AP Testing

When?

The 2026 AP Exams will be administered in schools over two weeks in May: May 4–8 and May 11–15.

Who?

Students who are enrolled in an AP class this school year, may sign up to take the AP exam for free (fee paid by the state of NC).

How do I sign up for AP Exams?

1. Sign in to myap.collegeboard.org using your College Board login.

2. Click the Join Course or Exam button.

3. Enter the join code your teacher gave you and click submit.

4. Make sure the information that comes up is for the course you’re taking. If it is, click yes.

5. You’re now enrolled in your AP course. Repeat steps 2-4 for each course you’re taking this year, using the unique join code for each course. 

6. Click on the register for the exam button and click to “confirm registration” (yes I want to take the exam) or “no, I wish to remove myself from taking this AP exam” (no you do not want to take the exam).

College Board Student Guide: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/joining-your-ap-class-section-students.pdf 

Deadline to Enroll in Fall Semester / Yearlong / Self Study Courses – November 13^th

Deadline to Enroll in Spring Semester Courses – March 12^th

What?

Advanced Placement examinations (AP exams) are optional exams offered in United States by the College Board and are taken each May by students. These test are different from the final exams administered by each teacher in January and June for their courses.

The tests are the culmination of an Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP exams (with few exceptions) have a multiple-choice section and a free-response section.

The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale:

• 5: Extremely well qualified

• 4: Very well qualified

• 3: Qualified

• 2: Possibly qualified

• 1: No recommendation

Why?

1. Get the Credit You Earned

Earning college credit or placement while you’re in high school can save you time and money in the future. You can only earn college credit or advanced placement if you complete an AP Exam.  Three out of four AP students enrolled in a four-year college or university start school with some AP credit. 

2. All AP Exams Have Benefits

Completing an AP course and exam means you’ll have taken college-level coursework in high school. No matter your score, preparing for and taking your AP Exam sharpens skills you need to transition from high school to college. Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams have better college outcomes than their peers. Whatever your score, taking an AP Exam can keep you on track for college.

• The majority of students who score a 1 or 2 on their first AP Exam are likely to improve their score on a future exam.

• Students who achieve an exam score of 2 do significantly better in introductory college classes.

• Students who achieve exam scores of 1 or 2 are still more likely to attend college and graduate on time (than academically similar students who don’t take AP).

3. Stand Out to Colleges, Universities, and Scholarship Programs

Taking an AP Exam helps you stand out to colleges, universities, and scholarship programs by showing them you’re willing to work hard to complete college-level work. 85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admissions decisions.

What is the UNC System colleges AP credit policy?

The University of North Carolina System designed its Advanced Placement (AP) credit acceptance policy to promote student success in higher education.  Under this policy, students who earned a score of “three” or higher on their AP exams will receive credit from all 16 universities within the System.  

How do I receive credit for an AP exam score?

In order to receive credit for your AP exam score, you must request the College Board to send your official score report to your university. If your score qualifies for credit, your university will notify you.

Are universities required to offer credit for every single AP exam offered by College Board?

No. Universities are not required to offer credit for every single AP exam offered by College Board. They are only required to offer credit for the courses that match an AP exam.

Can I apply these credits toward courses in my major, or can they only be used for general education requirements?

If a course is aligned with a College Board AP exam, you will earn credit for a “three” or higher, regardless of whether that course satisfies an elective, general education, minor, or major requirement in your degree plan.  

Find information about the credit policy for other college & universities at: 

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies

More Information: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/ap-exams-what-to-know

Questions?

If you have questions on these assessments, please feel free to contact Testing Coordinator Tamara Young (tyoung@wcpss.net).

ACT

When?

• February 25th, 2025

• Make-Up Testing - March 4th, 2025

Who?

ACT is a required state assessment for all students in eleventh graders per North Carolina G.S. §115C-174.11(4).

What?

The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc. The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher you score on the ACT and/or SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.

Why?

