September 19, 2023, Community Update: SAT School Day, PSAT, ACT and ASVAB Assessment Information for the 2023-2024 School Year
As part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure access and opportunity for all students, Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) provides important career and college readiness examinations to secondary students. This includes an in-school PSAT day for Grade 10 students during the fall semester and an in-school SAT Day for Grade 11 students during the spring semester. This allows greater access to these important examinations and will allow students to be able to access information about multiple pathways to success, including career exploration, military, trade careers, colleges, scholarships, financial aid and apprenticeships.
PSAT
The PSAT provides an important measure of each student’s readiness for advanced coursework, college and careers, and preparation for future college readiness examinations. The PSAT is administered to all Grade 10 students in the fall of each year.
The PSAT will be administered to all Grade 10 students between October 16, and October 27. at no cost to students. Each school will determine its own testing schedule within this window. Current Grade 11 students, while not required to take the PSAT, are also encouraged to participate to obtain additional SAT practice and participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
SAT School Day
The SAT is administered to all Grade 11 students during the school day in spring of each year.
The SAT School Day will be offered to all Grade 11 students (or other eligible students in the same graduation cohort), districtwide this spring. The testing window will be shared later this fall and will be based on input from school staff.
Please note that students taking the SAT during a school day must adhere to the same testing protocols that take place on national testing dates, including services for students with disabilities.
ACT
This year, BCPS is providing students with an opportunity to take the ACT in Grade 11 or 12 at no cost. Students will be provided with a pre-paid voucher that they will use when they register for the ACT. ACT is a national administration given on Saturday at multiple locations (ACT Test Center Locator). Students may request a voucher from their school counselor.
In 2023-2024, the ACT will be administered on September 9, October 28, December 9, February 10, April 13, June 8, and July 13. Students are responsible for any late registration fees. The regular Registration Deadline for the October test is September 22.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
The ASVAB is administered to measure a student’s developed skills and abilities that help predict future academic and occupational success in the military and provides an interest inventory for students.
National Administrations
Students may also access national administrations of the SAT or ACT that are offered by these organizations, typically on Saturdays. Students registering for national administrations are responsible for the cost of their exam or through fee waivers available through the College Board or ACT. For more information, visit:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
Requesting Accommodations
To request an accomodation for the PSAT, SAT/ACT or AP exams, please contact your School Counselor to begin the process. The counselor (or designated staff member) enters contact information, requested accommodations, information about the student’s disability, and information about any formal accommodation plans. The families will work with school staff to submit documentation for the College Board to make a decision.
College Board: https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/request-accommodations/request/through-the-school
ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act-educator/the-act-test/accommodations.html