Assessments

What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

Advanced Placement (AP) is a College Board program (like the PSAT and SAT). The AP exam is a culmination of content learned in a year-long course. These courses are college-level and accelerated. Advanced Placement Logo

Before considering taking an AP course, it is important to familiarize yourself with what an AP course actually entails. This is time-consuming, challenging coursework, so make sure you actually like the subject, want the challenge, feel confident with the material, and have time to devote. The AP course descriptions in the Course Guide will give you an idea of what is expected in each course, what prior knowledge and experience may be helpful, etc. For more information about our AP course offerings, please refer to our Course Guide.

The AP exams occur in the first two full weeks of May of each year and are 2-3.25 hours long (length varies by subject area). AP exam scores are available in July and students can send scores to colleges to receive college credit. Each college will have their respective AP exam score policy. AP exam scores are not required for college admission.

General AP information via College Board.

AP Testing Information

All students need to verify their exams and times through their My AP account on the College Board Website.

Check-In's

• 8 AM exams
  • Check-in time will be at 7:45 AM. Testing will start promptly at 8:00 AM.
• Noon Exams
  • Check-in time will be at 11:45 AM. Testing will start promptly at 12:00 PM.

What to Bring

• Number 2 Pencils
• Pens (Blue or Black)
• Photo ID
• An Approved Calculator (if your exam requires it)
• Layers of Clothing
• Water bottle/snack (see below)
• Non-smart watch

Food/ Drink

• Students will not be allowed to eat or drink during the exam.
• During testing breaks (unless you have accommodations) students will be allowed to step outside to eat/drink.

Phones/Smart Watches

• Leave all smartwatches at home.
• Should you bring a cell phone, you will be required to switch it off, and it will remain inaccessible until dismissal time.

Transportation

• Afternoon exams will not be finished before busses leave. You will need to make arrangements to get picked up.

Exam End Times

• Each student will not be allowed to leave the exam until the exams have finished.
• Please remember that the exam total time is not the amount of time it will take for the whole exam. Please add in at least 30 minutes for reading instructions, collecting materials, and for breaks; this can be longer depending on the size of the exam.
• Foreign Language exams should add at least 1 hour to the exam as it takes a while to ensure all recordings have been saved correctly.

Test Security

• You are not allowed to discuss or post about the exam - College Board can invalidate scores for doing so.
• No exam materials may leave the testing premises.
• No cheating of any kind.

You may only leave to go to the bathroom with permission from the testing proctor.

What is the PSAT?

The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is a standardized test that provides sophomores and juniors with the opportunity to get ready for the official SAT. It also gives junior students a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. The PSAT is an annual national test, and in 2025 will be offered on October 28th and 29th, from 8-11am (must arrive by 7:45am). There are no make-up dates for this opportunity.

The PSAT is written and scored by the College Board, the same company that writes and scores the SAT, and the testing environment is very similar to the actual SAT environment. In addition to the physical experience of taking the standardized test, each student receives personalized feedback on each section of the test, and can log into a personalized planning guide based on their test results on www.collegeboard.com. This is a low-stakes testing opportunity – the PSAT scores are not sent to colleges, and are not a part of the college application process for any student. For sophomores, scores are purely for their own self-knowledge. For juniors, the PSAT scores are used as qualifying data for the National Merit Scholarship Competition, but this is the ONLY thing their scores are used for other than their own information.

What are the benefits of taking this test?

Because a college entrance test (SAT or ACT) is often a required part of four year college application process, any student who is considering direct enrollment at a four year college would benefit from participating in the PSAT. Taking the PSAT familiarizes students with the kind of questions, style of directions, and physical environment of a SAT exam, and provides students with a projected SAT score range, excellent personalized feedback and a study plan. This is an incredibly affordable way to prepare for a college entrance exam. For our highest performing students, the PSAT is also the way they can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

For your tenth grader, this test provides a completely no-stakes opportunity to get acquainted with the standardized testing environment and format. It’s also a great opportunity for students who have difficulties with test-taking situations to prepare, get practice and receive personalized feedback in a safe environment, before taking the real SAT/ACT at the end of their Junior year.

Students who take the PSAT:

• Receive feedback on their strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. They can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
• See how their performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
• Can enter the competition for scholarships from NMSC (grade 11).
• Help prepare for the SAT, and to become familiar with the kinds of questions and directions they will see on the SAT.
• Receive information from colleges if they check "yes" to Student Search Service.