• Show Colleges That You Are Ready To Succeed: More and more selective schools are realizing the value of test scores and again requiring them for admissions. An ACT score can show schools that you are prepared to tackle their curriculum from day one.

• Connect With Colleges and Scholarship Programs via EOS: The ACT Educational Opportunity Service helps match students with colleges and other career-related resources aligned with their backgrounds and interests.

• Put Your Best Score Forward With an ACT Superscore: Students who take the ACT more than once can use their best subject score from each test to create an official Superscore showcasing their best performance.

• Help Save Money on Tuition: An ACT score can increase chances of earning scholarships that can fuel your future and help with college costs. Even schools that are test optional may still require or recommend an ACT score to qualify for merit awards.

• Standards Based: Students can see how prepared they are for college by comparing their scores to the ACT College Readiness Benchmark scores. The Benchmarks, based on ACT test scores and actual college performance of students, are measures that show the likelihood of college success in a subject if students score at or above the Benchmark.

More Information: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html

Final Exams

When?

• Fall Exams: January 16th - 23rd

• Spring Exams: June 5th - 11th

Who?

All students in grades 9-12.

Exemption Requirements (Only For Teacher Made Exams)

• Grades 9-11

  • 10 or less absences

  • 10 or less tardies

  • B average or higher

• Grade 12

  • 10 or less absences

  • B average or higher

What?

Teacher Made Final Exams

CTE State Exams

End of Course State Exams: English 2, Biology, Math 1 and Math 3

Why?

These exams count as 20% of the students' final grade in all courses.

More Information: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/accountability-and-testing/state-tests/end-course-eoc

When? 

• November 18th and 19th (Students will be assigned one testing session during those dates.)

• Make-Up Testing - March 17th and 19th (For any student who does not complete testing in the fall semester.)

Who?

WorkKeys is a required assessment for all eligible CTE concentrators, in grade twelve per North Carolina G.S. §115C-174.25.  CTE concentrators are defined as a student who has taken a level 1 and level 2 CTE course in the same pathway, while at HSHS. Example: Foods 1 and Foods 2

What?

WorkKeys assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace and they help measure the skills that can affect job performance. WorkKeys assessments are:

• Relevant: WorkKeys assessments are developed to solve actual workplace problems. Unlike other assessments, they don’t simply give an indication of reading and writing competency. Instead, they measure a range of hard and soft skills relevant to any occupation, at any level, and across industries.

• Recognized: Successful completion of WorkKeys core assessments can lead to earning an ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) — a credential that verifies the skills found to be most essential across industries and occupations.

• ACT WorkKeys are designed to be applicable across many career fields, so there isn’t a specific type of professional who should take these tests. 

High school students are tested in the three core assessments of the ACT WorkKeys exam to earn the NCRC. Those core assessments are:

• Applied Math. Measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and problem-solving techniques for situations that actually occur in today’s workplace. While students can use calculators and conversion tables to help with the problems on the assessment, math skills are still needed to think them through.

• Graphic Literacy. Measures the skills needed to locate, synthesize and use information from workplace graphics. In today’s world, data comes in a variety of formats. From charts to graphs, diagrams to floor plans, identifying what information is being presented and understanding how to use it are critical to success.

• Workplace Documents. Measures the skills people need when they read and use written texts such as memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies and regulations on the job. Employees need to be able to understand written texts to do a job.

Students who score a 3 or higher on each assessment earn the NCRC, which is valuable documentation of their skills. Certificate levels are bronze (scores of 3), silver (4), gold (5) or platinum (6+). The highest score is 7. An NCRC will give your child a nationally recognized credential that is portable and evidence based, one that validates their work readiness skills.

Why?

