ACT 2026 (Juniors)

Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Location: Helena High School

Time: Student check in time is 7:50 AM and testing should be complete by 1:00 PM

The ACT will be online (not paper and pencil).

Students who do not have a Chromebook or personal computer should contact Mrs. TeNyenhuis immediately to get on the list for a computer.

Please note: Students on an IEP or 504 may take the test at a different time and location. Communication from your child’s case manager regarding specific testing details will follow in the coming weeks.

YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED IF YOU ARE LATE!

School is mandatory, as usual, for all high school juniors on April 8. If your student is a junior, please be sure they arrive at school in time to be seated in their testing room by 8:15 a.m.

April 8^th have your student bring:

-Fully charged, school-issued, chromebook with charging cable!

-Photo ID (school ID or drivers license)

-Pencil or pen (we will provide scratch paper)

-Approved calculator (see list below)

April 8^th what NOT to bring:

-CELL PHONES OR ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES (including watches that connect to the internet and Meta glasses)

-Backpacks

-Food/Drink (we will provide during designated breaks)

-Reading Materials

-Hats

-Watches

**Please be aware that we will confirm with each student before they enter their testing room that they do not have an electronic device. If they bring a device, we will be holding it until the end of the test.

Although calculators are not required for the math test, they are allowed. We will NOT be providing back up calculators for students who do not bring one for the test.

The Calculator Policy is attached: https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT-calculator-policy.pdf

**Using a TI-89 is the most common reason students are dismissed from the ACT for prohibited calculator use.**

**Most students use the TI-83 or TI-84 for testing and can check a calculator out from their math teacher prior to the test.

Important Reminders:

Students need to be in their seats by 8:15AM. YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED IF YOU ARE LATE! Doors will open at 7:50A.M. Testing should be complete by 1:30 P.M.
Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during the test, this includes breaks! Any student found with a cell phone will be dismissed from the test. This can jeopardize the scores of all other students testing. Please leave cell phones in vehicle, at home or in lockers.

Difference between ACT and SAT

If you have individual testing questions, please contact the appropriate testing coordinator at HHS:

ACT Testing Coordinator and Administrator:

ACT 504 Accommodations: Joe Michaud jmichaud@helenaschools.org

ACT Special Education Accommodations: Merren Marks mmarks@helenaschools.org

ACT Prep

Sylvan Learning- ACT Prep Course Schedule February-March 2026

SylvanPrep Online2022

Sylvan ACT 5-Hour Strategies Seminar- March 24th & March 25th. ACT5-hourSeminar

https://tn.actonline.act.org/client/index.html

Do not enter username or password

Under the username and password there is a link called “Practice Tests.”

Various Free Online Options

o www.actstudent.org

o www.testprepreview.com

o www.number2.com

o www.princetonreview.com/college/free-act-practice-test.aspx

o www.kahnacademy.org

o www.4tests.com

Pre-ACT 2026 (Sophomores)

Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Location: Helena High School

ACT Why and How It Matters

The test will be given to all sophomores on Wednesday, April 8. Students will need to be at school no later than 8:15 a.m. that day so we can make sure they are in the gym, or assigned testing rooms if they are testing with an accommodation. Students will be released for the day after the testing is completed, no later than 11:30 a.m., unless, again, they have an accommodated testing situation. If a student is late, they will not be let into the testing room once the testing has started, please help them be on time that day. Once testing starts, students will not be able to leave the building until they are finished. If they have appointments, etc. scheduled for that day in the morning, they will not be allowed to leave or come back to attend those. Cell phones and smart watches are not permitted on testing day, we encourage students to either leave those at home or in their car or locker. A phone going off during a testing session will invalidate the tests of all students in the room. 

Attention SOPHOMORE PARENTS:

We are excited to be able to give our sophomore students the opportunity to practice for the ACT by taking the pre-ACT this spring!

Who: All Sophomore students

What: Pre-ACT test

When: Wednesday, April 8th

Where: HHS Gym (unless otherwise notified) 

School entry: Please enter through the main entrance and go right into the gym. Students will not have access to any other part of the building this day. 

Testing format: The pre-ACT is pencil/paper this year.  All testing pre-registration will take place on Monday, March 23 during English.

Timetable: Students must check in no later than 8:15 am.  Testing will begin promptly at 8:30 am (late students will not be permitted) and should be completed no later than 11:30 am

What to bring: Sharpened #2 pencils, approved calculator, sweatshirt, picture ID.  We will be providing snacks and water during designated breaks. 

