Testing and Study Resources

The PSAT 8/9 and the PSAT 10 are state-required preliminary SAT exams for freshmen (the 8/9) and sophomores (10) that are given to students in the fall at school. They are an assessment of verbal, math, and writing skills with an emphasis on reasoning and logic skills. Scholarship programs use the PSAT 10 exams to find students. Here's info on understanding your PSAT 8/9 scores, and this page explains how your PSAT 10 score reports should be viewed as roadmaps to point you in the direction of what you need to work on to get ready for the SAT, and what you're already doing well. 

Those who take the PSAT as a junior might qualify for academic recognition because it serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). Top performing juniors nationally may be eligible for money through National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic Scholarship funds.

• The ACT is the state-required exam that all students take during their junior year and is one tool that is used to measure a student’s knowledge and skills in language arts, reading, science, and mathematics - subjects that are taught every day in high school classes.
  This assessment is a requirement to graduate in the state of Illinois. Taking the ACT or SAT separately on a Saturday does not fulfill the state graduation requirements; it must be taken on a school day to meet the state requirement.
  While students are required to take the ACT during their junior year, they can elect to take it a second time in the fall of their senior year on a Saturday before the college application deadlines.

• The ACT exam tests knowledge in these areas:

• In the English section, students are measured on their ability to make decisions to revise and edit short texts and essays in different genres.
• In the math section, students demonstrate their knowledge of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra skills typically acquired in courses up to the beginning of 12th grade.
• In the reading section, students demonstrate their ability to read closely, reason logically about texts using evidence, and integrate information from multiple resources.
• In the science section, students will utilize interpretation, analyzation, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills required in biology, chemistry, earth/space sciences and physics.
• In the writing section, students utilize their writing skills taught in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.