• ASVAB: Typically we give the ASVAB to juniors in the fall.  You can sign up to take it as early as your sophomore year, just ask.  This test is a good one to take to explore your strengths and career interests.  It is given by the military and scores are used to determine what job you will qualify if you chose a career in the military.  It is also good career information even if you are not planning on going into the military.  This test will be offered during the school day 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.  

​

​

​

​

• PSAT-NMSQT: Typically we give PSAT to juniors in the fall.  You can sign up to take it as early as your sophomore year.  It is good practice for the SAT or ACT.  In fact that is what acronym PSAT stands for "practice or preliminary" SAT.  Scores from you junior year only may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program.  This is a national test.  It is given on specific date across the country.  There is a cost of about $14 to take the PSAT.  PSAT-NMSAT scores are typically made available in December.  See the PSAT website for details.  

​

​

​

​

• South Dakota's State Assessments: Assessments in English Language Arts and Math are given to all juniors.  This is the state's assessment of learning.  The testing platform the state uses is Smarter Balanced Assessment.  You have taken this before, but you haven't had to take it since 8th grade.  The scores that you get on SBA are also used to determine your placement in college courses and readiness for college.  It is smart to take it seriously.  

​

​

​

​

• 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 of the time the test is offered 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 free app and and an ACT prep course on their website.  There is a cost to their ACT prep class on their site.  Students that have put the time into it have seen increased test scores.  There are other ACT prep sites out there.  Be cautious of ones that charge a fee.  There are plenty of free ones out there.  If you have any questions about a program, feel free to ask me and we can research it together to see if it is worth it.  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. 

​

​

​

​​

 

 

​

 

​

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

• SAT: Very similar to the ACT, the SAT is used to predict your readiness for college.  Colleges on the east coast and west coast tend to require the SAT in stead of the ACT.  The SAT is another test that you sign up for on your own.  We are not a testing site for the ACT.  If you would like to take the SAT, I'd be glad to help you figure out how to sign up.  Just ask!  See the SAT website for details. Method Test Prep will help prepare for SAT as well!

​

​

​

 

 

​

​

• 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 at most colleges in our area.  NOTE: There are other AP classes that you can take online, but currently we only offer AP English at GHS in the traditional classroom setting.  It you are interested in other AP courses and the online options, see Mrs. Pliska for details.  There is a cost of about $94 to take the AP Exam.  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 here 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. 

​

​

​

​

​

• 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.

​

​

​

​

​

• 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 in to 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.