LSHS TESTING CALENDAR and INFORMATION
PSAT/NMSQT
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2022 Testing Date: SATURDAY, October 15 at 8:00am
Exam will be held at Lakeville South. Cost is $30
Registration/Payment is done in the school store on the Portal - September 1 through October 7.
This is an optional test for juniors wanting to qualify for National Merit status and sophomores/juniors seeking practice for college entrance exams. Only juniors and sophomores may take the exam.
Questions? Contact Julie Ledin at Julie.Ledin@isd194.org.
The PSAT measures: critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, & writing skills. Students have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test does not require students to recall specific facts from classes.
Who and why should students take this test?
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Sophomore or junior looking for a practice exam with feedback
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Receive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of skills necessary for college study. Students can then focus their preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
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See how the performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
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Enter the competition for scholarships from National Merit (grade 11 only).
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Help prepare for the SAT. Students become familiar with the questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
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Receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.
Visit the Official College Board Student Guide for practice: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
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Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
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Testing Dates: November 7, 2022 and Tentative in Spring for February or March 2023
Although no longer required for graduation from Lakeville South High School, the ASVAB Career Exploration Program helps you identify your skills and interests, explore jobs, and develop your school plans for after high school. It's another tool provided to help search out what post-secondary options might be best for you. This test is FREE and generally offered to interested students on a non-school or late start day. Transportation would be on their own for this optional exam.
For more information on the test, visit asvabprogram.com.
ACCESS for ELLs
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Testing Window: January 25-March 19
The ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are the assessments developed by the WIDA consortium and administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development. Most English learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs, but English learners who received special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs.
The ACCESS is an English language proficiency accountability assessment based on the WIDA English Language Development Standards. There are four language domains assessed by the ACCESS:
- Listening
- Reading
- Speaking
- Writing
The test is available in six grade-level clusters: K, 1, 2–3, 4–5, 6–8, and 9–12. While the Kindergarten ACCESS remains paper-based, the ACCESS is primarily administered online, with paper test materials available only for eligible students.
The Listening and Reading domains are adaptive tests that contain multiple-choice and technology-enhanced items. The Speaking domain consists of speaking prompts delivered online; students respond by speaking into a microphone and recording their responses.The Writing domain contains a set of tasks to which students respond.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs are available in a downloadable and printable Parent Fact Sheets. A test preparation fact sheet is also available. See the document list below.
- ACCESS Parent Fact Sheet – 8/24/18
ACT for JUNIORS
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Testing Date: March 12, 2024
Every Minnesota high school junior will be given the chance to take the ACT in their own school during a regular daily schedule. This is provided at no cost to the student. The State of MN passed legislation in 2013 to use the ACT as a curriculum- and standards-based educational planning tool that assesses students' academic readiness for college.
This year's exam for the Class of 2024 will be held on March 12, 2024. To adhere to the ACT testing requirements, only juniors will be in attendance that day and all other grade levels will be participating in a digital learning Opportunities Day event. Details about the schedule, student testing locations, what to bring, and more will be emailed to juniors and included in newsletters prior to the event.
Anyone else looking to take the ACT would need to register on their own for a National testing date. Lakeville North or South will generally be an option for location on most of those Saturday options. Find out more and to register, visit ACT.org
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
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Window for Math & Reading Test: March 8-May 7
Window for Science Test: March 8-May 14
LSHS is planning on starting the first week of AprilThe Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test is the state determined test used in schools to measure student achievement in the areas of reading, math, and science. State tests are given to students in a district once a year, based on their grade level and subject area. These tests help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements. Most students take the MCAs, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the MTAS.
Minnesota’s statewide tests are objective, standardized measures of student achievement on academic or proficiency standards. Students, families, teachers and administrators use statewide test results as part of a comprehensive system for evaluating learning.
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment scores are available through the Minnesota Department of Education’s report card website.
- Click on the link
- Choose "My School" in the top left corner of the screen
- Fill in the school’s name
- Click on MCAs/MTAs on the left side of the page.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) is available in a downloadable and printable Parent Fact Sheets. A test preparation fact sheet is also available. See the document list below. Translated versions of these fact sheets are available under Translated Documents, below.
- MCA Parent Fact Sheet – 8/24/18
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)
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Test Window: March 4-May 3
The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) is an alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. It is a performance-based assessment administered and scored by the test administrator using a script and a task-specific scoring rubric. The MTAS is used to measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and meet the requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). MTAS Reading is given to students in grade 10. MTAS Math is given to students in grade 11. MTAS Science is given to students currently in a Life Science class. Test administration times will vary for each student, and the state does not provide estimated test administration times for the MTAS. Results will be mailed home in late August or early September.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the MTAS is available in a downloadable and printable Parent Fact Sheets. A test preparation fact sheet is also available. See the document list below. Translated versions of these fact sheets are available under Translated Documents, below.
- MTAS Parent Fact Sheet – 8/24/18
Advanced Placement (AP)® Exams
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Testing Dates: May 1, 2023 through May 12, 2023
Although optional, taking the Advanced Placement (AP)® exam is an important part of all AP courses. Lakeville South High School staff encourages all students to take AP exams for the AP classes they have taken during the school year. Scoring well on an AP exam can often result in college credit being earned, saving a significant amount of tuition money and time.
For more detail, visit https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/
During the first two weeks of school, all students taking an AP class first semester will be creating a mycollegeboard.com account during their AP classes so they can access online resources, AP scores, etc. They will also be asked to indicate if they will be taking the AP exam in May. AP exams cost $65.00 each. The initial deadline for purchasing AP exams is October 28, 2022 and the price will increase until the final deadline in mid November. Students with questions about financial assistance should contact their Dean of Students.
The AP Program is prepared to meet schools and students where they are this year. AP will support in-school testing in 2023 because administering exams in schools maximizes access and opportunity, and we’ll provide a contingency testing option—that includes full course content—if school buildings close for safety concerns.
Exam dates can be found HERE.