Testing - ACT, SAT, PSAT, AP

CollegeBoard.org/PSAT

Important Dates: 2025-2026

• August 22– PSAT registration opens in IC
• August 29 – Accommodations Request Deadline (8AM)
• September 19 – Test Registration and Payment Deadline
• October 10 – Attend a mandatory "Digital Readiness Check" during Ac Lab
• October 22 – Test date @ North High

Should you register?

We are often asked about how many students at PNH take the PSAT.  Last school year, we had approximately 90 students register for the exam.  Here are some things to think about as you decide:

• Our district offers the ACT to all students, but if your student thinks they might also choose to take the SAT on their own, the PSAT serves as a practice test for SAT. 
• Students are typically most successful on this test if they have already completed a full year of both Algebra and Geometry. 
• For sophomores, the PSAT is solely practice. Nominated students for the Missouri Scholars Academy could also use this as a qualifying test.
• For juniors only, the PSAT serves as the qualifying test to become a National Merit Semifinalist/Finalist.  To earn this recognition, student's must score in the top 1% of test takers.

If you decide to take the PSAT, how do you register?

Interested junior and sophomore students must be registered through the Infinite Campus PARENT portal no later than Friday, September 19, 2025 by the end of the school day.  The test fee is $20.00 and will be added to the parent portal in Infinite Campus once registration is processed.  

Infinite Campus Instructions for Registration: 

1. Have your PARENT or GUARDIAN log into their Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
2. Click on “More” on the left hand side.
3. Click on “Online Payments.” found under "Quick Links" (If you are on a phone, you will have to turn it horizontally)
4. If you have more than one student in Parkway, please select your student's name under the Parkway Logo.
5. Under “New Items”, select “PNH PSAT Form” It will have a PSAT logo.
6. Complete form and submit.
7. Pay fee under Due Now.*

*Students with obstacles paying for exams electronically, can pay in the bookstore with cash, check, or card. Note: a 3% service fee will be added for credit/debit card payments in the store.

If I have an IEP/504 Plan with testing accommodations, can I get those on the PSAT?

Yes, but this process is not automatic. You must request accommodations by emailing Ms. Hartfield this consent form to release a copy of the current IEP/504 to College Board. The deadline is August 29, 2025 at 8AM. **If your student has already taken a PSAT, SAT or AP exam with approved accommodations, those will remain in place for this exam, as well.

If I decide to test, how can I prepare?

• 2025 PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide (Description of the test, sample questions, and National Merit scholarship competition.)
• What's on the PSAT/NMSQT (Description of test and sample questions.) 
• Khan Academy (Test prep for SAT is the same as prep for PSAT.)
• Bluebook App (During Digital Readiness Session, students will receive instructions on how to access a full length practice exam.)

What will I need on test day?

• Fully-charged Parkway Chromebook & its charger
• Login information for Bluebook
• Photo ID (If you are not a Parkway North student)
• optional writing utensil (for scratch paper that will be provided)
• optional PSAT-approved calculator  (there will be one embedded in the exam)
• optional light jacket, sweatshirt, or hoodie
• optional water bottle and snack (only for break that must be placed under your table)

Questions? Reach out to Katie Hartfield at khartfield@parkwayschools.net

MYACT.ORG

The ACT is a standardized exam generally taken junior or senior year (after completion of Algebra 2) and used for admissions / scholarship programs for some colleges or universities. Students, however, can choose to take the exam whenever they feel ready. Click on the above button to register or learn more about the ACT.

Costs:

• The ACT costs $68 for the standard exam of English, Math, and Reading
• There is an additional add on fee for writing ($25) and science ($4)
  • Check with your college or university to see if either of these are required. We suggest taking the science and not taking the writing exam.
  • Fee waivers are available to students that have free or reduced lunch benefits. The maximum fee waivers allowed by ACT is two waivers. See Ms. Hartfield for a waiver.

Testing Day and Location:

• Students will choose their testing location when they are registering. NOTE: There are more testing locations available when students select PAPER exams.
• Parkway North typically only hosts the October and February exams.
• Students are responsible for bringing their printed admissions ticket, photo ID, #2 pencil, and calculator to the exam.

Accommodations:

• MUST be requested during registration. See criteria for ACT accommodations HERE.
• You can also call 319-337-1332 to speak to ACT about accommodations.

Questions? Reach out to Katie Hartfield at khartfield@parkwayschools.net

On Tuesday, March 10th, juniors are scheduled to take the District ACT or WorkKeys at North High. Check-in will take place in the Commons starting at 7:15AM, testing will begin at 7:35AM, and testing will conclude at 11:35AM. Students that arrive late will not be allowed to test, so it is important that all students arrive at school on time on this date. There are no make-ups scheduled for these exams.

This day will be a half day and all students taking the standard ACT will be released at 11:35AM to go home. Since it is a half day, lunch will not be provided, but we will provide snacks. Students with extended time will be released at approximately 12:30PM. There will be transportation available.

The only items that students will need on test date are:

• photo ID (school or state ID)
• two, sharpened #2 pencils with erasers (non-mechanical)
• ACT-approved calculator with working batteries
• optional non-smart watch (must be removed from your wrist & placed on desk.)
• optional snack and water bottle that may only be accessed during break

(There will be some pencils and calculators available for students to borrow.)

Please review the Information for Examinees for what to expect and practice materials. All students taking the ACT will be tested on English, Math, Reading, and Science. We will not be taking the Writing section.

