Skip to main content

West Carroll High School

Together, building Thunder pride, empowering growth and achieving success everyday

Testing Information

    • ASVAB - The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is taken by all Juniors during the 1st semester. For more information, click on the following link: ASVAB.

     

    • ACT - The ACT is an assessment that is taken by students globally and is recognized as a college admission test that's accepted at all U.S. colleges. All juniors are required to complete the ACT to earn a high school diploma from an Illinois high school. All juniors enrolled at West Carroll High School are automatically registered for the ACT during their Spring semester and will test during the All-School Testing Day. West Carroll High School uses the ACT to show growth when compared to the PreACT. For more information about the ACT and how to interpret results, click on the following link: ACT

     

    • PSAT/NMSQT - The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a standardized test taken by students who choose to take it in October of their junior year. The PSAT tests students' skills in reading, writing, and math. This is not a required test at West Carroll High School. For more information, click on the following link: PSAT/NMSQT.

     

    • PreACT &  PreACT Secure are college and career readiness assessments designed for students in grades 10 and 11 to help them prepare for the ACT and future academic success. Aligned with the ACT, it measures students' skills in English, math, reading, and science while providing a realistic preview of the ACT testing experience. Students receive personalized score reports with predicted ACT score ranges, college readiness benchmarks, and detailed feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement. The results help students, families, and educators make informed decisions about course selection, academic planning, and college and career preparation as students continue through high school. West Carroll High School uses the PreACT to show growth when compared to the PreACT 9. For more information, click on the following link: PreACT

     

    • PreACT 9 & PreACT 9 Secure are college and career readiness assessments designed specifically for ninth-grade students. Aligned with the ACT, it measures students' skills in English, math, reading, and science while providing an early indicator of academic strengths and areas for growth. Students receive personalized score reports with predicted ACT score ranges, college readiness benchmarks, and suggestions for improving their skills. The PreACT 9 helps students, families, and educators make informed decisions about course selection and academic planning, ensuring students stay on track for success in high school, college, and future careers. West Carroll High School uses the PreACT 9 to show growth through the first year of high school. For more information, click on the following link: PreACT

     

    • All School Test Day - On this day (usually in April), all students in grades 9, 10, and 11 will be taking their respective ACT/PreACT Secure assessment. If a student is absent, there will be an opportunity to make up the exam. Unless otherwise noted, seniors will have a career day that day. They will be able to go on a college visit, take military testing, job shadow, etc. 

  • Official Testing Websites.

    ACT – MyACT Official Website.

    The MyACT Official Site. This link will take students to the MyACT site, which is where they can access their scores online.

    SAT - The College Board Official Website.

    The SAT Suite of Assessments - This link will give students an abundance of information about all of the assessments our students take through The College Board (i.e. PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT and SAT). Everything you wanted to know or had a question about can be answered here.

     

    Registering for SAT and/or ACT

    All junior students will be registered to take the SAT at school in the spring.  This is done automatically through our school system and linked with the Student Information System at the state.

    Students who want to take the ACT or retake the SAT must sign up online with ACT and/or SAT directly.  The only testing available is on National Testing days.  It is advised to sign up for testing at least 1 month before the testing date to avoid late fees. Students will need West Carroll’s school code of 143847 to register.

                SAT Registration – SAT

                ACT Registration – ACT

     

    Test Prep

    College Board Official SAT practice

    This is a free service that is personalized to each student.  SAT will create a tailored practice plan for students based on a diagnostic of their SAT or PSAT/NMSQT® scores. The program includes 8 full-length, real practice tests and content created in partnership with College Board. There are thousands of practice questions, videos, lessons, and hints plus study and test-taking tips and strategies. Students will get constant feedback and progress so they know where they stand when it comes to taking the SAT.

     

    PrepFactory Test Preparation

    Some prep courses can cost upwards of $400 or more, this one is for free.  For each section of the SAT and ACT, PrepFactory guides students through strategy, quizzes and practice sets. PrepFactory offers students an assessment of their skills and gears lessons during the 14-week instruction period toward their strengths and weaknesses. PrepFactory also offers strategies to aid in test-taking in each of the subjects.

     

    Which test to take, SAT or ACT?

    SAT, ACT, or Both?!,

    Which test should students choose?


    The SAT is better if you're: 

    • A “good test taker”, if big tests don’t make you very nervous, or if you don’t get overwhelmed easily by unfamiliar information
    • Near a top score, because it’s easier to “ace” (get a 99th percentile or perfect score) than the ACT
    • Good at solving puzzles or “thinking on the fly” - taking unfamiliar information and manipulating it quickly or combining it with knowledge you already have

    The ACT is better if you're:

    • Better in classes than on tests
    • Good at learning all the material in the textbook
    • If you prefer lots of structure in your education
    • Scoring in the lower percentiles (the average ACT question is a bit easier than the average SAT question)
    • All Illinois students are required to take the ACT.