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Testing

  • For incoming Freshmen, St. Mary's administers the Scholastic High School Placement Test (HSPT). This exam tests the following categories: verbal skills, mathematics, quantitative skills, language, and reading.
  • Students are automatically registered for the first exam administration after applying and paying the registration on SchoolAdmin.
  • Parents and students are highly encouraged to test in January, or risk schedule conflicts for elective classes. 
  • Results of the exam will determine students' placement in courses for their Freshman year. Results are posted to the SchoolAdmin portal for each student after scoring has been completed.
  • If parents and students feel that the exam did not reflect their abilities, families may opt to have their student  take a challenge exam for that subject.  These exams will be administered on set dates in late Spring  by the appropriate faculty Department Head. To opt- in to the challenge exam(s), please see the SchoolAdmin portal.

STS - HSPT Parent's Page

*ALL FEES AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

AP Exams are administered in the spring of every academic year. Student FACTS account will be billed $98/per exam at the time of Registration.  There is a $40 cancellation fee, per College Board. Additional information regarding registration will be forthcoming in the TeleRam.
 
To inquire about AP Fee Waivers, please reach out to Mrs. Lori Green, Main Office (x111).  

AP exams are for students who are enrolled in an AP exam at St. Mary's High School. These exams are separate from final exams. The purpose of the exam is to validate instruction along with earning college credits. Each university differs on what they consider a passing score or exams they accept. Please check the following link for specifics: AP Credit Policy Search
 
 
*ALL FEES AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 
 
 
Beginning in 2023, the PSAT/NMSQT is now digital!  It has the same sections and timing, and measures the Reading and Writing and Math skills needed to succeed in college and career. Students can see a test preview, or take a full-length practice test by downloading BlueBook on the College Board website (link below).
 
If you think the key to a high score is memorizing words and facts you’ll never use in the real world, think again. You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.The best way to prepare for the test is to:

  • Take challenging courses

  • Do your homework

  • Prepare for tests and quizzes

  • Ask and answer lots of questions

The PSAT is a great way to practice for the official SAT. Categories include: Reading & Writing (54 questions) and Math (44 questions). Juniors who take the PSAT may qualify for National Recognition Programs and scholarships. Results are available online on student’s College Board account.  Additional information, including yearly administration dates and practice opportunities are available:
 
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt
PreACT™ empowers 10th-grade students with a unique ACT® test practice experience. Scores provide valuable insights into students' predicted performance on the ACT and help inform important high school course decisions.
 
With results predicting performance on the ACT test, PreACT simulates the ACT testing experience within a shorter test window on all four ACT test subjects: English, math, reading, and science
 
Saint Mary's anticipates offering the PreACT in Spring and will provide registration information via the TeleRam.
 
 
*ALL FEES AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SAT/ACT Exams:
 
In the aftermath of COVID, many colleges and universities opted to go test-optional for SAT and/or ACT testing. As such, students and families must decide whether or not it makes sense to register for official SAT and/or ACT testing. 
 
Know your school's policies:
Test-Required – These schools will require students to submit an SAT or ACT score with their
application.
Test-Optional – Students can choose whether or not to submit a test score. While not submitting a test
doesn’t hurt, submitting a good test score may help with admissions and/or scholarship considerations.
If students choose to test they can decide whether to submit the results based on the strength of their
application with or without them.
Test-Blind – These schools won’t consider test scores at all, even if they’re terrific. They’ll just focus
on other factors.
 
When in doubt - ASK the college! A simple check of the school's admission site and/or call to the
admissions office will clarify their policy incoming class' admission cycle.
 
Can I get a test and if so, can I dedicate sufficient time to effectively and thoroughly prepare for the
test?
There is still limited availability at many testing centers. We do not recommend traveling to other
states to get a test. If you want to test, can you give adequate time and effort to test prep?
 
A final note - everyone's circumstances are different. Please make a decision that is in the best of
interest of YOUR personal situation and list of schools! We will respect what you wish to do!
 
For a list of 2024 Test-optional schools, please visit (please note this list may not reflect the most current policies.  Students and families are strongly advised to go directly to the website of the individual college to which they are considering applying):