Assessment

The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science with an optional 40-minute writing test.  ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States.

The ACT is offered at testing locations throughout the country, including OPRFHS. You must register through ACT, not the high school, to take the test. Click here to visit the ACT website, which has the most up-to-date information about test dates, registration deadlines, and fees.

For inquiries regarding ACT Testing, please contact OPRFHS Testing Specialist, Kimberly Asbury, at 708-434-3517 or kasbury@oprfhs.org.  

2024-2025 Test Dates
The dates below are subject to cancelation due to unexpected school closure. If this is the case, you will be informed. If your test date is canceled and you need assistance changing your test site, contact ACT at 319-337-1270.

NOTE: Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Doors close at 8:00 a.m.

Registration

• Register online: This is the fastest method. You will know immediately if your preferred test center has space for you to test, and you also can print your admission ticket from the website.  

  • If you plan to take the ACT at a national or international test center, sign up online by creating or logging into your ACT Web Account.

  • If you are requesting extended time or other accommodations (special testing) for the first time, sign up online by creating or logging in to your ACT Web Account or register by mail in addition to completing the application request and submitting required documentation. Please contact your case manager or counselor for more information.

  • If you missed the late registration deadline, you can request standby testing online.

• Register by mail:

  The packet will be sent via U.S. mail, FedEx, or comparable service.  Allow 7-10 working days for delivery.  Please note that packets do not include code listings.  Test centers and colleges are listed only online.

  • Click here to request a register-by-mail packet. You may request only one packet if:
    • You are younger than 13 years old.
    • You are an individual student.
    • You do not have a credit card or serialized voucher/waiver to pay the fee.

Fee Waiver
If you cannot afford the registration fee for the ACT, with or without the writing test, you may be eligible for an ACT Fee Waiver.  For more information about the eligibility requirements and to obtain a fee waiver, contact your counselor.  If you receive an ACT Fee Waiver Form, follow the Student Directions on it for your registration method.  

OPRFHS has adopted the preACT 9 Secure (for freshmen) and preACT Secure (for sophomores) to create an aligned series of tests that will help prepare our students for their college admissions test.  preACT Secure tests are structured in the same way and contain questions in the same content and skill areas as the ACT; the questions get more complex and address deeper knowledge and skills from the preACT 9 Secure to the preACT Secure to the ACT. This series of tests will give parents, students, and high school staff useful information about each student’s progress toward college and career readiness. The District will pay the cost of the tests in freshman and sophomore year; the state pays for testing in the junior year.

The preACT 9 Secure test date for 2024-2025 is Tuesday, April 8, 2025.  No registration for the test is required.

Click here for free test prep resources.

No classes will meet on April 8, 2025, except for our TEAM program, which will meet as usual. The day will be used for school-wide testing of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.  This is a non-attendance day for seniors.

Testing will begin at 8:00 am. Students will be dismissed early from school upon the conclusion of the test. Most students will finish by 1:00 pm. 

Please contact Mrs. Kimberly Asbury (kasbury@oprfhs.org) if you have any questions about the preACT 9.

Students whose accommodations allow them to listen to an audio version of the test may test over multiple days due to the length of the extended time for this accommodation. Testing for students with multiple day testing will be completed in a testing window, and students will be excused from their classes while they are completing the test.

OPRFHS is working with the Center for Prevention Research and Development at the University of Illinois to conduct a survey of sophomore and senior students. The purpose of the Illinois Youth Survey is to better understand Illinois youth risk and protective behaviors as they related to student problems and academic success.

