District 214 8th Grade Testing and Pre-Registration

Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) is a standard-based English Language Proficiency Test that tests students in the four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. All students in the EL Program must take this test.

Dates: January/February 2024

Locations: BGHS, EGHS, JHHS, PHS, RMHS, WHS, International Newcomer Academy, The Academy at Forest View, Vanguard, and Young Adult Program.

For more information about ACCESS, please visit the links below:

Illinois State Board of Education ACCESS Information

WIDA Consortium ACCESS Information

The ACT measures educational development in the areas of English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. This assessment measures skills necessary for success in post-secondary educational settings, including students’ reasoning abilities and knowledge of subject matter fields. Although all Saturday ACT tests are optional, many post-secondary institutions require the ACT or the SAT. ACT offers an optional 30-minute writing test (ACT+).

Student Population: Predominantly college-bound 11th and 12th grade students.

Register online for the ACT

Township High School District 214 requested to offer testing at the below high schools. If your student requires accommodations for testing under an IEP or 504 plan, contact the special education department in your school at the beginning of the school year.

All test dates are Saturdays.

ACT Test Dates

Test Date: September 9, 2023
Registration Deadline: August 4, 2023
Location(s): EGHS, WHS

Test Date: December 9, 2023
Registration Deadline: November 3, 2023
Location(s): BGHS

Test Date: February 10, 2024
Registration Deadline: January 5, 2024
Location(s): EGHS

Note: There are other ACT dates available that District 214 high schools cannot host due to other school conflicts

SAT vs ACT
What's the difference between the SAT and the ACT? Follow the links listed below to learn how these two college entrance exams differ.

ACT vs. SAT - Which test should I take and why?
How do SAT and ACT scores compare?

More Information

ACT Home Page
ACT Accommodation Information
ACT Test Practice

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are offered for students who have pursued college-level AP courses in the high schools in District 214. Certain score levels on tests may allow students to receive advanced placement and/or credit upon entering college. The AP test is created by the College Board and is a paper test.

Student Population: Students enrolled in AP courses (optional).
Exam Fee: $97 per exam, $145 per exam for AP Seminar or AP Research
Dates: May 6–17, 2024
Times:
Morning Exams begin at 8:00 AM. Please arrive by 7:45 AM. 
Afternoon Exams begin at 12:00 PM. Please arrive by 11:45 AM. 
Locations: Most AP Exams will take place at the student's high school. Some AP exams such as AP Japanese Language are not available at all high schools. Students may have to test at another school in District 214.
Registration: Online Registration and Payment for AP Exams will take place in September and October. Contact the Assessment Center at your high school for specific deadline dates. A $40 late fee will be charged for any students who did not meet the fall registration deadlines.

A $40 College Board cancellation fee will be charged for students who decide not to test, later in the school year.

College Board's AP Exam Information

College Board's 2024 AP Exam Calendar
Contact your high school for paper registration forms, refund requests, and test-day general information.

ASVAB helps students to:

• Identify interests, skills, and work related values
• Match their interests and skills with occupations
• Learn how to get information about careers
• Develop career decision-making skills
  

ASVAB Testing Details

The ASVAB is a free test that helps students identify their career interests and work-related values. ASVAB scores are used to determine if students are qualified to enlist in the military and to be assigned an appropriate job in the military. 

Test Date: TBD

Test Time: 8:00 AM – approximately 11:00 AM

This test is computer-based and self-paced. The test takes an average of 1.5 hours to test, but students will be allowed a max of 3 hours. Students should report back to school after testing.

Test Location: One of the high schools in District 214.

ASVAB Test registration is not open yet. More information will be posted in mid October.

Contact the Assessment Center at your high school if you have questions.

For this administration, ASVAB results will not be sent to recruiters. Students will be responsible for submitting results.

More Information
ASVAB Program

Questions? Call the toll-free number of the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command: 1-800-323-0513.

All District 214 11th grade students will participate in the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). This state required assessment will be administered in school using student iPads and is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards, which were adopted in 2014.

