Each year students across the State of Illinois participate in standardized testing. These scores contribute to our school rating and ranking. While we understand that these tests are only a snapshot of your student’s learning, we take these assessments very seriously and work throughout the year to best prepare our students for success.
Each year, our 9th, 10th and 11th grade students will participate in the PSAT and/or SAT assessments. For the 2021-22 school year, the assessment schedule is as follows:
- Freshmen: PSAT 9 on April 13, 2022
- Sophomores: PSAT 10 on April 13, 2022
- Juniors: SAT on April 13, 2022
Why take the SAT?
Starting with the 2016-2017 school year, the State of Illinois has determined that all Juniors enrolled in Illinois public high schools will take the SAT.
The SAT gives your child a chance to show how ready they are with questions that look a lot like what they’re learning in class. The SAT:
- Focuses on vocabulary and math they’re already learning in class and that they’ll need to succeed in college.
- Doesn’t penalize for guessing — your child is free to try every question.
- Offers an essay portion of the test.
The SAT is the only test that offers free practice on Khan Academy®. Your child can work at their own pace on the areas they need to improve. It’s a completely personalized way to get ready. And it’s completely free.
Seniors should take or retake the SAT this fall. Historically, two out of three students improve their SAT scores the second time they take the test. Juniors will take the SAT this spring. The SAT offers several opportunities for your child to put their best score forward.
SAT Grade 11 Implementation FAQ:
1) Is SAT required for receipt of a regular high school diploma?
Because SAT will be administered as the state assessment in high school, it fulfills the requirement in Section 2-3.64a-5 of the School Code that students take the state assessment (further defined as an assessment for college and career readiness) in order to receive a regular high school diploma, unless eligible to take the alternative assessment or otherwise exempt from testing.
2) Is there any change to the definition of “grade 11” or the requirements for promotion to grade 12 with the introduction of SAT as the state assessment?
No. The definition of “grade 11” and the requirements for promotion have not changed. Regarding the state assessment, 23 Ill. Admin. Code Section 1.30 defines grade 11 as “the point in time when a student has earned the number of credits necessary for enrollment in grade 11, as determined by his or her school district in accordance with Sections 1.420(b) and 1.440 of this Part.”
SAT will be administered as the state assessment at grade 11 beginning in the 2016-2017 school year and is required by Section 1.30 for promotion to grade 12.
