Centennial High School Testing Schedule

PSAT/NMSQT

Centennial High School sophomores and juniors have the opportunity to participate in the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The PSAT exam is not a required test.  The PSAT is a standardized test offered by the school district and administered by the College Board and co-sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 

This standardized test provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test.  Scores from the PSAT are used to select the top students nationwide to compete for scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship programs. This nationally standardized test allows students to compare their performance with other college bound students.  This test measures critical reading skills, math problem solving skills, and writing skills and provides the opportunity for students to experience a college entrance test in a practice setting.  Following the test, students receive feedback about their performance on these critical academic skills.  Students also have the opportunity to receive information from colleges.

This is not a required test.

2024 EXAM INFORMATION

Test Date: October 17 (Note: This is Thursday of the MEA break.)

Time: Students should arrive at 8:00am; exam will begin at 8:30am. The test is two hours and 45 minutes and consists of three tests: Reading, Writing, and Math.

Location: Students will test at Centennial High School; report to Student Union

Who: Students in grades 10 and 11 who want to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program self-select or may be encouraged to take this exam.  It is also recommended that any student in grade 11 who expects to go to college take the exam as preparation for future nationally-normed standardized tests (SAT or ACT, for example), which are administered later in the junior year.

Registration deadline: Students and families can begin to register Monday, August 19, 2024.  The final registration deadline is Friday, September 6, 2024 at 3:00pm. 

How do I register and pay for the exam?

• Log in to your parent portal account online or through the Parent Portal App on your mobile device (registration is under the "Testing" tab).
• You may find these screenshots helpful when registering for the exam. 
• Cost: $40. Students and families enrolled in the Educational Benefits Program qualify for a free exam. 

Students with an IEP/504 requesting accommodations

Note: If requesting accommodations you need to register by the 8/26/24 College Board accommodation deadline and email bfuller@isd12.org in order for the request to be considered.

Questions?

Please contact your counselor or:

• Dana Hanson via email or phone, 763-792-5206
• Ben Fuller via email

PSAT/NMSQT Resources:  

• College Board PSAT/NMSQT Website - visit the website for additional resources and information
• October 2023 student exam scores will be released online in December, 2023.  Students will be able to view their 2023 PSAT/NMSQT exam scores by signing in to their online College Board account.
• College Board will also send an email to students when their PSAT/NMSQT scores are available online with instructions on creating a College Board account, accessing the online score report and using the access code to view their scores.
• If a student does not have an online College Board account, the student should create a College Board account when they receive the email that scores are ready and use the access code from the email to view their scores.  Students can also contact their counselor if they need assistance with getting their access code.
• A student may already have an online College Board account if they have previously taken an Advanced Placement or CLEP exam and can log in to their existing account to view their PSAT/NMSQT score.
• For more information, visit the College Board PSAT/NMSQT Scores website.

Date: April 9, 2025

The ACT is the leading US college admissions test, measuring what you learn in high school to determine your academic readiness for college. The ACT plus Writing is offered to all 11th grade students and 12th grade students that have not been offered the test previously. Four skill areas are covered in the test: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The writing portion of the test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

Date: January 29 - March 22 (Grades 9-12)

• ACCESS for ELL is a state required assessment used to measure English language proficiency based on Minnesota Standards for English Language Development and to meet the requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students will be assessed in the areas of Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The length of each test is: Reading – up to 60 minutes, Writing – up to 90 minutes, Listening – up to 65 minutes, Speaking – up to 50 minutes.
• Alternate ACCESS for ELL is an individually administered English language proficiency assessment developed specifically for English learners who have significant cognitive disabilities severe enough to prevent meaningful participation in the ACCESS assessment. Students will be assessed in the areas of Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The length of each test is: Reading – up to 20 minutes, Writing – up to 20 minutes, Listening – up to 20 minutes, Speaking – up to 20 minutes. 

Dates:
Reading: April 9 (Grade 10)
Math: March 25-26 (Grade 11)
Science: March 25-26 (Grades 10-12)

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test is the state determined test used in schools to measure student achievement in the areas of reading, math, and science. Students in the 10th grade will be administered the MCA Reading. Students in the 11th grade will be administered the MCA Math. Students currently enrolled in a Life Science course will be administered the MCA Science. State tests are given to students in a district once a year, based on their grade level and subject area. These tests help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements.

Date: Math, Reading & Science: March 4 - May 3 (Grades 9-12)

The Minnesota Test of Academic Skills is an alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. It is a performance-based assessment administered and scored by the test administrator using a script and a task-specific scoring rubric. The MTAS is used to measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and meet the requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). MTAS Reading is given to students in grade 10. MTAS Math is given to students in grade 11. MTAS Science is given to students currently in a Life Science class. Test administration times will vary for each student, and the state does not provide estimated test administration times for the MTAS. Results will be mailed home in late August or early September.

Advanced Placement Exams 

Student Exam Fee Required – please see your counselor with questions.

• AP Biology - May 5
• AP Microeconomics - May 5
• AP US Government and Politics - May 6
• AP Chemistry - May 6
• AP Human Geography - May 6
• AP English Lit and Comp. - May 7
• AP Computer Science - May 7
• AP World History - May 8
• AP Stats - May 8
• AP US History - May 9
• AP Macroeconomics - May 9
• AP Calc AB and BC - May 12
• AP Psychology - May 16