Testing
STANDARDIZED TESTING SUMMARY
Below is a chart of the standardized tests which Westmont High School students take, as well as a summary of each test. For more information on these tests, view our links to the right.
|
Freshmen |
Sophomores |
Juniors |
Seniors |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PSAT/NMSQT (optional) |
SAT PSAT/NMSQT (optional) |
SAT (optional) |
|
| PSAT 8/9 | PSAT 10 |
SAT ACT (recommended) |
SAT/ACT (optional) |
|
AP (optional) |
AP (optional) |
AP (optional) |
AP (optional) |
State-Mandated Assessments
SAT
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 Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is a measure of the critical thinking skills needed for academic success in college. Students will be required to take the SAT exam in the April of their junior year. This exam will also serve as an entrance exam for many colleges and universities.
Students will score between 400-1600 on the new SAT exam, which was released in March 2016. 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 SAT exam, please contact the WHS Counseling Department or Laura Lopez, the WHS Teaching and Learning Coordinator.
Recommended College Admission Assessment
ACT
The ACT is the American College Test. It is widely used as a college entrance exam, and it is required for most college applications. 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 optional writing portion measures skills in planning and writing a short essay. The writing portion of the ACT cannot be taken separately from the multiple choice portion. The writing test may or may not be required for admission, depending on the university. We recommend students take at least one ACT with the writing portion.
The ACT is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Juniors are advised to take the ACT in February, April or June.
Illinois State Scholars are selected on the basis of standardized test scores and grade point average at the end of junior year as reported by the high school. There is no application to compete for the State Scholar program and no monetary award is given.
Before students can register, they will need to create a free ACT account at www.actstudent.org. Once they create an account, they can register and print their admission tickets, view scores, send scores, and view other relevant information.
For more information about the ACT exam, please contact the WHS Counseling Department.
Additional Assessments
AP (available 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 exams do not factor into a student's grade at Westmont High School.
For more information about AP exams, please contact Rainy Kaplan and/or Daniel Finlayson, AP Test Coordinators.
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 firsthand 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 exam, please contact Meg Bloechl, WHS counselor.