Assessments and Testing

The ACT (American College Testing) is a timed standardized test widely used by college admission counselors in the admission process. The test consists of four sections: math, reading, grammar, and science reasoning with an optional fifth writing section. HSEHS is a test site four times each school year during September, December, April, and June. Students may choose the test site for any of the testing dates. We highly encourage our students to take the ACT and SAT before the start of their senior year. The ACT is as widely accepted for college admission as the SAT.

Fishers School Code: 151041
HSE School Code: 151045

ACT

Measures the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student compared to age mates and grade mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.

School corporations and charter schools must ensure that all students in kindergarten, grade one, and grade two are screened each school year for learning characteristics related to dyslexia. The selected universal screener must be approved by IDOE. Universal screeners are brief, designed for all students, and provide an indicator if students may be at risk or at some risk for learning characteristics related to dyslexia.

Indiana’s online computer-adaptive assessment designed to measure your child’s proficiency of the Indiana Academic Standards for Grades 3-8, Biology, and U.S. Government. ILEARN fulfills both state and federal accountability requirements and is Indiana’s summative accountability assessment. ILEARN Checkpoints are administered to students in grades 3-8 three times per year in English Language Arts and Math. Summative Assessments for grades 3-8 cover English/Language Arts and Math. Grade 4 and grade 6 students take a summative assessment in science and grade 5 students take a summative assessment in social studies.

A grade three reading assessment that measures foundational reading skills, including students' ability to read and understand grade-level text. This assessment is required to be administered to students in grades two through six until they pass or enter grade seven.

School corporations and charter schools must ensure that all students in kindergarten, grade one, and grade two are screened each school year with a universal math screener. The selected universal screener must be approved by IDOE. This screener is used to identify students at risk of not meeting grade level proficiency. Students in grade three through grade eight, the ILEARN checkpoints will be used to screen students for being at risk of not meeting grade level proficiency.

The Nation’s Report Card is a resource—a common measure of student achievement—because it offers a window into the state of our K-12 education system and what our children are learning. When students, their parents, teachers, and principals participate in the Nation’s Report Card—the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas—they are helping to inform decisions about how to improve the education system in our country.

Students enrolled in a U.S. government course where credit is awarded for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, or Core 40 with Technical Honors Diploma designation are required to take the naturalization examination provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). U.S. government courses include Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit, and Cambridge International courses. Students are not required to pass the naturalization examination in order to pass the U.S. government course.

Fall 2024 Results

• Total number of students who took the examination: 280 (FHS) and 369 (HHS)

• Total number of students who passed with a score of at least 60% on their first attempt: 264 (FHS) and 331 (HHS)

• The pass rate for all students who participated: 94.28% (FHS) and 89.7% (HHS)

A research-based, mission-driven organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiency—and provide insights to help tailor instruction. For 40 years, NWEA has developed Pre-K–12 assessments and professional learning offerings to help advance all students along their optimal learning paths. Our tools are trusted by educators in more than 9,500 schools, districts, and education agencies in 145 countries. Sample reports are available for viewing. 

The PSAT 8/9 is given to all freshmen during the month of October each school year. Fees for the test are part of the regular textbook and paper fees. Taking this test is a great way to prepare for the SAT. The PSAT 8/9 supports all students with early feedback on the skills and knowledge that matter most for college and career readiness.

PSAT 8/9

The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is given to all current sophomores and juniors. Fees for the test are covered through the regular book and paper fees. There is no registration to complete beforehand. Sophomores taking the test are not eligible to qualify for National Merit Scholarships; these scholarships are determined by your PSAT score junior year only. Students should receive their results toward the end of first semester and will also be given a copy of the test booklet to go over their answers as a preparation tool for the SAT. Please feel free to contact your student’s counselor if any further information is needed.

PSAT/NMSQT

SAT I (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a standardized, timed aptitude test used widely by college admissions counselors in the admission process. It consists of math, critical reading and writing sections. It is offered eight times per year nationally. Students may use calculators on the math sections. Hamilton Southeastern High School is a test site in October, December, March, and May. Students may choose the test site for any of the testing dates. Generally, we encourage juniors to take the SAT in the spring and seniors to take or retake the SAT in October or November. Students may take the test on any test date. If the test is taken more than once, many colleges and universities will consider the best scores from each section and not just from one testing session. Sophomores also may take the SAT but we would recommend they at least sit for the PSAT first before they take the SAT.

The SAT II – Achievement/Subject Tests are one-hour tests in specific subjects such as science, English, or foreign languages. Some schools require two or three tests for first-year placement. Colleges that require the SAT II are typically the more competitive ones. Subject tests are offered on all the below test dates with the exception of the March date.

SAT I and SAT II

The Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS) is a norm-referenced rating scale designed to assist school districts in the identification of students as high ability in the areas of reading and math.

WIDA MODEL (Measure of Developing English Language) is a suite of English language proficiency assessments for grades K-12. As a flexible, on-demand language proficiency assessment, WIDA MODEL can be administered at any time during the school year, depending on the needs of the district, school, teacher or student.