Testing information
NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association)/MAPS (Measures of Academic Progress)
St. Mary’s Students take this achievement assessment from K-9.
- Helps to determine students’ instructional level and measure academic growth throughout the school year.
- There are 3 sections of the test:
- Reading
- Language
- Math
- Students are assessed 3 times a school year.
- Questions are adaptive – The test is specifying student’s learning level. Test becomes more difficult the more questions answered correctly, or questions become easier when answered incorrectly.
- Parents receive individual student progress reports. For more information visit https://www.nwea.org/resources/a-parents-guide-to-map/
ASPIRE
- Standards-based assessment to monitor progress toward college and career readiness.
- Assessed to our 10th grade students to understand academic achievement levels.
- Areas of testing include:
- English
- Math
- Reading
- Science
- Writing
- Capable for predicting outcomes on the ACT
- Aligned with the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks – students get an idea of how successful they would be in a college level course.
- In partnership with ACT, so students get an idea of how the ACT will look.
PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
- Offered in the fall semester to juniors.
- Standardized test which focuses on skills and knowledge a student learns in high school and what is needed to succeed in college.
- Students who take the PSAT are automatically screened for the National Merit Scholarship – academic competition for recognition and scholarships.
- Does not count towards college admission applications, but is useful for students who want practice for the ACT/SAT.
- Assesses 3 subject areas:
- Reading
- Writing & Language
- Math
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
- Measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military.
- St. Mary’s sponsors the test every year for our 11th grade students.
- Scores are used to determine if an individual is qualified to enlist in the military and to assign you to an appropriate job in the military.
- Great resource for students to learn what skills they have when thinking about what careers to look into.
- Measures 4 domains:
- Verbal
- Math
- Science & Technical
- Spatial
ACT (American College Testing)
- Standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions.
- Take the ACT for the first time in the spring of junior year.
- Students may retake the test during the fall of senior year.
Test Center Locations near Sleepy Eye:
St. Mary's does offer the ACT.
- Minnesota Valley Lutheran HS
- New Ulm High School
- Mankato East High School
- Rasmussen College, Mankato
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
There are 5 sections of the test:
- English
- Math
- Reading
- Science
- Writing
- ACT cost is $58.50 to take all 5 sections of the test.
- ACT cost is $42.50 if you decide not to take the writing portion.
- Not all colleges require the writing portion of the exam, so it is recommended that you check with your college admissions requirements before taking the writing portion.
- There are fee waivers available. Talk with the school counselor for a form.
- Students register for a date and time to take the test at www.actstudent.org.
- ACT displays college readiness benchmarks so students can see minimum scores needed to have a 50% chance of getting a B or 75% chance of getting a C in college-level coursework in that area.
Accuplacer
- Assessment utilized for 2-year community and technical colleges.
- If a student takes the ACT, their scores may opt them out of taking the Accuplacer.
- Tests knowledge in math, reading, and writing.
- Helps to identify strengths and needs in each subject area.
- Academic advisors and counselors at a college or technical school will use the results along with information about academic background, goals, and interests to help students take courses that match their skill level, and give the best opportunities for success.
- Test questions are based on responses to each question already answered. Questions increase or decrease in difficulty depending on answers already worked through on the test.
- Results are available immediately after the test is completed.
- It’s important to talk with the admission counselor at the college to see if you need to take the accuplacer.
- There is no charge to take the accuplacer for the first time.
- For more information visit https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/