Testing

ACT

Test Date Registration Deadline Late Fee Deadline
September 14, 2019 August 16, 2019 August 30, 2019
October 26, 2019 September 20, 2019 October 4, 2019
December 14, 2019 November 8, 2019 November 22, 2019
February 8, 2020 January 10, 2020 January 17, 2020
April 4, 2020 February 28, 2020 March 13, 2020
June 13, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 22, 2020
July 18, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 26, 2020

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.

SAT

Test Date Registration Deadline Late Fee Deadline
August 24, 2019 July 26, 2019 August 13, 2019
October 5, 2019 September 6, 2019 September 24. 2019
November 2, 2019 October 3, 2019 October 22, 2019
December 7, 2019 November 8, 2019 November 26, 2019
March 14, 2020 February 14, 2020 March 3, 2020
May 2, 2020 April 3, 2020 April 21, 2020
June 6, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 27, 2020

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.

PSAT

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a great tool for students considering college. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills. Wayzata High School recommends that students take the PSAT/NMSQT in order to receive feedback about strengths and weaknesses, enter the competition for National Merit Scholar scholarships (11th graders) and to help prepare for the SAT. While the PSAT is a qualifying exam for juniors, those freshmen and sophomores looking for early data on strengths or weaknesses, or who are interested in a "risk-free" practice opportunity on a standardized test may also register for the exam.

Wayzata High School will administer the PSAT exam to all registered students on Wednesday, October 16.   The test will be administered during the school day and students will receive a "School Authorized" absence from Block 1, 2 and 3.

For the 2019 PSAT/NMSQT, students at Wayzata High School will register online through Total Registration.  This registration will take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer with internet access.  The online registration is done through the same site used for AP test registration and past PSAT exams, so students who have taken AP exams or the PSAT at WHS will already have an account established on Total Registration. 

PSAT registration is now open and will close on Friday, October 11, 2019. Students should go to www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/242650 to register. To complete registration, students must answer all of the required questions. Registration is not complete until students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end.

Total Registration offers families the convenience of paying PSAT exam fees online at the time of registration. Please be sure to have a debit or credit card available before beginning registration. Paying online is a great way to make sure that payment has been made while avoiding mailing payment, but there is also an option to pay by check.

Please contact Amy Swenson, amy.swenson@wayzataschools.org,  if you have questions or require financial assistance.

 

Aspire

Students in grade 9 take the Aspire, a product by ACT. Information on the Aspire can be found online at www.discoveractaspire.org.

how to interpret scores

Advanced Placement (AP)

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.

Advanced Placement at Wayzata High School

Test Preparation

Test Preparation

Wayzata Public Schools Community Education offers ACT/SAT prep courses through ZAPS.

The Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) also has a comprehensive test preparation component. Once a student has created an account in MCIS they are able to take three ACT and three SAT practice tests online for free. Please contact the College and Career Center for login information at 763-745-6639 or Deb.Musser@wayzataschools.org.

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

Test Anxiety

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.