Test Date: March 19, 2024
Location(s): All Schools in District 214

Illinois State Board of Education Information about ISA

PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 are assessments in the College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments. The PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 are guidance resources that help students measure their current academic development, explore AP course options, and assess readiness for college and career options. The new digital assessments will be adaptive, so they can continue to measure the same core Reading, writing, and math knowledge skills much more efficiently. The PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 will help prepare students for the SAT assessment taken during their junior year and are state required assessments. More information about the digital exams can be found on College Board's website: https://satsuite.collegeborad.org/digital

Digital PSAT 8/9
Student Population: Freshmen
Test Date: March 19, 2024
Location(s): All District 214 Schools

Digital PSAT 10
Student Population: Sophomores
Test Date: April 11, 2024
Location(s): All District 214 Schools

Students with testing accommodations that require testing over two days, will complete testing over 2 dates. 

More information about the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 can be found on College Board's website using the links below.

PSAT 8/9 College Board Information

PSAT 10 College Board Information

Digital PSAT/NMSQT, the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test will be adaptive, so it can continue to measure the reading, writing, and math skills needed for college and career. Scores from the PSAT/NMSQT may qualify 11th grade students to be National Merit Scholars. The PSAT/NMSQT is administered during the school day and is optional.

Why take the PSAT/NMSQT?

We encourage high achieving juniors to take the PSAT/NMSQT because it identifies National Merit Scholars and enables students who score at the highest levels to qualify for college scholarships. It allows students to compare their academic skills with those of other college-bound students.

As explained in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide, this optional test has several purposes:

• Entrance into the National Merit competition for Junior students. In order to become a National Merit finalist, students must have a record of consistent high academic performance in all grades 9-11.
• Prediction of college entrance exam scores.
• Measurement of critical reading, mathematics and writing skills important for success in many post-high school educational settings.

Test Date:  October 2023. Your high school will pick a date in October.

Location:  High School student attends

Cost:  $30

Registration: Registration will open in late August

If you have questions, contact the Assessment Center at your high school.

SAT measures the knowledge and skills that research shows are essential for college and career readiness and success. The assessment is composed of Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. 

The SAT with Essay is part of the Illinois State Board of Education required in-school Testing. District 214 also offers SAT National Saturday testing options found below.

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SAT State Testing
Students must take the in-school SAT with Essay to receive a regular high school diploma, unless the student is eligible to take the alternative assessment or otherwise exempt from testing. For more detailed information about the Illinois state requirements, you can view Illinois Public Act 100-0222.

A state-funded Digital SAT with Essay is scheduled for all high school juniors on Thursday, April 11, 2024 and is a graduation requirement.

Students who have an extended time accommodation per their IEP or 504 Plan may be required to test over 2 consecutive days, depending on the type of accommodation.

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Optional Saturday National SAT Testing 

Student Population: Predominantly college-bound 11th and 12th grade students. 

Register online for the National SAT

Township High School District 214 requested to offer testing at the below high schools. 

If your student requires accommodations for testing under an IEP or 504 plan, contact the special education department in your school at the beginning of the school year.

Although optional, the SAT or the ACT is required for admission by many post-secondary institutions.

Saturday National SAT Dates:

Test Date: August 26, 2023
Registration Deadline: July 28, 2023
Location(s): BGHS, PHS

Test Date: October 7, 2023
Registration Deadline: September 7, 2023
Location(s): JHHS

Test Date: December 2, 2023
Registration Deadline: November 2, 2023
Location(s): RMHS

Test Date: March 9, 2024 (Digital SAT)
Registration Deadline: February 23, 2024
Location(s): RMHS, WHS

Note: There are other SAT National dates available that District 214 high schools cannot host due to other school conflicts.

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SAT vs ACT
What's the difference between the SAT and the ACT? Follow the links listed below to learn how these two college entrance exams differ.

ACT vs. SAT - Which test should I take and why?

How do SAT and ACT scores compare?

More Information

College Board's SAT Home Page

National SAT Fees

SAT Accommodation Information

College Board SAT Practice

District 214 Seal of Biliteracy