Testing

Tests Required for Graduation

• What are STAAR end-of-course exams?
• STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. High school students must take and pass certain required courses and the end-of-course exams for those courses. The assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the state curriculum standards. The end-of-course exams are designed to ensure that students are learning specific course material and are prepared to succeed in college and/or careers.
• Who is required to take STAAR in high school?
• Students who entered the ninth grade in the 2011-2012 school year or later must pass 5 STAAR end-of-course tests to graduate from a Texas public high school. Those 5 tests are:
• English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology & U.S. History
• How often are end-of-course tests administered?
• Each test is given 3 times a year to provide multiple testing opportunities for those who don’t pass an assessment on the initial attempt.

Click or scan here to learn more about the high school EOC tests

College

Testing

TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Test

• Purpose of the test
• The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) is the test created by the state of Texas to help determine whether students are ready for freshman-level college courses in mathematics and English language arts and reading (ELAR).
• High school graduates who do not meet one or more of the benchmarks on the TSIA/TSIA2 are required to participate in developmental education prior to, or together with, enrollment in freshman-level college courses.
• The TSIA/TSIA2 is a computer adaptive test, which means questions may increase or decrease in difficulty depending on the student’s responses. The TSIA/TSIA2 is not timed, and students may pause the test anytime during their session except during the essay portion.
• Who takes these tests in RISD?
• This test is given to all 10th graders in the spring semester of their 10th grade year, however, students can register for and take this test at a Dallas College campus at any time.
• How much does it cost?
• RISD pays the cost for all 10th grade students. If a student wants to take it on their own, they may have to pay a small fee.
• Scoring
• English Language Arts & Reading section: 945-990 is considered passing/college ready. If a student scores below 945, a diagnostic test will be unlocked and a score of 5+ is considered passing/college ready.
• Essay section: 5-8 is considered passing/college ready
• Math section: 950-990 is considered passing college ready. If a student scores below 950, a diagnostic test will be unlocked and a score of 6+ is considered passing/college ready.

Find out more here →

PSAT/NMSQT

(National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)

• Purpose of the test
• Determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program during the junior year. It also serves as a practice test for the SAT.
• Who takes these tests in RISD?
• Test is given in October to all 9th-11th graders
• How much does it cost?
• $18
• Scoring
• Total Score Range: 320 - 1520
• English Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) Range: 160-760
• Math Range: 160-760
• Click or scan here to learn more about the National Merit Scholarship Program →
• How to win the scholarship →

Find out more here →

Understanding Your Scores

SAT

• Purpose of the test
• Measure a high school student's readiness for college, & provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
• Who takes these tests in RISD?
• This is a national test any student can register, pay and take the test.
• Test is typically taken during 11th grade
• How much does it cost?
• $55 / No longer is there an option for the essay
• Scoring
• Total Score Range: 400-1600 (Average score 1068 and 90% is 1350)
• English Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) Range: 200-800 �(Average score = 536)
• Math Range: 200-800 (Average score = 531)
• Scores are reported via the College Board portal 15 days after the test
• Can send scores to 4 schools for free each time you take the test
• Scores do not directly provide students with scholarships. �However, colleges can evaluate scores for their own scholarship programs.

Find out more here →

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Test Dates

ACT

• Purpose of the test
• Measure a high school student's readiness for college, & provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.
• Who takes these tests in RISD?
• RISD provides a free ACT District test with writing in spring of Junior year. National test any student can register, pay and take the test.
• How much does it cost?
• Free if taken with RISD
• If taken out of district - $60 without the writing or $85 with the writing
• Scoring
• Composite Score Range: 1-36 (Average score is a 21) Made of the average of the 4 section scores
• English Score Range: 1-36
• Math Score Range: 1-36
• Reading Score Range: 1-36
• Science Score Range: 1-36
• Optional Writing Score Range: 1-6
• Scores are reported via the ACT portal 2 weeks after the test if taken out of district
• In district testing scores mailed home to students approximately 8 weeks after the test is administered. Scores placed in ACT portal 1 to 2 weeks after students receive the printed score reports in the mail.
• Can send scores to 4 schools for free each time you take the test
• Scores do not directly provide students with scholarships. However, colleges can evaluate scores for their own scholarship programs.

Find out more here →

Practice with ACT Kaplan Online

Test Dates

What is the difference between the SAT & the ACT?

Download this helpful Infographic

• SAT is an aptitude test - “reasoning/how you think”
• ACT is an achievement test - “content/what you know”
• ACT has a Science Reasoning Section.
• SAT has two math sections, one of which does not allow the use of a calculator.
• ACT has one math section with approved calculator.
• ACT has an optional essay - register for it WITH the writing.
• Most colleges accept either SAT or ACT.
• When registering, take advantage of the opportunity to send scores to up to four colleges (for free). If you wait until after the test, you might have to pay extra.
• Colleges require that your test scores be sent from the testing company, not from your high school
• Some colleges now allow students to self-report test scores.
• If you want to play sports in college, test scores must be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center.

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Advanced Placement (AP) Tests

• Purpose of the test
• AP exams assess your knowledge of AP course material and determine whether you are qualified to test out of similar introductory courses in college. A high score on an AP Test indicates that you are capable of working at the college level in the subject.
• Who takes these tests in RISD?
• Students that are enrolled in AP courses have the option to test in May for the courses in which they are enrolled
• How much does it cost?
• $96 per exam
• Benefits of taking AP tests
• Get early experience with college level coursework
• Develop college level study & critical thinking skills
• Earn college credit and placement
• Save money and time in the long run & potentially graduate from college early
• Stand out to colleges on college applications
• Keep your options open when choosing and/or changing majors in college
• Boost your high school GPA

AP Course Index

AP Credit

Transferability

AP Scoring

Fee Waiver Eligibility

Students eligible for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program are also eligible for:

• Fee Waivers for both the SAT and ACT Tests
• College Admission Fee Waivers
• Fee reductions for AP tests
• Reduced summer school fees
• Parents MUST apply for the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program EACH year in order for their children to be eligible
• Parents can also apply at https://www.nlappscloud.com/

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