Date: Tuesday, April 4

Time: 8 AM - 12:30 PM (estimated end time)

Please fill out this google form if your student needs a lunch and bus transportation from school at 2:45 PM

• 9th Pre-ACT 8/9 
• 10th: Pre-ACT
• 11th: ACT

Location: SAVHS 

Cost:  FREE

Information Specifically for 11th graders

There will be a mandatory Pre-Administration session at school on Wednesday, March 29th during WIN A (9:30am) . The test on April 4th will take approximately 3.5 hours.  Students will start PROMPTLY at 8:00 am  and finish around 12:30 pm, and will have the option of eating lunch after the test.  All juniors will have the option of being dismissed from school for the remainder of the day.   

Information Specifically for 9th & 10th graders

9th graders will take the PreACT 8/9.  10th graders will take the PreACT.  Students will start promptly at 8 am and finish around 12:30 pm, and will have the option of eating lunch after the test.  All 9th and 10th graders will have the option of being dismissed from school at 12:30 pm.  There will be an asynchronous activity that all students will be expected to complete through the Xello platform connected to college and career readiness. Normal bus transportation will be provided at 2:45pm for students that decide to stay at school. 

General Information about the ACT 

They will only test on the 4 multiple choice sections; no writing. Students will be assigned a testing location ahead of time and they will need to report to that room no later than 8:00am.  It is essential that students arrive on time to school on that day.  The ACT is a very long test and we will need to start it on time.  Late arrivals will not be allowed to test.

There are many benefits to testing on this day rather than on a National test date.  First, it will be free to take.  If students choose to register to take the ACT on an additional national testing day, the cost is $66. Students will be able to test in their own school in a familiar environment with their own teachers or other staff as proctors and they will be testing on a normal school day.  National test dates are on Saturdays and oftentimes in unfamiliar locations with strangers administering the test.  Therefore, the testing climate on April 4 should provide an ideal situation to help contribute to student success. 

Free resources:

• www.act.org 

• Princeton Review

• Magoosh

• Veritas Prep

• Union Test Prep

• www.varsitytutors.com/free-sat-act-prep-course

Testing Tips and Strategies for the ACT:

1. It is a timed test.  

   1. Answer questions that are easy first then come back to those more difficult questions

   2. Pace yourself - do not spend too much time on one question

   3. If needed, make an educated guess and move on. 

2. Get adequate sleep

3. Eat a nutritious breakfast

4. Bring a small snack and something to drink for the break

5. Dress for success

Students are not allowed to bring anything in to the testing room except #2 pencils (no mechanical) and an ACT approved calculator.  You can find a list of approved calculators on the ACT website.  Wearing a watch for timing purposes is acceptable but it may not be a smart watch or have an alarm.  Cell phones or any other Smart devices are strictly prohibited.  If you are found with a cell phone or Smart device during testing or during breaks, you will be dismissed and your test will not be scored.  DO NOT BRING CELL PHONES or SMART DEVICES!!! 

MCA Information

Beginning mid-April SAVHS will administer the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA). Please see the schedule below of exact dates in which students will be taking MCA Math, Reading, and/or Science. Testing will be taking place for most students in a specific classroom.  This information will be shared with the students before testing).  Small group testing will be accommodated for all students with specific testing needs.

 

Dates	Test	Grade	Time
Tues-Thurs, 4/18-4/20	MCA Math	11	During a Math Class
Tues-Thurs, 4/18-4/20	MCA Reading	10	During English class
Wed-Fri, 4/26-28	MCA Science	Life Science Students	During Life Science class (Biology)

 

On the day of testing, students need to have their Chromebooks and chargers.  

However, students may NOT use or access cell phones, wearable technology (e.g., smart watches, fitness trackers), or any other devices AT ANY TIME during testing, including during breaks or when testing is completed during the testing session. If one of these devices is used, accessed, or worn during testing, the student’s test MUST BE invalidated.  We are asking that students either keep these devices at home or in their lockers on days that they are testing.  

Water bottles and most calculators are welcome.  All other testing materials will be provided.   

If you are opting your child out of the MCA tests, please see the information provided by the Minnesota Department of Education.  Opt-out forms can be electronically sent or physically dropped off to the high school office.  We must have this information to us by Thursday, April 13th.  Students will not be able to fill out a required form the day of testing and will be taking the assessment as planned.  Regardless of whether your student takes the MCA or not, they will be required to attend school on the testing dates listed above. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the High School counseling department with questions or concerns regarding these upcoming tests.