Standardized Testing

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standardized testing

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College Portals

Introduction

Standardized testing policy has changed drastically over the last 5 years. Different factors around DEI and the pandemic have led to many colleges choosing to be test optional, test flexible, or test blind. The exams themselves are also changing to meet the needs of students (ex. In 2026 the ACT will be making the science section optional and reducing the number of questions in other sections to shorten the exam). With all of the new changes around these exams, it can be difficult to know which one to take, and if you should even take it. Please use this page and additional links to help answer these questions.

For any school-specific questions not answered on this page, please refer to your school's webpage:

Tests

ACCUPLACER

Description

The ACCUPLACER helps colleges and workforce training providers gauge student readiness for required coursework and identify areas where students may need additional support to succeed. In summary, it helps institutions know which classes to place students in. Some schools have a GPA benchmark that determines if they will ask students to take the ACCUPLACER (ex. Saint Paul College will have students complete this if their GPA is below a 2.8). Students will be notified if they are required to take the ACCUPLACER after they are accepted into an institution. This exam if most common at 2-year institutions.

Accuplacer

Test Structure

Please note, a student may not be asked to take all areas, these are just possible areas a school could offer.

Content Area	Timing
Reading	No Time Limit
Writing	No Time Limit
Math	No Time Limit
Essay	No Time Limit

Resources

"ACCUPLACER Explained" Video
Free Practice Resources
Testing Locations (schools may also have students take the exam on their campus)

ACT

Description

The ACT is a college entrance exam that “assesses the mastery of college readiness standards.” The ACT is offered both nationally and through the district. For fee waivers for either type of exam, please see the information under "Frequently Asked Questions" below.

ACT

District Exam

Who: Juniors
When: March 11, 2025
Where: In the high school during the school day
Sign-up process:
- Log into the Infinite Campus portal on your mobile device
- Select “School Store” in the left sidebar menu
- Click on the “Shop” button for Lakeville South High School
- Select “Test Fees”
- Select “View” for the ACT
- Select the Recipient and then add the item to your cart and proceed to payments

National Exams

Who: Sophomore and older qualify
When: Click here for dates
Where: At various locations around the metro (ones hosted by Lakeville are listed above)
Sign-up process: Sign-up through MYACT

Test Structure

Content Area	Timing
English	45 minutes
Math	60 minutes
Reading	35 minutes
Science	35 minutes
Optional Essay	30 minutes

Resources

ASVAB

Description

The ASVAB is an aptitude test that helps measure students’ strengths and potential for success in military training. If a student is interested in pursuing a branch of the military, their recruiter will give them more information and practice resources for this exam. CLICK HERE to find out more about the military path.

ASVAB

Test Structure

Please note, a student may not be asked to take all areas, these are just possible areas a school could offer.

Content Area	Timing
General Science	8 minutes
Arithmetic Reasoning	36 minutes
Word Knowledge	11 minutes
Paragraph Comprehension	15 minutes
Mathematics Knowledge	24 minutes
Electronics Information	20 minutes
Auto & Shop Information	20 minutes
Mechanical Comprehension	40 minutes

Resources

"What is the ASVAB" Video
Set up the test and get practice materials through your recruiter

PSAT/NMSQT

Description

The Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholar Qualifying Exam is well described through its title. It gives students the chance to practice for the SAT and can help them qualify to be a national merit scholar. To officially qualify as a national merit scholar, a student is required to take the PSAT and SAT.

PSAT

This year’s PSAT exam will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 starting at 8 AM hosted by LNHS. The PSAT test is for Sophomores and Juniors. Register for the PSAT exam through the School Store in Infinite Campus. The cost of the exam is $35. The test is 2 hrs., 45 minutes in length, unless you qualify for extended-time accommodations. The deadline to register is Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 10 PM. A make-up exam will be offered on Tuesday, October 29, at 8 AM at Lakeville South High School. The makeup date is reserved for students who miss the regular date with a valid reason (illness, conflict, etc.). All students should register for the October 26 exam, and if you are absent, you will automatically be moved to October 29. For fee waivers for this exam, please see below. Before the exam please download the Bluebook exam app onto your ipad.

