Testing
STANDARDIZED TESTING SUMMARY
Below is a chart of the standardized tests Westmont High School students take, as well as a summary of each test.
|
Freshmen |
Sophomores |
Juniors |
Seniors |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PSAT/NMSQT (optional) |
PSAT/NMSQT (optional) |
ACT/SAT (optional) |
|
|
PreACT 9 Secure |
PreACT Secure |
ACT SAT (optional) |
ACT/SAT (optional) |
|
AP (optional) |
AP (optional) |
AP (optional) |
AP (optional) |
State-Mandated Assessments
ACT, PreACT, PreACT 9 Secure
Public school districts in Illinois are required to assess students for the purpose of educational accountability as mandated by the United States Department of Education. The ACT is the American College Test. Students will be required to take the ACT exam in the April of their junior year. This exam will also serve as an entrance exam for some colleges and universities. It assesses high school students’ general education development and their ability to complete college-level work. The score range is 1-36. The multiple-choice test covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The writing portion measures skills in planning and writing a short essay.
The PreACT Secure and PreACT 9 Secure assessments are required for students to take in their sophomore and freshman years, respectively. These tests are also created by the ACT organization and can help prepare students for the culminating ACT exam in their junior year.
For more information about the ACT exam, please visit www.actstudent.org. Additional questions may also be directed to the WHS Counseling Department.
Additional College Admission Assessment
SAT
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is a measure of the critical thinking skills needed for academic success in college. Students will score between 400-1600 on the new SAT exam, which was released in March 2016. Since that time, the SAT was again revised in 2024 to an adaptive test, which measures students’ skills as they progress through the exam. Each of the assessments in the SAT Suite reports a total score that is the sum of two section scores: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. Scores for the SAT Essay are reported separately and are not part of a student's total SAT score. Scores on the SAT Essay of the redesigned SAT are reported separately and are divided into three dimensions: Reading, Analysis, and Writing. Each dimension is scored on a 2-8 point scale.
For more information about the optional SAT exam, please visit https://www.collegeboard.org/.
Additional Assessments: AP (for students in AP classes)
AP (Advanced Placement) tests are the culminating examinations related to AP courses. These exams are produced by the College Board, which also produces the SAT. AP exams are scored from 1-5. Students who score a 3, 4, or 5 on any given exam can typically receive college credit for that subject before even beginning courses at their chosen college or university. AP tests are administered in May; there is one test for each AP course. AP exam scores are not included on a student’s official high school transcript; it is up to the discretion of the student to report them to colleges and universities.
For more information about AP exams, please visit www.collegeboard.org. Additional questions may be directed to Brian Roach, WHS AP Test Coordinator.
Additional Assessment: PSAT/NMSQT (optional)
PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is an optional standardized test open to sophomores and juniors that provides first hand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. It also gives JUNIORS ONLY a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Contest. National Merit Scholarships are awarded to the top 1% of scorers nationally. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills.
For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT exam, please visit www.collegeboard.org. Additional questions may be directed to Megan Bloechl, WHS counselor.
Testing with Accommodations
Students with Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans may qualify for standardized testing accommodations through the ACT and/or College Board organizations. These accommodations are approved by these organizations and based on students’ documented educational plans.
For more information about testing with accommodations, please connect with your student’s special education case manager. Additional questions may be directed to Mary Kassir, WHS Assistant Principal and SSD Coordinator, or Michael Farthing WHS SSD Testing Liaison.