The ACT is a nationally administered standardized test that helps colleges evaluate candidates. The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests of educational development in English, Math, Reading and Science which are designed to measure the skills needed for success in first-year college coursework. Minnesota Statute 120B.30 requires all districts to provide a nationally normed college entrance exam for students.
School District 197 provides a sequence of assessments to measure college readiness beginning in 9th grade and culminating with the ACT in a student’s junior year. Generally, students take the ACT their junior year of high school. Many college- bound students will take the ACT two or more times since the student’s highest score is considered for admission.
In fall 2020, School District 197 began to administer the PreACT 8/9 assessment. In grade 9, students take the PreACT 8/9. The results from this assessment are used to predict ACT results in English, Reading, Math and Science. In grade 10, students take the pre-ACT. This assessment provides information on to students on areas of strength and areas for growth prior to them taking the ACT in grade 11. In the spring of grade 11, all School District 197 students are required to take the ACT with writing per MN statute 120B.30. Students have access to practice ACT tests through Naviance. Students are encouraged to complete practice tests prior to taking the ACT. Community education also offers ACT prep classes.
The ACT can be taken at additional times, if a student chooses. Additional attempts of the ACT are at the student/ family’s expense. The ACT is administered on Saturday at various locations throughout the state of Minnesota. Two Rivers is not a site for Saturday administration. For a complete listing of test dates and sites, see ACT’s website.
About PreACT 8/9
- Pre-ACT 8/9 is administered to students in 9th grade in the fall.
- The test is a multiple-choice, paper and pencil assessment.
- Provides both current achievement and predicted PreACT and ACT test score ranges on the familiar 1-36 ACT score.
- The test provides item Response and Detailed Results to help identify specific aread of strength and weakness.
- Results are reviewed with counselors.
- More information
About Pre-ACT
- Pre-ACT is administered to students in 10th grade in the fall.
- The test is a multiple-choice, paper and pencil assessment.
- Provides both current achievement and predicted ACT test score ranges on the familiar 1-36 ACT score scale.
- The test provides item Response and Detailed Results to help identify specific aread of strength and weakness.
- Results are reviewed with counselors.
- More information
Preparing for the ACT
Students have access to a practice ACT in their Naviance account. Students likely completed a practice test during the fall of their Junior year. They can complete one again. If students have forgotten how to log in to Naviance, see this video. If students have forgotten how to access the practice test, see this video.