How can my student prepare for this test?

Students will receive a PSAT Study Guide prior to the test, which will help them learn more about the exam and testing day. This guide provides useful tips, test-taking strategies, practice questions, a full PSAT practice test, etc.

When do we get the results?

Results from this test will be released by College Board home in late January. The results include personalized feedback and a free personalized online SAT study resources. Learn more from at The College Board PSAT information page about how to interpret your PSAT scores, how to access your personalized SAT study plan, and other tools on College Board to help create your road map to success!

What is the ACT?

The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized examination used for college admissions within the United States. Administered by ACT, Inc., this test evaluates a high school student's overall educational development and their readiness to undertake college-level work. It consists of multiple-choice tests in four key academic areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.

The ACT offers an optional writing test which does not affect the composite score, but assesses the candidate's proficiency in planning and writing a brief essay. The exam's scores are intended to gauge "college readiness," with results in each of the subtests relating to the skills required for entry-level college courses, including English, algebra, social science, humanities, and biology.

Colleges use ACT scores, along with other parameters such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters, to decide on admissions. Some institutions may also consider ACT scores for placement and scholarship opportunities. The ACT is usually scored on a 1 to 36 scale, with 36 being the top possible score.

What are the benefits of taking this test?

Taking the ACT (American College Testing) provides numerous advantages to high school students who aspire to continue their educational journey. First and foremost, the ACT is a recognized standard for college admissions across the United States. Achieving a high ACT score not only bolsters your college application, but it can also open up a wealth of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships, often dependent on ACT scores, can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education.

The ACT goes beyond just college admissions, though. It's an effective measure of college readiness, testing students on key subjects like English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning — a reflection of many high school curriculums. Additionally, certain colleges utilize ACT scores for course placement, meaning high scores could potentially allow students to bypass some introductory courses, saving both time and money. Plus, the ACT even includes an interest inventory that aids students in aligning their career paths with their skills and interests. In essence, taking the ACT can be an important step in mapping out your academic future.

1. College Admissions: The ACT is widely recognized and accepted by colleges and universities in the United States. A strong score can significantly boost your college application and improve your chances of gaining admission to your preferred school.
2. Scholarship Opportunities: Many scholarships use ACT scores as part of their decision-making process. Achieving a high ACT score can open doors to various financial aid opportunities and reduce the cost of higher education.
3. College Readiness: The ACT is designed to assess high school students' readiness for college-level work. The subjects tested on the ACT — English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning — mirror the curriculum of many high school programs, and a strong performance can indicate readiness for post-secondary education.
4. Course Placement: Some colleges use ACT scores for course placement. High scores in specific sections could allow you to skip certain introductory courses in college, saving you time and money.
5. Career Exploration: The ACT includes an interest inventory that can help students identify career paths that align with their interests and skills.
6. Statewide Acceptance: ACT scores can be used for statewide and district-wide assessments, meaning the test can fulfill multiple requirements.
7. International Recognition: While the ACT is an American test, a growing number of international colleges and universities also recognize and accept ACT scores for admissions.

At North Kitsap High School (NKHS), the Smarter Balanced and Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) assessments play an integral role in measuring student understanding and progress in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. These assessments provide valuable feedback to teachers, students, and parents about student learning and areas that might need additional support.

1. Smarter Balanced Assessments at NKHS: Students at NKHS typically take the Smarter Balanced assessments in grades 3-8 and 11, as per the standard guidelines. These tests help evaluate their proficiency in English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Mathematics. The online, adaptive nature of these tests allows for an accurate representation of a student's abilities, scaling the difficulty of questions according to their performance. The results of the Smarter Balanced assessments not only contribute to understanding individual student's academic progress, but they also help to gauge the effectiveness of the school's curricula and teaching strategies.

2. WCAS at NKHS: The Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) is typically administered to students at NKHS in grades 5, 8, and 11. This test is designed to assess their understanding and application of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The WCAS provides a comprehensive look at students' scientific capabilities, including understanding of scientific concepts, analysis of scientific phenomena, and the application of knowledge in real-world contexts.

NKHS uses the data from these assessments to continuously improve teaching strategies, curricular resources, and learning interventions. Students and parents are encouraged to use these results as a tool to identify areas of strength and those that might need additional focus. The school strives to support all students in achieving their best in these assessments, while also recognizing that standardized testing is only one measure of a student's academic potential and progress.