Testing
SAT and ACT Test
The SAT and ACT are entrance exams used by some colleges and universities to make admission decisions. The purpose is to measure a high school student's readiness for college. Typically, the higher the score, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you. However, as of Spring 2022, most Washington colleges no longer require high school seniors to take standardized tests, like the SAT or ACT, for admission.
MHS does not currently offer SAT testing, so students will need to find the nearest SAT testing center. Search for a testing center here.
ACTs are also not offered at MHS at this time, to find the nearest testing location please visit this link or call 319-337-1270.
If you do decide to take the SAT or ACT, Monroe's CEEB Code is 480725. You will need this number when registering for either test.
PSAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is part of College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments. Primarily taken by 11th grade students. Unlike the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT is not used for college admissions. Instead this test provides practice for the SAT and helps students gauge their college and career readiness. Additionally, it’s used to qualify students for the National Merit program, which can provide students with different scholarship opportunities for college.
National Merit Scholarship Program
The top 1% of PSAT test takers (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. The top 3-4% of scores are named Commended Scholars. They are not able to move forward in the scholarship competition.
PSAT Accommodations
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 mid-September each year.
How to Sign Up
Students can only sign up for PSAT exams by paying for it at the MHS finance office with cash or check. The cost is $25. Once students have paid for the exam they must email a copy of their receipt to pelayoa@monroe.wednet.edu
Time/Location
This school year, the PSAT/NMSQT exam will be offered on October 23rd. The exam will commence promptly at 8:15 a.m. Students must check in at the Library at 8 a.m. Non-MHS students need to arrive at 7:50 and check in at the main office.
Tech
College Board uses the Bluebook app for the PSAT/NMSQT exam and practice testing. It is already downloaded into all district-issued Chromebooks. For testing, students have the option to use their own district-issued Chromebook or they will have the option to use one of the Chromebooks available for testing. Students who choose to use their own Chromebooks must make sure they are fully charged.
Preparing for the PSAT Exam
Students can access a full-length practice test on College Board. Visit this page for more information. Khan Academy also has practice materials.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
AP courses enable students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Through 15+ college-level courses, each culminating in a rigorous exam, AP courses provide 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.
Monroe High School offers 15 AP courses (see course catalog). The only requirements to take AP courses are a strong curiosity about the subject you plan to study and the willingness to work hard. Taking the AP Exams is optional, but they represent the culmination of AP courses and are an integral part of the program.
Benefits of Taking AP Courses and Exams
By taking an AP course and exam, students can develop valuable skills that will help them to be successful throughout high school and prepare them for a smooth transition to college.
-“AP” on your high school transcript shows colleges you're motivated to succeed, and taking the exam demonstrates your commitment to tackle and complete college-level work.
-Research shows that students who take AP are better prepared for—and more likely to—attend college and graduate on time (than academically similar students who don’t take AP).
-Taking the AP Exam and getting a qualifying score helps students save time and money by earning college credit or advanced placement, which allows them to skip introductory college courses. In fact, 2 out of 3 AP students earn some college credit in high school.
Registering for AP Exams
Students must create a College Board account with their personal email and students must use their legal name and gender assigned at birth via myap.collegeboard.org, only if they do not already have one. Students will need their class “join code” to join their AP classroom on College Board. The join codes are provided by AP teachers or by emailing the MHS AP Coordinator, Drina Pelayo at pelayoa@monroe.wednet.edu.
By default, students who enroll in an AP classroom on CollegeBoard will be opted-in for testing. Students who do not wish to take the exam must opt out by November 14, 2024 to avoid a $40 late cancellation fee. The ONLY way to cancel an AP exam is by emailing the MHS AP Coordinator, - Drina Pelayo at pelayoa@monroe.wednet.edu. (parent or guardian must be CC’d in email).
Cost
AP exams cost $110 each for MHS students and $135 each for non-MHS students. Payment can be made in-person at the MHS cashier's office or online through the Monroe School District Online Payment System.
The cost of exams will be covered for any students that qualify for free/reduced price meals. If students cancel after the deadline they will be responsible for the $40 late cancellation fee.
Exam Dates
AP Exams will be administered at Monroe High School over two weeks in May 2024: May 5th-9th and May 12th-16th. Visit this link for a more detailed schedule.
Accommodations
For AP testing accommodations, students must have documented testing accommodations. Students who would like to request testing accommodations must do so before January 22, 2025. To request AP accommodations please contact Drina Pelayo at pelayoa@monroe.wednet.edu or 360-804-4520.
Other Important Information
While each test has different timing guidelines, an AP exam typically runs about three hours. Therefore, students and families need to understand that afternoon AP exams will not be completed by the end of the school day (2:20 p.m.). As the College Board requires all students to stay in the testing room until testing is completed, students will not be allowed to leave for after school activities, jobs, etc., until the timed session has come to an end. Students will be responsible for finding alternative transportation to morning exams and home at the end of the exam for afternoon exams.
College Board rules also require students to power off all electronics and place them with the proctor during the exam. Students will not have access to cell phones during the testing session and will be dismissed from the exam should they try to access their technology at any time during the testing session. They are also not allowed to use any form of communication device while on the College Board scheduled break. Students who break any of the College Board rules will be removed from the testing room and their scores will be canceled.
Families can learn more about the Advanced Placement Program (AP) on the College Board website. In addition, Exam Policies and Guidelines provide detailed information for students on exam day.
If you have questions about AP courses, please contact Drina Pelayo, the MHS AP Coordinator, at pelayoa@monroe.wednet.edu or 360-804-4520. AP teachers are also available to answer more specific questions about AP courses.
ASVAB Test
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is the most widely used multiple-aptitude battery test in the world. As an aptitude test, the ASVAB measures your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success. The ASVAB also provides you with career information for various civilian and military occupations and is an indicator for success in future endeavors whether you choose to go to college, vocational school, or a military career.
More info: https://www.asvabprogram.com/
The ASVAB test is offered at MHS. Visit the MHS Career Center for more information.
World Language Exam
Students fluent in a language other than English can take the World Language Competency Exam and earn up to four high school credits. Students who earn four credits are eligible to receive the Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation. Students are tested in four sections: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Credits earned can be applied as either World Language or elective credits.
To register for upcoming test dates or schedule a meeting with the WL coordinator to discuss different date options students must complete this sign up form. (Please note that students must use their school email to be able to access the form.) Students who sign up for the exam will receive test day information a week before the exam date. The exam is not timed but students typically spend about 3 hours completing it.
The test cost is $25. Payment can be made in person with cash or check at the MHS finance office or online.
For more information on the WL exam please contact Evelyn Melgoza at melgozae@monroe.wednet.edu or 360-804-4503.