Testing

Students register for the ACT at actstudent.org. When registering for the ACT, please keep in mind that it can take about 30 minutes. The first step in the registration process is creating a username and password. Make sure you write this information down for future reference. Wayzata's CEEB code is 242650. It is important that the student register for the test as there are questions that only he/she will be able to answer. It may also be helpful to have a transcript handy to answer the questions about classes taken and grades earned. If you have questions regarding registration you can contact ACT at 319-337-1270. 

Sending Your Scores

You will need to have your test scores directly from ACT/SAT as these scores are not listed on your transcript. You can request ACT scores be sent by going to actstudent.org to request official scores be sent (there will be a fee). If you have questions regarding score reports please call ACT at 319-337-1313.

2023-2024 Test Dates

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late registration Deadline
September 9	August 4	August 18
October 28	September 22	October 6
December 9	November 3	November 17
February 10	January 5	January 19
April 13	March 8	March 22
June 8	May 3	May 17
July 13	June 7	June 21

 

Students register for the SAT at https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration.  Before you register make sure you have a photo ready to upload that meets the requirements and a form of payment.

Sending Your Scores

You can request SAT scores be sent by going to collegeboard.org to request official scores be sent (there will be a fee). If you have questions regarding score reports please call SAT 866-756-7346. The CollegeBoard offers a feature called "Score Choice." Score Choice gives you the option to choose which scores (by test date for the SAT and by individual test for SAT Subject Tests™) you send to colleges, in accordance with an institution's stated score-use practice.

2023-2024 Test Dates

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late registration Deadline
August 26	July 28	August 15
October 7	September 7	September 26
November 4	October 5	October 24
December 2	November 2	November 21
March 9	February 23	February 27
May 4	April 19	April 23
June 1	May 16	May 21

Wayzata High School will be administering the PSAT/NMSQT exam during the week of October 16.  The exam will be administered during the school day on either Monday, October 16 or Tuesday, October 17.  Students will be assigned a date and time to complete the exam.  This exam serves as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship competition for high school juniors.   

This year, the College Board is transitioning the PSAT/NMSQT to a digital only format.  Paper/pencil exams will no longer be available.  As a result of this change, the exam will be administered to WHS juniors only.  Sophomores and Freshmen who wish to simulate the exam experience will be able to take several practice PSAT/NMSQT exams at home, in preparation for the exam administration their junior year.  Links to practice exams are provided at the end of this communication.

Students will take the exam on their school issued iPad and will need to have a College Board account.  In addition, students will need to add the testing app to their device.  More information on this will follow in late September once the registration window closes.

Students will use Total Registration to register for this exam. Registration will open on August 22 and will close on September 13 at 11:59 pm.  The cost of the exam is $30. Families seeking a fee waiver should complete the Fee Waiver Request form.  

We will not be able to accommodate any requests after we place our final order and submit the data file to the College Board.  This will happen on September 14 at 8:00 am.

 

Following are some common questions to help you determine if your student should take this exam this fall.

What is the PSAT/NMSQT exam?

Every October, about 1.6 million juniors across the country take the PSAT/NMSQT exam.  High School juniors take this exam in hopes of qualifying as a National Merit Semi-finalist in this national scholarship competition.  

The basic entry requirements for National Merit Semifinalists include:

• earning a PSAT score in the top 1% of all test takers.
• being enrolled as a high school junior and making progress towards graduation.
• having plans to enroll in a full-time college starting the fall following high school graduation. In other words, you can’t postpone college to spend a year abroad, work full-time, and so on.
• being a U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. permanent resident planning to become a U.S. citizen. 

Is the PSAT/NMSQT a practice exam for the SAT?

No.  The PSAT/NMSQT is not a practice SAT exam for students.  This exam is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program. 

 

What is the cut score to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program?

The cut score varies each year, however, the top 1% (usually about 13,000-16,000 students nationally) are identified as National Merit Semifinalists. Semifinalists may go on to apply for Finalist status and potentially win scholarship money.  In 2022, the national cut-score was 207 and the cut-score for the state of MN was 216.  In 2022, approximately 270 Minnesota students were named as semi-finalists.

The top 3-4% of scores are named Commended Scholars. They are not able to move forward in the scholarship competition. 

 

Do I have to take the SAT if I am identified as a Semi-Finalist?

Yes, if you want to move on in the competition.

 

How should I prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT exam?  

There are several test preparation companies that have invested many hours into a comprehensive understanding of the College Board’s transition to the digital PSAT/NMSQT. 

One overview that provides quite a bit of insight is available at Compass Prep. College Board also has a dedicated page [refer to the PSAT/NMSQT heading] with additional information and practice links.  Khan Academy has also released an initial set of practice materials.

 

Will I be able to use my accommodations on the PSAT/NMSQT?

Yes!  All accommodations that have been approved by the College Board will be embedded into the student’s digital exam.  This includes extended timing, stop the clock breaks, audio, and enhanced visuals.  Students should be advised that they will NOT be able to change or refuse accommodations on the day of the exam.  This means, if you are approved for time and one half, and finish a section before time is called, you will need to sit until the time runs out on that section before moving on.  This is also true for students who have been approved for double time.  If you no longer wish to use an approved accommodation, you should meet with your guidance counselor or case manager ASAP to put in a change request to the College Board.

Accommodation requests are due by the end of August.

 

How long will the exam take?

The digital exam is shorter than the paper/pencil version of the test.  The exam time is 2 hours.  In addition, plan for an additional 30 minutes for administration related tasks (seating, distribution and collection of materials, etc).

AP enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Through 30+ college-level courses, each culminating in a rigorous exam, AP provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit and/or advanced placement. Taking AP courses also demonstrates to college admission officers that students have sought out the most rigorous curriculum available to them.

Wayzata High School offers 32 courses. The only requirements are a strong curiosity about the subject you plan to study and the willingness to work hard. AP Exams represent the culmination of AP courses and are thus an integral part of the program.

Wayzata High School's College and Career Center maintains a library of ACT and SAT preparation books that students can check out and use for two weeks. These books will have practice tests and lessons on various items on the test.

ACT, SAT and General Test Preparation

• ACT Test Prep
• SAT Study Guide
• Practice SAT Test
• 5,000 Free Vocabulary Words
• March2Success
• Number Two
• Test Prep Preview
• Varsity Tutors Practice Tests

Wayzata Public Schools provides a model disclaimer for their vetted list of resources: “This list is of known providers of a particular service. The providers on the list are from a variety of sources. The list is being provided as a courtesy, for information only, and the user should understand that no assurances or guarantees regarding the providers on the list are being made by providing this list. Wayzata Public Schools neither endorses, approves, nor recommends any specific provider listed above. This list is not inclusive of all community agencies, services or organizations that provide the particular service, and the omission of an agency, service or organization from this list does not imply disapproval. It is the responsibility of the user of this list to determine whether any of the content is of value to them and whether or not the agency, service or organization meets their specific needs.”

Test Anxiety

• Test Anxiety Tips

Tips for Taking a Standardized Test

1. Carefully read all instructions/directions.
2. Carefully read each question.
3. Pace yourself. Don't spend too much time on a single passage or question.
4. Use a soft lead Number 2 pencil with a good eraser; do not use a mechanical pencil, ink pen or correction fluid.
5. Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones.
6. On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining.
7. Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.
8. Review your work. If you finish a test before time is up, go back and check your work.
9. Mark your answers neatly. If you erase, erase completely and cleanly without smudging.