Testing

There are numerous tests that middle school and high school students are either required to take or can take. Below is a brief description of tests you may hear about and at what grade level the students are when offered. The links provide a description and additional information. 

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• ASVAB: Typically taken by juniors in the fall. You can sign up to take it as early as your sophomore year. This test can be used to explore your strengths and career interests.  It is given by the military and scores are used to determine what jobs you may qualify for if you chose a career in the military.  It provides good career information even if you are not planning on going into the military.  This test will be offered during the school day at GHS and is free.  Scores are typically available within a week or two of taking the exam.  We will host a score interpretation and career seminar after your results are ready.  See the ASVAB website for details.  

  • Free practice prep at SDMyLife (log ing then bottom right 'Methodized')​

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• NCRC The WorkKeys NCRC® Assessment measures and certifies the essential work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations. NCRC is issued at four levels; Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Silver or higher is required to earn an Advanced Career endorsement.  NCRC is ran by ACT NCRC and is given to all seniors at GHS. With this test individuals can: ​

  • Show prospective employers concrete proof of their skills  

  • Apply real-world use to coursework from the classroom 

  • Determine skill improvement and training needs 

  • Improve the opportunities for career changes and advancement 

  • Earn college credit at many institutions and reach academic goals more quickly ​

  • Build confidence that their skills meet the needs of employers 

Workkeys ​NCRC​​​

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• South Dakota's State Assessments: Assessments in English Language Arts and Math are given to all 3rd-8th graders and juniors. The testing platform the state currently uses is Smarter Balanced Assessment. The scores that you get on SBA are also used to determine your placement in college courses and readiness for college.  It is in the student's best interest to take it seriously.  

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• ACT: Typically students sign up for the ACT in the spring of your junior year.  We are not an ACT testing site.  You have to sign up to take it on your own.  The ACT is offered at bigger schools in the area several times throughout the year, most often on a Saturday morning. ​The ACT is a test given to predict your readiness for college.  Most colleges in the Midwest require an ACT score of around 19-21 to be admitted.  Scores on the ACT are also used to determine some scholarship eligibility. There are ACT prep courses offered in Garretson Academy, study guides in the library and ACT has both a free app and an ACT prep course on their website for a cost. Students that have put the time into it have seen increased test scores. There are other free ACT prep sites out there.  Be cautious of ones that charge a fee. ACT scores are typically made available within a few weeks of taking the exam. ACT will contact you directly and we will keep a copy of your scores in your student cumulative file. Your scores will also be put on your high school transcript. See the ACT website for details. ​​​

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• SAT: Very similar to the ACT, the SAT is used to predict your readiness for college.  Colleges on the East and West coast tend to require the SAT instead of the ACT. The SAT is another test that you sign up for on your own.  We are not a testing site for the SAT. See the SAT website for details on how to sign up. Method Test Prep will help prepare for SAT as well!

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• AP College Board: Students that take Advanced Placement courses can sign up to take the AP exam through College Board. Students that receive a high enough score on the AP Exam may earn college credit through College Board. It is up to the college that you are attending to decide it they will accept this credit. All students that take AP English at Garretson High School are required to take the AP Exam. A score of 3 or better on the AP Exam will be equal to Composition 101 for most colleges in our area. NOTE: There are other AP classes that you can take online, but currently GHS offers AP English in the traditional classroom setting. If you are interested in other AP courses and the online options, see the principal or counselor. This is a national exam that is offered on one specific day across the nation, typically in May. This test will be offered during the school day at GHS.  AP exam scores will be made available over the summer. College Board will contact you directly with your scores.   See the AP College Board website for details. 

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• NAEP: Public schools across our nation are randomly selected to administer NAEP.  The scores on this exam become our nation's "report card".  These scores are not put in the student's individual record.  It is considered a civic duty for students to take the NAEP when our school is selected.

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• ACCUPLACER: Technical schools and some colleges in SD have students take the ACCUPLACER to help accurately place them in the appropriate courses and/or acceptance into their programs. Below is an example of how STI uses the scores to determine eligibility into their programs.  We are not a testing site for ACCUPLACER; however, we can help make arrangements for you to take the ACCUPLACER at STI's Testing Center.  For a small fee STI will transfer your scores to other technical schools.  Most post high school programs will have you take the ACCUPLACER when you visit or register for courses your first year.  

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• NWEA / MAP - Test K-12 students three times a year. Assessment is used for measuring achievement and growth in K–12 math, reading, language usage, and science. It provides teachers with accurate, actionable evidence to help inform instructional strategies regardless of how far students are above or below grade level.