in English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. This test will help students prepare for the ACT exam, which is a college entrance exam. Included with PLAN is a career interest inventory. The results of the inventory direct students to Career Clusters that match their interest. When this information is coupled with the test achievement scores, students can start to see the connection between future careers and education needed to enter the careers. Results are usually given to students in early December.

Understanding Your PLAN Results


SAT, SAT Subject, ACT Exams

Some colleges and universities require achievement tests offered by the College Board. Before deciding which achievement tests to take, refer to a college catalog or consult a member of the admissions department. Find out if specific tests are required for your school or if you have a choice of tests. Achievement tests measure your knowledge of skills in a particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge. All SAT Subject achievement tests take one hour of testing time. These subject tests consist entirely of multiple-choice questions except the English composition Test with Essay, which consists of an essay and multiple-choice questions. SHS offers the SAT test in October and May and the ACT test in February. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch or are a 21st Century Scholar qualify for 2 SAT fee waivers and 2 ACT fee waivers that can be used during their junior and senior years. These fee waivers can be obtained from the Counseling Office. Students who qualify for special education services must request accommodations for SAT and ACT exams (see your school counselor for details). You can register online and get information for the SAT and SAT-Subject and for the ACT by clicking on the following links:

SAT or SAT-Subject Tests

ACT

SAT/ACT Test Results Comparison Chart

Information about the new SAT (beginning March 2016)

SAT/ACT Workshop presented at SHS on Thursday 8/18/16 (Handout from presentation)


Advanced Placement (AP) Testing

The Advanced Placement testing program is under the auspices of The College Board. AP classes follow a nationally recognized college curriculum. The textbooks and materials used in these classes are the same as many college textbooks and materials. The goal of each AP course is to prepare students for the AP exam in that subject in May. Here is the link for the AP exams schedule: AP Central


Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The ASVAB was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program was developed with input from a panel of career development experts and designed to encourage students to increase their level of self-knowledge and to understand how that information could be linked to civilian and military occupational characteristics.

The ASVAB Program recently was re-designed to be helpful to virtually all students, whether they are planning on immediate employment after high school in civilian or military occupations, or further education at a university, community college, or vocational institution. For more information, visit the official ASVAB website.


Accuplacer

The Accuplacer is a Computerized Placement Tool designed to provide placement and advising information for students entering college. Students may be required to meet minimum scores on this test in order to enroll in dual credit classes at SHS. For more information, visit the official Accuplacer website.


WorkKeys

ACT WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that helps employers select, hire, train, develop, and retain a high-performance workforce. This series of tests measures foundational and soft skills and offers specialized assessments to target institutional needs.

As part of ACT's Work Readiness System, ACT WorkKeys has helped millions of people in high schools, colleges, professional associations, businesses, and government agencies build their skills to increase global competitiveness and develop successful career pathways.

Successful completion of ACT WorkKeys assessments in Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading for Information can lead to earning ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), a portable credential earned by more than 1 million people across the United States.

Students working toward a Core 40 with Technical Honors Diploma may be required to take the WorkKeys exam and earn a level 6 in Reading for Information, a level 6 in Applied Mathematics, and a level 5 in Locating Information. This exam is offered by Blue River Career Center. Test dates will be scheduled during the spring of a student's senior year by their school counselor. For more information, visit the Official WorkKeys website.


Test Preparation Information

Various Tests
www.kaptest.com
www.petersons.com/college-search/test-prep-topics.aspx
Gale Testing & Education Reference Center 

Varsity Tutors

Preparing for College Entrance Tests

SAT/PSAT
www.collegeboard.com
Khan Academy

Ivy Tech Level Up Program
www.princetonreview.com/
www.number2.com/
www.march2success.com/index.cfm
www.eknowledge.com/IHSAA
Sylvan SAT Prep Class
www.uniontestprep.com/sat/
www.prepfactory.com/invite
PowerScore
Indiana Online Academy
Chegg Test Prep

ACT/PLAN
www.act.org
ACT Live Online Test Prep

Ivy Tech Level Up Program
www.princetonreview.com
www.number2.com
www.march2success.com/index.cfm
testprep.simpletuition.com
Sylvan ACT Prep Class
www.uniontestprep.com/act/
www.prepfactory.com/invite
PowerScore
Indiana Online Academy
Chegg Test Prep

Accuplacer
Test Prep Information
collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/preparation-sample.html
www.aims.edu/student/assessment/studyguides
www.Huntington.edu/math/accuplacer/index.htm
www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm
www.mccfl.edu/pages/1484.asp
www.yuba.cc.ca.us/District/students/testing/sentence skills.htm
Accuplacer Study App
Accuplacer Study App (Ivy Tech Version)
www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/AssessCtr/AccuplacerSamplePF.html
https://uniontestprep.com/accuplacer/

ASVAB
www.asvabprogram.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=overview.main
www.purplemath.com
www.studyguidezone.com
www.uniontestprep.com/asvab/