Students will receive instructions for setting up their ACT profile via their Parkway email accounts from “Parkway Assessments” on Friday, February 20. Most students will set up their profile / register in AC Lab. If they did not complete it or they do not have AC Lab, they must do this by March 4th. Please send students with questions to the counseling office.

NOTE: Students that are taking the WorkKeys did not have to register online for this exam. These students will need their Parkway Chromebook for test day.

Katie Hartfield
College & Career Counselor
khartfield@parkwayschools.net

These exams will take place on March 10, 2026:

Practice ACT 9th Graders:

• In-person 9th Grade Students will complete a shortened version of the ACT, this comes from the Assessment office, not ACT.
• Students will be tested on English, Math, Reading, and Science.
• Paper Copies of Test
• Online entry of scores (Google forms)
• Will NOT receive results day of. Results will be returned to students on March 11th via e-mail.

PreACT for 10th Graders:

• Paper/Pencil test that is multiple choice
• Should take about 130 minutes
• Career suggestions based on student goals and interests are provided based on answers to the Student Profile and Interest Inventory
• Aligned with the ACT 1-36 score scale, PreACT (scored 1-35) provides predicted score ranges for the ACT Subject and Composite scores and also provides a STEM score
• Students keep booklets
• Plan on providing students with paper copies of results

Questions? Reach out to Sabrina Cosey-Davis at scosey-davis@parkwayschools.net.

Collegeboard.org/SAT

While most of our students choose to take the ACT, we do have some students that choose to take the SAT. If a college or university requires a standardized test score, they do not have any preference on which you submit between ACT or SAT (regardless of geographical location). The Parkway School District does not currently host SAT testing and there are few locations in the St. Louis area. Click above button to register!

Who Should Choose SAT over ACT? (Compass)

Costs:

• The SAT costs $68 for the standard exam of Reading, Writing, and Math
  • Fee waivers are available to students that have free or reduced lunch benefits. The maximum fee waivers allowed by College Board is two waivers. See Ms. Hartfield for a waiver code.

Testing Day and Location:

• Students will choose their testing location when they are registering.
• Students are responsible for bringing their printed admissions ticket, photo ID, #2 pencil, calculator, and fully charged device (with Bluebook installed and exam set up on the device) to the exam.

Accommodations:

• MUST be requested during registration. See criteria for College Board accommodations HERE.
• You can also call 844-255-7728 to speak to College Board about accommodations.

MYAP.collegeboard.org

Tips for Creating a College Board Account

AP Exam Registration Instructions

What is an AP Course and Exam?:

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level courses offered in high school taught by a high school teacher.
• Students have the option to take AP Exams at the end of the course, measuring their mastery of college-level work.
• Students can earn college credit and/or placement into honors or advanced courses when they score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam. Highly selective colleges may require a higher score on the exam.
• Students are never required to take an AP exam, however, they CANNOT earn college credit if they do not take the exam and score high enough. 
• Some (but not all) of our AP courses are also offered as dual credit and do not require the AP exam for credit. Your teacher will give you specific information on the options that you will have.
• AP Credit Policy Search (Colleges also have this on their individual website.)

Our AP Courses: (Changes each year due to enrollment and availability)

• Arts: 2-D Art and Design, Drawing, Music Theory
• English: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition
• History and Social Sciences: African American Studies, European History, Human Geography, Psychology, United States Government and Politics, World History: Modern
• Mathematics and Computer Science: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Statistics
• Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics 1: Algebra-Based, Physics 2: Algebra-Based, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics
• World Languages and Cultures: French Language and Culture, Spanish Language and Culture 

Important PNH AP Dates and Deadlines 2025-2026):

• November 1, 2025: Registration and Payment Deadline
• December 19, 2025: Accommodation Request Deadline (Email this consent form to Ms. Hartfield)
• March 1, 2026: Second Semester Course Registration and Payment Deadline
  • Students can also order first semester / full year exams by this deadline, but there will be a $40 late fee added.
• May 4-15: Testing Exam Window

Exam Costs & Payment Instructions

• $100 (Reduced rates available for students with free or reduced lunch.)
• $40 additional late fee if you order a first semester or full year exam after November 1.
• $40 cancellation fee if you cancel your exam after March 1.

NEW THIS YEAR: Students that register for their exam in their MyAP account for their exam by Thursday, will have a payment posted to their Infinite Campus account the following Monday. There will not be a form to fill out in IC like previous years.

Infinite Campus Payment Directions:

1. Have your PARENT or GUARDIAN log into their IC account. 
2. Click on “More” on the left hand side.
3. Click on “Online Payments.”
4. Select your name under the Parkway Logo.
5. Under “New Items”, select and pay for your exam(s).

Questions? Reach out to Katie Hartfield at khartfield@parkwayschools.net

FREE

• NEW: Full Length Practice ACT Exams
• ACT Academy (Includes practice exams, sample online class, and study guides.)
• FREE ACT Practice Resource Guide (Downloadable PDF with various study methods.)
• FREE ACT Practice Resources
• UMSL Bridge to the ACT (Summer program for rising seniors that have taken the ACT before.)
• Parkway / Maryville Summer Program (Includes ACT Prep)
• Varsity Tutors (One free trial class for ACT or SAT.)
• SAT Build Your Study Plan (SAT and PSAT)
• Khan Academy (SAT and PSAT)
• Kaplan (PSAT)

Fee-Based

• Parkway Tutoring and Test Prep List

Testing Tips

• ACT Test Taking Tips
• ACT Vocabulary