Standardized Tests

STANDARDIZED TESTING
ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

The Iowa Assessments are given annually to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Testing with the Ames HSAP is free and optional to students registered with the HSAP.

• PSAT/NMSQT - administered in mid-October at Ames High. College-bound juniors should plan to take this test. High achieving sophomores also are encouraged to take this exam. The test is a preliminary SAT and used by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as its qualifying test to determine National Merit Semifinalists. Estimated cost - $15.

• ACT and/or SAT - administered five to six times during the school year on national testing dates. These are the two tests that are commonly used in the application process to colleges and universities. Students may register for the ACT online at act.org or for the SAT at collegeboard.com. Fee waivers are available in Student Services for students who qualify.

Standard prep booklets are also available in Student Services. Counselors urge prospective college-bound students to take either of these tests at the end of the second semester of the junior year. Estimated costs: ACT - $42.50 or $58.50 plus writing test; SAT - $45.00 plus $46.00 for optional subject tests or $52.00 for a listening language subject test and $57.00 with an essay.

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/steps-linking-college-board-khan-academy-accounts.pdf - is a helpful option

AHS offers an ACT/SAT prep class after school hours - one in the fall and one in the spring.

• ADVANCED PLACEMENT - administered each May at Ames High School according to a national testing schedule. High scores on the AP exams can result in the awarding of credit by a student's post-secondary institution. However, students need to review their college choices’ policies for awarding credit on AP exams. Registration is held at Ames High prior to

March 31 with payment for the exams due at registration. Estimated cost - $91 per test.