Standardized testing is conducted for a variety of reasons: accreditation, curriculum review, and college planning, among others. At Divine Savior Academy, this process begins in the middle school and continues throughout high school.
PSAT testing for juniors is done each fall on the second or third Wednesday morning of October. Grade 9 and 10 testing for ACT Aspire is usually completed in the spring. Please see below for more information about each assessment.
Students from Divine Savior Academy use our DSA High School Test Code: 100413 when registering for any of these tests.
Find the following information and resources on this page:
- ACT Aspire
- PSAT/NMSQT: Grade 11 Assessment
- ACT
- SAT
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- General Testing Links
ACT ASPIRE
DSA utilizes ACT Aspire, a unique and innovative program from ACT. ACT Aspire measures student student growth beginning in grade 3 and continues through 11 within the context of college and career readiness. This comprehensive guidance resource helps students measure their current academic development, explore career or training options, and make plans for the remaining years of high school and beyond. Ultimately, the result benefits students by providing concrete reinforcement for success in college and their careers
Find more information on ACT Aspire at this link.
PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT®. It also gives students a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.
ACT
The ACT test, started by the American College Testing Program is a standardized test used as a college entrance exam. Colleges and universities use a student’s ACT score, along with GPA, extracurricular activities, and high school involvement to determine if they wish to accept the student’s application for admission. ACT provides students assistance in test prep, college planning, financial aid, and choosing a college major.
See this guide for Using Your ACT Results.
Find more information about the ACT Test here.
ACT Testing Dates
Please follow this link for the most up-to-date listing of ACT Testing Dates.
SAT
The SAT is a college admissions test that shows colleges what a student knows and how well that knowledge can be applied. It tests a student’s knowledge of reading, writing and math — subjects that are taught every day in high school classrooms.
Find more information about the SAT Test here. (More resources provided below.)
Find steps to receive SAT test accommodations.
SAT Testing Dates
Please follow this link for the most up-to-date listing of SAT Testing Dates.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACT and SAT
DSA students may take either the ACT (math, science, English, reading) or the SAT (critical reading and writing), or both.
Helpful articles to determine which test to take:
SAT Test Prep: The College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to make comprehensive, best-in-class SAT prep materials open and free. Local options exist, too.
ACT Academy is ACT's new program to give each student an individualized learning plan, tailored to that individual's needs.
Compare ACT and SAT scores: Use this chart to find the relationship between ACT and SAT scoring, as well as more links to information about the differences and similarities between the ACT and the SAT tests.
TEST PREPARATION PARTNERSHIP
DSA partners with Revolution Prep to offer families more formal test prep services – test preparation courses, group classes, private tutoring, and online courses for the SAT and ACT standardized achievement tests.
See details here.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTING
AP What to Bring Student Letter – information on day of exam
AP Calculator Policy – which calculators are acceptable for use
For answers to AP testing questions, please contact College Counselors Sarah Jimenez (sarah.jimenez@divinesavioracademy.com) or Tom Welch (tom.welch@divinesavioracademy.com).
GENERAL TESTING LINKS
How to Help Students Cope With Test Anxiety – Ease the stress of test-taking with these tips.