This questionnaire asks about:

• personal use of alcohol and other drugs, perception of risks, where accessed, consequences of use, approval or disapproval of use
• students' feelings about their school experience
• family and personal characteristics
• family communication about substance use
• feeling about self and moods
• student health behaviors – food intake, exercise, height and weight

More information about the survey is available at this link: https://tinyurl.com/IYS-Survey

Here is the link to Illinois Youth Survey

Questions can be directed to Kristen McKee, Coordinator of Learning Analytics Support: kmckee@oprfhs.org; 708.434.3225

Illinois Youth Survey Results

• Comparative statistics for 2006-2020
• Surveys and follow-up reports:
  • 2006
  • 2008
  • 2010
  • 2012
  • 2014
  • 2016
  • 2018
  • 2020
  • 2022
  • 2024

Per the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), all public high school juniors must take the ACT School Day in order to earn a high school diploma, unless the student has an IEP that specifies the DLM-Alternate Assessment.

The Illinois ACT School Day date is Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The test will include the writing portion. Makeup testing will take place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Students approved by the ACT for extended time accommodations may be required to test over multiple days.

No registration is required. All juniors will automatically be registered for the test through the State of Illinois. 

For students with IEP or 504 Plans, OPRFHS has submitted requests for testing accommodations to the ACT and will implement all approved testing accommodations. Please contact Carin Lucas (clucas@oprfhs.org) if you have any questions about your child's test accommodations.

Things to Bring on Exam Day

• School ID or State ID
• At least two No. 2 pencils with erasers
• Calculator (list of ACT approved calculators here)
• Epinephrine auto-injectors or asthma inhaler for those who require one
• Water bottle 
• Backpack to hold these items

Things to Leave at Home on Exam Day

• Cell phones are not allowed in the testing room.
  • Cell phones should be locked in lockers or left at home.
  • If students bring cellphones, they will be asked to turn them in to the proctor before test begins.
  • Students should not be using cell phones during breaks. 
  • Please reinforce this important information with your student.
• Any device, including digital watches, that can be used to record, transmit, receive, or play back audio, photographic, text, or video content
• Audio players/recorders, tablets, laptops, notebooks, Google Glass, or any other personal computing devices
• iPods or other MP3 players
• iPads or other tablet devices
• Laptops, notebooks, PDAs, or any other personal computing devices
• Any texting device
• Cameras or any other photographic equipment
• Timers of any type
• Protractors, compasses, rulers
• Highlighters, colored pens, colored pencils, mechanical pencils
• Pamphlets or papers of any kind
• Dictionaries or other books—no exceptions, even if English is not your first language
• Food (except for during breaks), unless approved by the ACT's Services for Students with Disabilities

The SAT is an assessment of student academic readiness for college.  Students may take the SAT via SAT National Test dates and locations. To learn more about SAT National Testing registration and fees, click here. Students with free and reduced status may qualify for a fee waiver.  

Click here to visit the SAT website, which has the most up-to-date information about test dates, registration deadlines, and fees.

For inquiries regarding SAT Testing, please contact OPRFHS Testing Specialist, Kimberly Asbury, at 708-434-3517 or kasbury@oprfhs.org.  

2024-2025 Test Dates
The dates below are subject to cancelation due to unexpected school closure. If this is the case, you will be informed. If your test date is canceled and you need assistance changing your test site, contact College Board at 866-756-7346.

NOTE: Doors open at 7:45 am. Doors close at 8:15 am.

Registration

• Register online: Online registration is the quickest and easiest way to register.  You can choose your test date and test center in real time, receive immediate registration confirmation, and get 24-hour access to registration for printing or correcting your admission ticket. 
• Register by mail: You will need to register by mail if you are paying by check or money order, are registering for Sunday testing for the first time due to a religious observance, or cannot upload a digital photo as part of the online registration process.  To register by mail, you need The Paper Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests, which is available from your counselor or counselor's secretary.
• Applying for accommodations: If you have a documented disability, you may be eligible for testing accommodations.
  • Contact your case manager or counselor to submit a request for accommodations online.  
  • When registering online for the SAT, you are prompted to enter your unique SSD Eligibility Code.  This code is located in the upper right-hand corner of your Eligibility Letter, which you receive when your accommodations are approved.  
  • If you choose to register by mail, include a copy of your Eligibility Letter with your registration and payment.  
  • For further information, you can visit College Board's SSD Student Page.
• Home-schooled student registration: Home-schooled students can register online or by mail.  
  • When prompted for a high school code, enter 970000.  
  • Students schooled at home who do not have acceptable photo identification should download and print out a Student ID Form.  Complete the form and take it to a notary public for validation.  A current photo must be attached to the form, in the area indicated, before the form is notarized.  This form must be dated and is good for only one year.  You will be asked to sign the Student ID Form again at the test center.

