High School Testing
State Mandated Tests
MCA II/GRAD (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments) - This is the Minnesota State Graduation required test for students graduating in 2010 and later. This test is given in the subjects of Math, Reading, Writing and Science. In 9th Grade, the students take the Writing test. In 10th grade the students take the Reading test, and in 11th Grade the students take the Math test. The MCA Science test is given during the year your student is in Biology.
BST (Basic Skills Tests) - This is the Minnesota State Graduation required test for students graduating in 2009 and before. This test is given in the subjects of Writing, Reading and Math. This test is being phased out with the MCA Test. We will be giving re-test opportunities until 2012.
MTAS (Minnesota Test of Academic Skills) - This is an alternative assessment based on alternate achievement standards. This test is given in place of the MCA tests for students with the most significant cognitive disabilites, per the IEP team.
TEAE (Test of Emerging Academic English) - This is a reading and writing language proficiency test given to English Language Learners. Given in March.
MNSOLOM (Minnesota Student Oral Language Observation Matrix) - This is a test that assesses the listening and speaking of skills of English learners.
Academic/Career Testing
ACT - College entrance test - Juniors and seniors applying to 4-year college need to take this test. WHS offers this test five times per academic year.
PLAN - Pre-ACT test for 10th grade students. This test also has a career guidance component to be used for students who wish to explore careers of interest to them. Given in October.
PSAT - Pre-SAT test. Offered to the top 10% of sophomores and all juniors. This test is the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test for juniors. We give this test in October.
ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery - This test is given to interested juniors and seniors who wish to learn more about careers of interest to them. Given in October.
NWEA - Northwest Evaluation Association. Tests in math, reading, and science given to 9th grade students. This test is meant to assess the student's growth in these areas throughout the school year.