Advanced Learning Testing
College Entrance Exams
- ACT Testing – The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, Science and an optional Writing portion. ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the US.
- SAT Testing
College Readiness Exams
During the Texas legislative session in 2019, many new expectations were set for graduating seniors in Texas high schools to help them prepare for their post-secondary success in College, Career or Military options. The driving force behind this work is the state’s goal of 60×30 which emphasizes that by 2030 at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 will have a certificate or degree.
To help Richardson ISD students prepare for their postsecondary success, we provide multiple testing opportunities for students throughout their secondary careers so they can monitor their success in both ACT, SAT and TSI formats.
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Although the test is offered only once per year, a student can take advantage of it during their freshman, sophomore, and junior years. A student’s score will only count for scholarships and identification of National Merit Scholars during the junior year.
This scholarship competition awards approximately 8,200 scholarships annually. The selection process starts with the choosing of National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists and Commended Scholars. Cutoffs vary from state to state but typically Semi-Finalists score in the top one percent of students in their state and Commended Scholars are between the top one to four percent. Most of the approximately 16,000 Semi-Finalists become Finalists, and half of those ultimately receive National Merit Scholarships.
The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative enacted by the Texas State Legislature and designed to determine a student’s readiness for college-level coursework in the general areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.
The TSIA, or one of its exemptions, has been required of Texas students entering a Texas college or university for nearly ten years. The TSIA is administered through the College Board’s Accuplacer digital platform. Universities, community colleges, school districts and high school campuses can request to administer the TSIA to students.