ACT, Advanced Placement, and PSAT/NMSQT Information
ACT 2023
Date: April 11th, 2023
Location: Helena High School
Time:
Doors open @ 8:00am
Need to be set in seat @ 8:15am
YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED IF YOU ARE LATE!
On April 11, Helena Public Schools will administer the ACT to all juniors. The ACT serves as Montana’s statewide high school assessment exam under the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA). The ACT is also a national college admission exam that measures college-preparedness in the areas of English, math, reading, science, and writing.
This year, the Montana Office of Public Instruction is mandating that the test be offered in an online format only, whereas previously the ACT was a paper-and-pencil test. No paper-and-pencil tests can be offered for this testing date at this time.
The new format will require much of our high school staff to assist on testing day, either as proctors (ACT requires at least three staff proctors per testing room) or to provide technical support. In addition, the test must be administered on the district’s secure computer server, which creates logistical challenges in terms of testing locations and the availability of computer bandwidth for regular classes. The testing will require the use of all three district high schools: Capital High, Helena High and PAL.
As a result, school attendance will be optional on Tuesday, April 11, for 9th, 10th, and 12th grade students.
School is mandatory, as usual, for all high school juniors on April 11. If your student is a junior, please be sure they arrive at school in time to be seated in their testing room by 8 a.m.
ACT Preparation
- ACTBootCampInformation2023.docx
- A note from the Lewis and Clark Public Library: We have a wonderful resource on the Library website called Peterson’s Test Prep. Students would need to have a library card but if we can help with them getting cards. If you go to the library website and look at the headings, you will see Research. Once you click on that, you will find a list which starts with A-Z List of Databases. Click on that. On that list you will see Peterson’s Test Prep. Click on this and it will take you to the website. In the search box type- ACT Prep. This will bring up a number of headers with ACT information. If you click on the first one, it will show you where you can access practice tests etc. It will ask you to set up an account so you can keep track of your progress. If it takes you to the log-in page, under the log-in is a new user sign-up.
Day of exam have your student bring:
- Photo ID
- Pencils (#2 only)
- Calculator (see list below)
- An extra computer mouse, if you have it.
- A CHARGED CHROMEBOOK WITH CHARGER. If a student does not bring their Chromebook and charger on the day of the test, they will need to go home and return for the makeup day.
Day of exam what NOT to bring:
- CELL PHONES- 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.
- Backpacks
- Food/Drink (we will provide snacks and drinks)
- Reading Materials
- Hats
- Watches (we will project a clock for all students to see)
- **Please be aware that we will confirm with each student before they enter the testing facility that they do not have a cell phone.**
Prohibited Calculators:
- We will NOT be providing back up calculators for students who do not bring one for the test. The following calculators with built in computer algebra systems ARE NOT permitted during the ACT:
- Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92 and the TI-Nspire CAS-Note. *The TI-Nspire (non-CAS is permitted)*
- Hewlett-Packard: HP 48GII and all model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G or HP 50G
- Casio: Algebra fx2.0, ClassPad 300, ClassPad 330 and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G
- Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices. *The Sharp EL 9600 is permitted*
- Calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices
- Calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format) *Letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted*
- **Using a TI-89 is the most common reason students are dismissed from the ACT for prohibited calculator use.**
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- Doors will open at 8:00A.M.
- Students need to be in their seats at 8:10AM.
- YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED IF YOU ARE LATE!
- Students will be done with the test at approximately 1:30-2:00. Busses will run as usual at 3:15.
- If you have any questions, please contact your student’s building administrator for ACT.
COVID-Safety Protocols mandated by the district at the time of testing will be in place during ACT testing, this may include masks, physical distancing, and symptom screening.
If you have individual testing questions, please contact the appropriate testing coordinator at HHS:
ACT Testing Coordinator and Administrator: Willie Schlepp wschlepp@helenaschools.org
ACT 504 Accommodations: Jamie Pandis jpandis@helenaschools.org
ACT Special Education Accommodations: Merren Marks mmarks@helenaschools.org
ACT Self-Paced Prep Program through AHEC:
Looking for some help preparing for the ACT or SAT? Montana AHEC is offering this self-paced course for only $50 (the program usually retails for $299!) Send an email to westyn.kiehn@mtha.org or call him at 406 457 8008 to register.
PSAT:
Date: October 9-12th 2023