How to Register for the Exam

Log into the Infinite Campus portal on your mobile device
Select “School Store” in the left sidebar menu
Click on the “Shop” button for Lakeville South High School
Select “Test Fees”
Select “View” for the PSAT
Select the Recipient and then add the item to your cart and proceed to payments

Test Structure

Content Area	Timing
Reading & Writing	64 minutes
Math	70 minutes

Resources

PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide
Bluebook Exam App
What is a National Merit Scholar?
Free PSAT Practice Resources
Only offered through the school. No additional testing locations.

SAT

Description

The SAT is a college entrance exam that “evaluates prospective students' math, reading, and writing skills.” This exam is only offered through testing centers. Students can sign-up for a SAT exam by clicking the button and signing into your CollegeBoard account.

SAT

Test Structure

Content Area	Timing
Reading & Writing	2 modules, 32 minutes each; 64 min total
Math	2 modules, 35 minutes each; 70 min total
Optional Essay	50 minutes

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I take the ACT or SAT?

The ACT is offered by Lakeville during a school day in March. Therefore if timing and location are a factor, you may lean towards the ACT. However, each test asks questions and is formatted slightly differently. It is hard to know which one will be the best fit until you have had some experience with each exam. Therefore, it is recommended you take a practice test of both the ACT and SAT (with the appropriate time restrictions) and see which one played best to your strengths. Schools DO NOT have a preference for either exam, so it is truly your choice.

Should I take the PSAT/NMSQT?

The PSAT can be a good way to practice for the SAT and possibly qualify to be a Merit Scholar if you have one of the highest scores in the country. The PSAT is completely optional. Here are a few things to consider before signing up for the PSAT:

Most institutions value course rigor and grades more than test scores. Consider if studying and taking this test is going to impact your schoolwork.
We offer the ACT at Lakeville, so practice for the SAT may not be necessary.
Do you plan to pursue the National Merit Scholarship?

If my school is test optional, should I take an exam?

If you have the time and ability to take an exam, it is best to do so for several reasons

You may only be looking at test optional schools currently, but down the road you may become interested in a school that does require standardized tests. It is good to leave all options open.
If you score well on a standardized test, it can increase your chance of acceptance. Submitting no score does not hurt your chances of acceptance, but submitting a score above the institution’s average can help with acceptance.
It is good practice to take standardized tests in high school, as a future graduate school or career path may require a standardized test for entry.
You do not need to submit your score if you are unhappy with it, taking the pressure off.

Do scholarships require standardized test scores?

What does test optional vs test flexible vs test blind mean?

What if I cannot afford these exams? Does anyone else qualify for fee waivers?

Fee Waivers

These exams offer fee waivers for students who receive education benefits. American Indian students also qualify for fee waivers, regardless of socioeconomic status.

What is a Standardized Testing Fee Waiver?

A fee waiver allows students to take the exams, get access to study materials, and receive test responses to study for free. Please see the table below for more information on the 24-25 ACT and SAT fee waivers:

ACT

4 free exams
Official ACT self-paced course
Test information release (TIR) Offered on three test dates a year, the TIR allows you to see your test questions and answers after your test.
You can send additional ACT score reports for free to colleges and/or scholarship agencies at any time during your college search process. Your fee waiver covers one report to your high school and up to six college choices. After registration, you can request unlimited score reports for free.

SAT

2 free exams
Unlimited score reports to send to colleges

How do I know if I qualify?

If you receive free & reduced-price educational benefits, you qualify for these fee waivers. If you believe you should be eligible, but are not involved in this program, please reach out to a counselor. Click these links for ACT and SAT eligibility requirements as well if you are questioning if you qualify:

ACT Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements
SAT Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements

Who do I contact regarding getting SAT waivers?

SAT fee waivers can be requested through the CollegeBoard. Click the button to be redirected.

SAT fee Waivers

Who do I contact regarding getting ACT waivers?

LOA & LPA: Janet McAlpine
LNHS: Kresson Hrdlichka
LSHS: Heather Allen
American Indian Students: Aimeé Gish-Meier