Advanced Placement Testing

Advanced Placement (AP) courses offer students the opportunity to get a head start on college while in the supportive environment of a high school classroom. Students can earn college credit or placement by taking the AP exam at the end of the school year, while at the same time achieving a higher level of learning.

Your AP scores could earn you college credit or advanced placement (meaning you could skip certain courses in college). Use this tool to find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores. View the AP Credit Policy here.

Taking an AP exam is optional, but we encourage students to consider the opportunity.

If you have any questions regarding AP Exam registration and payment, please contact Helena High’s AP Coordinator: Ellaina Staldine,406-324-2224, estaldine@helenaschools.org

More information regarding testing dates, locations and expectations are communicated to students as the AP Exam date nears.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR AP EXAM: NOVEMBER 1^st.

Dear Parent/Guardian & Student,

We are excited that you have chosen to take on the challenge of an Advanced Placement (AP) course. AP courses offer students the opportunity to get a head start on college while in the supportive environment of a high school classroom. Students can earn college credit or placement by taking the AP exam at the end of the school year, while at the same time achieving a higher level of learning.

Taking an AP exam is optional, but we strongly encourage students to consider the opportunity.

If interested in sitting for an AP exam, please review the steps below to ensure that you are successfully registered for your AP exam(s).

Step 1: Join your AP class on CollegeBoard

Log into the CollegeBoard MyAP site at http://myap.collegeboard.org using your CollegeBoard profile and apply the ‘Join Code’ (access code) you received from your teacher for each of your subjects. Join Codes are subject, teacher and class period specific.

CollegeBoard profiles are the same accounts used to collect prior year PSAT/NMSQT® or AP® Exam scores. Do not create a new account if you already have one.

If you have never created a CollegeBoard account, create one by clicking on ‘Create Account’ on http://myap.collegeboard.org.

Once you have joined the online AP Class group, you will be prompted to complete the MyAP Registration Profile pages. Be sure to use your full legal name when setting up your profile.

Step 2: Pay your exam fee online at https://helenaschools.revtrak.net/. Deadline to register and pay is November 1. After Nov. 1st, a $40 late fee is added until March 1st. No exams can be ordered after March 1st.

The cost of each exam is $50. Partial fee waivers are available for students who are on free/reduced lunch. If eligible, you will select to apply the waiver in the payment portal on Revtrak.

*Exams ordered after the November 1st deadline are subject to a $40 late add fee.

*Exams cancelled after November 1st are subject to a $40 cancellation fee.

Step 3: Confirm registration for exams in MyAP.

Log into your CollegeBoard account at: http://myap.collegeboard.org. Once in MyAP click “Register for Exam” for each class section you are enrolled in. From the next screen, select either “Confirm Registration” (if you’re taking the exam), or “No”, if you will not be taking the AP exam for that subject.

If you have any questions regarding AP Exam registration and payment, please contact Helena High’s AP Coordinator:

Ellaina Staldine 406-324-2224 estaldine@helenaschools.org

More information regarding testing dates, locations and expectations will be communicated as we near the AP Exam dates.

Parents may find more information about the AP program and exams by visiting: https://parents.collegeboard.org/college-board-programs/advanced-placement-program

FAQs:

How can I earn college credit through AP®?

If you take the AP® exam in May, you potentially can earn college credit by earning a score of a 3, 4, or 5 or the exam. To determine what score you will need for a particular college, check out the College Board’s website at AP® Credit Search

What if I miss the November 1st deadline to submit fees?

It is CRUCIAL to meet the deadline so that we may secure a test for you. However, we are able to register students late, but a $40 late fee will be applied.

Can I cancel my exam?

Refunds/Cancellation: Students who submit a cancellation request by November 1st, 2022 will receive a full refund of exam fees submitted. To cancel, please email estaldine@helenaschools.org. If you cancel after November 1st, a $40 cancellation fee will be applied to your refund.

Can I change when I take the exam?

Exam times are set by The CollegeBoard. All AP Exams must be taken only at the times established by The CollegeBoard. If need arises to test at a later date, you will need to notify Mrs. Staldine at estaldine@helenaschools.org as soon as possible. A $40 late test fee may apply depending on the reason for requesting the late test date.

**Please look at your Spring sports and extra-curricular calendars for potential conflicts with the AP Calendar available at:

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/exam-calendar

PSAT:

Date: October 9-12th 2025