Fee Waivers
Click here for information or see your Counselor for assistance.

The Panorama Surveys are a resource that helps educators better support students' needs. The surveys are designed for students to reflect on their school environment and experiences. The surveys are research-based and ask questions about Perseverance, Self-management, Self-efficacy, Social awareness as well as School Climate and Culture. Information from this survey leads to school improvement efforts as well as student interventions and support.

The 2024-2025 Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is an optional test that will be given on Saturday, October 12, and Saturday, October 26, 2024.  It is open to juniors and sophomores only.  The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered in a digital format that will provide an overall easier testing experience for students.  

For juniors, the PSAT/NMSQT serves as the entrance test for scholarship and recognition programs run by the National Merit® Corporation and the National Hispanic Recognition Program.  Learn more about the National Merit® Scholarship Program by clicking here.  A guide to National Merit® Scholarship is available by clicking here.

Registration will open Monday,  August 12, and close Wednesday, September 4.  Contact Kimberly Asbury (kasbury@oprfhs.org) if you have any questions.

Registration Steps:

Registration is only available via Total Registration here:  www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/143245

If you are a home-schooled student and would like to take the PSAT/NMSQT, please contact Kimberly Asbury for approval.  Home schooled students will need a valid State ID, driver license, or passport to be admitted in the building.

Student room assignment will be shared one week prior to test day.  Exam begins at 8:00 am.  Doors open at 7:30 am.  Most students will finish the exam at 11:00 am. 

How to prepare for the exam

• The PSAT/NMSQT is almost the same test as the SAT, so if you want to get more preparation based on your practice test on Bluebook™, you can take advantage of resources on Khan Academy^®. Khan Academy's digital SAT course content includes videos, articles, and worked examples designed to help you understand and experience what’s new about the digital SAT Suite.  After your practice test, sign into My Practice to view practice test results and review practice exam items, answers, and explanations.

• Read the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide.

What to bring on exam day

• Your fully charged, school-issued Chromebook.

• Your physical ID (Student ID, Driver’s License, State ID).  IDs on your device WILL NOT be accepted.

• Pens or pencils for scratch paper (scratch paper will be provided for you).

• An approved calculator from this list if you are not familiar or do not want to use the Desmos calculator that's embedded in Bluebook.
• A drink or snacks for your break.

What not to bring

• Any devices, including digital watches, that can be used to record, transmit, receive, or play back audio, photographic, text, or video content.
• Audio players/recorders, tablets, laptops, notebooks, Google Glass, or any other personal computing devices.
• iPods or other MP3 players including AirPods and other listening devices.
• iPads or other tablet devices.
• Laptops, notebooks, PDAs or any other personal computing devices.
• Any texting device.
• Cameras or any other photographic equipment.
• Separate timers of any type.
• Protractors, compasses, rulers.
• Highlighters, colored pens, colored pencils, mechanical pencils.
• Pamphlets or papers of any kind.
• Dictionaries or other books—there are no exceptions, even if English is not your first language.
• Food or drinks (except for during breaks), unless approved by the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities. Learn more about testing with accommodations.

Testing Accommodations 
Any student with College Board approved accommodations will receive those accommodations during the test. Contact Carin Lucas (clucas@oprfhs.org) if you have any questions about testing accommodations for your student.

OPRFHS has adopted the preACT 9 Secure (for freshmen) and preACT Secure (for sophomores) to create an aligned series of tests that will help prepare our students for their college admissions test.  preACT Secure tests are structured in the same way and contain questions in the same content and skill areas as the ACT; the questions get more complex and address deeper knowledge and skills from the preACT 9 Secure to the preACT Secure to the ACT.