All students enter the workforce eventually - whether they get a job right out of high school, work part-time while continuing their education, or go to college first. In today’s competitive job market, it is important to get yourself noticed! Documenting your skills with the WorkKeys gives you an advantage in launching or advancing your college or career choices.  Based on your scores on the three core ACT WorkKeys Assessments, you can earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze level.  The ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) indicates that you have the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Just as the ACT score indicates the college readiness of all students, the NCRC assesses the career readiness of all students and serves as a reliable predictor for workplace success of any applicant, student or adult. Thousands of private and public employers now ask for or require NCRC scores as part of the application process. In North Carolina alone, over 3400 companies recognize and/or require the WorkKeys NCRC.  In addition to education and work experience, the NCRC is a credential for your job search portfolio which shows your aptitude for essential foundational skills that employer’s desire. This is also an important addition on your resume to set you apart from other job applicants. 

The NCRC also builds confidence. Many people have a higher level of foundational skills than they expected. Because this is a certification, based on a precise and valid assessment process, job seekers can trust what the NCRC says about their skills. While academic assessments are designed to help establish how a person will do in academic work, many people assume if they have low academic skills it automatically means they have low workplace skills, too. The NCRC documents workplace skills and builds confidence that a certificate holder can learn what is needed to do the job.

In addition, the American Council on Education (ACE) recommends that colleges and universities award up to six semester hours of college credit to an individual who earns the WorkKeys NCRC at the Silver, Gold, or Platinum level. Credit awards are at the discretion of each school. 

More Information: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/act-workkeys.html

PreACT

When? 

• November 5th, 2025

• Make-Up Testing - November 10th, 2025

Who? 

PreACT is a required assessment for all students in tenth graders per North Carolina G.S. §115C-174.22.

What?

The Preliminary ACT Test is a program sponsored by the Act Corporation. It is a paper/pencil test that provide first hand practice for the ACTs®. PreACT simulates the ACT testing experience within a shorter test window on all four ACT test subjects: English, math, reading and science. It provides both current achievement and projected future ACT test scores on the familiar 1-36 ACT score scale.

Why?

Detailed Results and Item Response help to identify specific areas of strength and weakness. Additional reporting insights on STEM, Career Readiness and Understanding Complex Texts are also provided. The PreACT assessment is designed to help students, parents and educators identify areas where students may need additional academic support or remediation. The PreACT can also help to initiate strategic conversations between students, parents and schools regarding dual enrollment decisions, identifying curriculum gaps, implementing interventions on behalf of students, and choosing Advanced Placement classes. 

More Information: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/preact.html

PSAT/NMSQT

When? 

• Registration Deadline - September 19th, 2025

• October 8th, 2025

• Make-Up Testing - October 15th, 2025

Who?

Students in grades 9-11 who pay to take the test. The test includes Algebra I and some Geometry concepts, so if students have not completed Math 1 they may be better served to take it in a future year.

Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade may enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. 

What?

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. It's a digital standardized test that provides first hand practice for the SAT®. It measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills.  As part of the SAT® Suite of Assessments, itʼs designed to help prepare students for the SAT, college, and careers.

Why?

Taking the PSAT/NMSQT is more than just good practice for the SAT, and the scores are more than just a number. With your child’s results, they can:

• See where they are and set a target: You’ll get details on the exact skills and knowledge they need to focus on, while they have plenty of time to improve. Historically, students who took the PSAT/NMSQT scored better on the SAT, on average, than those who didn’t take the test.

• Find out about their AP Potential: Students who take an AP® course are better positioned to succeed in college. Your child may not realize that they’re ready to take college level courses and that they have the potential to succeed. Using their personalized view of AP Potential , found in their score report, they’ll get recommendations for courses that may be a good fit for them.

• Enter the National Merit Scholarship Program: Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT and meet other program entry requirements specified in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide will enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) Visit NMSC’s website at www.nationalmerit.org for more information..

• Help pay for college: Taking the PSAT/NMSQT gives your child the chance to access over $300 million in other scholarship opportunities.

• Connect to their future: When your child takes the PSAT/NMSQT, they’ll be asked for their mobile phone number so they can download the free BigFuture School™ mobile app and have their PSAT/NMSQT scores delivered right to their phone. They’ll get customized career information and guidance about planning and paying for college. 

More Information: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt