High school students who plan to apply to college may elect to take the Practice ACT and PSAT tests as part of the college preparation process. Information about these exams is provided below. More information is available from the Guidance Office.
Practice ACT
The Practice ACT Test will be given from 7:45 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, in Rooms 121 and 127. Students should arrive at 7:30 a.m.
All college-bound sophomores should register for the practice test by Oct. 11. Students can register in the Guidance Office.
The cost is $25. Payment can be made online at myschoolbucks.com under “School Store,” or by cash or check made payable to VCSD. Fee waivers are available for those who meet the income requirements.
Students should bring pencils and a four-function scientific or graphic calculator.
About the test
The Practice ACT test offers sophomores practice for the ACT assessment, and connects you with colleges interested in you.
These curriculum-based tests cover the skills and knowledge that are commonly taught in the nation’s schools and are judged to be important for success in both high school and college. The tests measure what students know and what they are able to do with their knowledge.
The content of the Practice ACT test is closely tied to that of the achievement tests in the ACT, which is broadly used for college entrance and placement decisions. Read more about the ACT
- English: 50 items, 30 minutes
- Mathematics: 40 items, 40 minutes
- Reading: 25 items, 20 minutes
- Science: 30 items, 25 minutes
What’s next
Juniors take the PSAT in October of their junior year. ACT and SAT tests are taken in the spring of the junior year and fall of the senior year.
ACT
Test dates and registration deadlines for the ACT are as follows for the 2023-24 school year:
Register by Aug. 4 for the Sept. 9 exam.
Register by Sept. 22 for the Oct. 28 exam.
Register by Nov. 3 for the Dec. 9 exam.
Register by Jan. 5 for the Feb. 10 exam.
Register by March 8 for the April 13 exam.
Register by May 3 for the June 8 exam.
Register by June 7 for the July 13 exam.
Students may register to take the ACT at act.org.
PSAT
The PSAT will be given from 7:45 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 14, in Rooms 121 and 127. Students should arrive at 7:30 a.m.
All college-bound juniors should register for the practice test by Oct. 4. Students can register in the Guidance Office.
The cost is $25. Payment can be made online at myschoolbucks.com under “School Store,” or by cash or check made payable to VCSD. Fee waivers are available for those who meet the income requirements.
Students should bring pencils and a four-function scientific or graphic calculator.
About the test
The test consists of two scores: Evidence Based Reasoning and Writing and Math. The test will be 2 hours and 45 minutes long.
The PSAT offers valuable benefits for juniors:
- Practice for the SAT
- Completion for scholarships programs
The PSAT/NMSQT offers all high school students who take the test access to Khan Academy, a free online test prep service. Read more about the PSAT/NMSQT
What’s next
Juniors planning to apply to a four-year college should take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring.
SAT
Test dates and registration deadlines for the SAT are as follows for the 2023-24 school year:
Register by July 28 for the Aug. 26 exam.
Register by Sept. 7 for the Oct. 7 exam.
Register by Oct. 5 for the Nov. 4 exam.
Register by Nov. 2 for the Dec. 2 exam.
Register by Feb. 23 for the March 9 exam.
Register by April 19 for the May 4 exam.
Register by May 17 for the June 1 exam.
AP
Testing dates for Advanced Placement tests for the 2023-24 school year are as follows (test dates are subject to change). Please arrive 15 minutes prior.
- May 6, 2024: Chemistry (12 p.m.)
- May 7, 2024: Microeconomics (8 a.m.), Statistics (12 p.m.)
- May 8, 2024: English Literature & Composition (8 a.m.)
- May 9, 2024: Psychology (12 p.m.)
- May 10, 2024: U.S. History (8 a.m.), Macroeconomics (12 p.m.)
- May 13, 2024: Calculus (8 a.m.)
- May 14, 2024: English Language and Composition (8 a.m.)
- May 15, 2024: World History (8 a.m.), Music Theory (12 p.m.)
- May 16, 2024: Biology (12 p.m.)
- May 17, 2024: Physics 1 (12 p.m.)