This series of tests will give parents, students, and high school staff useful information about each student’s progress toward college and career readiness. The district will pay the cost of the tests in freshman and sophomore year; the state pays for testing in the junior year.

The preACT Secure test date for 2024-2025 is April 8, 2025. No registration for the test is required.

Click here for free test prep resources.

No classes will meet on April 8, 2025, except for our TEAM program, which will meet as usual. The day will be used for school-wide testing of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.  This is a non-attendance day for seniors.

Testing will begin at 8:00 am. Students will be dismissed early from school upon the conclusion of the test. Most students will complete testing by 1:00 pm.

Please contact Mrs. Kimberly Asbury (kasbury@oprfhs.org) if you have any questions about the preACT Secure.

Students whose accommodations allow them to listen to an audio version of the test may test over multiple days due to the length of the extended time for this accommodation. Testing for students with multiple day testing will be completed in a testing window, and students will be excused from their classes while they are completing the test.

OPRFHS contracts with test preparation companies to provide evening and Saturday classes for juniors who are interested in becoming better prepared for the PSAT/NMSQT, ACT, or SAT.  Letters are emailed to parents/guardians of juniors notifying them of test prep opportunities.  Information about test prep programs also appears in the student bulletin and in the parent newsletter.  There is a tuition charge (which varies according to program) for these classes, and need-based financial aid may be available.  Please contact the Testing Specialist, Kimberly Asbury, or your student's counselor if you have questions about test preparation. 

ExcelEdge Inc. offers three prep courses:  

Registration is required to participate in the test prep courses offered.  For more information, check out the details from ExcelEdge here:  ExcelEdge Test Prep Letter

 ACT 36 Course Prep for ACT School Day Test on April 8, 2025 - *REGISTRATION NOW OPEN*

• In-person sessions at OPRFHS (choose one):
  • Session 1:  Thursday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm –
    1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6 (Practice ACT 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm), and 3/13.
  • Session 2:  Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm –
    1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6 (Practice ACT 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm), and 3/13.

• Cost: $360

• To register:  At the Bookstore during business hours or through the Web Store.

• Registration closes January 6, 2025. 

SAT 1600 Course Prep for National SAT on March 8, 2025 - *REGISTRATION NOW OPEN*

• In-person sessions at OPRFHS:
  • Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm –
    1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, and 2/22 (Practice SAT 8:30 am to 12:00 pm).

• Cost: $345

• To register:  At the Bookstore during business hours or through the Web Store.

• Registration closes January 6, 2025. 

If you have any questions about either course, please feel free to contact ExcelEdge Inc. at info@exceledgeinc.com or 219-838-0740.  If you have questions about registration, please email Mrs. Asbury at kasbury@oprfhs.org.

PSAT 1520 - *REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED*
PSAT 1520 prepares 11th grade students for the PSAT/NMSQT to achieve the National Merit Scholarship. The key areas of focus are Reading, Writing and Language, and Mathematics. HURRY!  Registration closes August 5; course begins August 20 and runs through October 1.  See email sent to parents on June 20 for detailed information, or click on the links below:

Letter about PSAT 1520 Course Prep

Register now through the RevTrak Web Store or the ExcelEdge website

Cost: $345.  See counselor if student qualifies for a fee waiver for scholarship opportunity.

College Board: SAT Suite of Assessments
Includes descriptions and practice items for SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9. There are seven full-length SAT practice tests you can download and score at home.

Khan Academy Free Online SAT Prep
Sharpen your skills, reduce stress, and feel confident on test day.  Here’s how:

• Take a full-length practice test on College Board’s site.
• Learn and practice your skills on Khan Academy.

Revolution Prep
Offers six-week online ACT or SAT prep courses. Register at www.revolutionprep.com or call 877-738-7737.