ACT, Advanced Placement, and PSAT/NMSQT Information

Advanced Placement Testing

AP Credit Policy

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 encourage students to consider the opportunity.

Please review the steps below to ensure that you are registered for your AP exam(s) or that you have communicated your desire to not take an AP exam.

Step 1: Make sure you have joined your AP class on Collegeboard

Log into the College Board MyAP site at http://myap.collegeboard.org using your College Board 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.

College Board 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 College Board account, create one by clicking on ‘Create Account’ on http://myap.collegeboard.org.

All students should complete the Join Step to be able to access the free online resources for their AP® Subject.

Once you have joined the online AP® Class group, you will be prompted to complete the MyAP Registration Profile pages.

Step 2: Complete a quick Google form to communicate if you will or will not be testing.

The form is located at: https://forms.gle/4C1Lz2ZZsK86kUoX9

Please note that if you indicate on the form that you will not be testing, and you change your mind after October 30th, you may be subject to the late order fee of $40.

Step 3: Pay your exam fee online at https://helenaschools.revtrak.net/. Deadline to register and pay is Friday, October 30, 2020.

The cost of each exam is $100, except AP Seminar & AP Research costs $148. 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.

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

What if I miss the October 30th deadline to submit fees?
- It is CRUCIAL to meet the deadline so that we may secure a test for you. However, given the unique circumstances of this year, we will work with students that are not able to pay by the deadline. Please work back with your school counselor if payment of fees creates a financial hardship.
Can I cancel my exam?
- Refunds/Cancellation: Students who submit a cancellation request by November 13th, 2021 will receive a full refund of exam fees submitted. To cancel, please email estaldine@helenaschools.org, be sure to include your name and the title of the exam to cancel.
Can I change when I take the exam?
- Exam times are set by The College Board. Note that AP® Exams must be taken only at the times established by The College Board. If need arises to test at a later date, you will need to notify Mrs. Staldine at estaldine@helenaschools.org. A $40 late test fee may apply depending on the reason for requesting the late test date. The scheduled late-testing dates are May 18-21st. Please look at your Spring sports and extra-curricular calendars for potential conflicts with the AP Calendar below.
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 at one school, use the College Board’s website: AP® Credit Search

2021 AP Exam Calendar

PSAT: October 14, 2020

REGISTRATION: Registration will continue until October 7, 2020 or until testing capacity has been reached. There is a limited number of tests. Visit the RevTrak web site to pay for the exam: https://helenaschools.revtrak.net/

FEE: $20

TEST DAY: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 7:30 AM

TEST LOCATION: Helena High School

STUDY GUIDES: Study guides are now available and can be picked-up outside of the counseling office on the table.

Registration information is communicated to students and parents through the following methods: Daily bulletin, email, website, HHS newsletter, and HHS Reader Board.

For more information about the registration process, please contact the counseling center at 324-2220.

ACT 2021

Difference between ACT and SAT

WHEN: TBD

WHERE: TBD

WHY THE ACT IS IMPORTANT: All students take the ACT Plus Writing exam in April of their junior year. They are automatically registered for the test, so parents and students don’t need to worry about any paperwork, and the test is paid for by Montana Gear Up and the Office of Public Instruction, so a fee is not required. ACT is a National College Admissions exam that tests English, Math, Reading, and Science with an optional Writing section. This is a great opportunity for students to take a college entrance exam, at no cost, during the school day. In addition to general admissions requirements, all colleges require students to meet minimum writing and math competency standards. To enter a 4-year university within the Montana University System, high school graduates are required to meet the following standards:

*Math Proficiency: ACT math score of 22
*Writing Proficiency: ACT English/Writing score of 18 or if they score 19 or higher on the Writing Assessment

See MUS admissions standards website here for more details.

TEST DAY: More details to come.

Students should bring a photo ID, pencils, and (optional) calculator.

Students should not bring any electronic devices (cell phone, iPOD, etc), backpacks, or food/drink. Please leave your cell phone at home or in your locker. You are not allowed to access your phone during breaks, so please don’t bring it with you. Any student found with a phone will be dismissed from the test, and any phone that goes off in the testing room will result in the owner’s exam score being voided and may affect other examinees in the room.

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 to the test. Refer to your study guide or the ACT website for a list of prohibited calculators (link below). Please note that the TI-89 is the most common reason students are dismissed from the ACT for prohibited calculator use.
Prohibited Calculators

TEST PREP: All students will receive test preparation information from their English teacher ahead of the test. Free test prep is also available through many online sources:

AFTER THE ACT: Some students will choose to re-take the ACT and/or take the SAT. Below are the testing dates for exams given over the summer. Please note that students will not have received their scores for the April ACT test in time to know how to specifically prepare for the June ACT test, but taking it in June is an option. Want a basic description of the similarities and differences between the SAT and ACT? Check out this site.

ACT Registration: Click Here

2019-2020 SAT Dates

SAT Registration: Click Here