Program of Studies 2008/09
Testing Programs
Inside this section:
Testing Program
The guidance department offers a comprehensive program of testing to NCCHS students. Testing is divided into three main categories:
- tests for academic placement
- tests for career assessment
- tests for college admissions
- 8th grade students are tested using the Gates-MacGinities for 9th grade placement in Reading and Regular, College Prep and Honors English Courses.
The following table outlines each of these testing categories identifying what tests are given, what each test measures for the student, and to whom each test is given, as well as scheduling information. Parents or students who have specific questions regarding any of these tests should consult the appropriate counselor. Additional career testing is available upon request.
Academic Testing
(State of Illinois Required Testing)
| Name of Test | What it Measures |
Whom & When |
Prairie State Exam (PSAE) |
Assess student ability in Reading, English and Math. Serves as an indicator of ACT scores. |
Required of all Juniors in April. |
Career Testing
| Name of Test | What it Measures |
Whom & When |
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) |
Aptitude and interests covering a variety of military and civilian occupations. |
Given on a voluntary basis to Juniors and Seniors in December. |
College Bound Testing
| Name of Test | What it Measures |
Whom & When |
Preliminary American College Testing Program (Explore) |
Designed to measure student achievement in writing skills, reading, math, and science reasoning at the 10th grade level. The test also includes an estimated range of a student’s future ACT composite score. |
Required for all Freshmen. |
Preliminary American College Testing Program (PLAN) |
Designed to measure student achievement in writing skills, reading, math, and science reasoning at the 10th grade level. The test also includes an estimated range of a student’s future ACT composite score. |
Required for all Sophomores. |
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test / National Merit Scholastic Qualifying Test |
The test familiarizes students with the format and content of the SAT. This test can also serve as an indicator as to how students might perform on the SAT. It is the qualifying test for the NMSQT and the National Hispanic Awards Program. |
Required for all Juniors planning to go to college. |
American College Testing Program (ACT) |
Designed to assess students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college work. |
Recommended for Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors planning to go to college. |
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) |
Measures a student’s developed verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities related to academic performance in college. |
Recommended for Juniors & Seniors planning to go to college. |