Standardized Assessment

The PSAT/NMSQT is a test within the SAT Suite of Assessments that is used to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholar Program. This exam is offered as an optional test to all D128 11th-grade students and is administered each year on DARING Day. This year, the assessment will be administered on Oct. 9, 2025. Registration and payment are required, and information regarding this process will be distributed to all 11th-grade students and families in the fall.

For more information, visit this link

With the mandated state assessment having switched from the SAT to the ACT in 2025, D128 is providing 11th-grade students the opportunity to take a practice ACT on DARING Day. Any 11th-grade student who does not register for the PSAT/NMSQT will be automatically registered to take the Practice ACT on October 9, 2025. This is not an official PreACT but is a digital practice test designed and administered by Compass Education Group. Following the test, students will receive a full, interactive report that will help them understand their results. Students who choose to take the PSAT/NMSQT on DARING Day will be offered the opportunity to take the Practice ACT through Compass at home.

For more information, visit this link

District 128 administers the PreACT 8/9 to 8th graders from our feeder districts each fall. This provides 8th graders with an early practice experience for the ACT test. In addition, student scores on the PreACT 8/9 help us in providing guidance in the 9th-grade course placement process. Students will test on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Students residing within the Libertyville High School boundary will test at Libertyville High School, and students residing within the Vernon Hills High School boundary or in the choice zone will test at Vernon Hills High School. Students are automatically registered for this test. Students unable to attend the initial test date can attend the make-up date on Oct. 25, 2025, at Libertyville High School. 

All students identified as English learners will take the online ACCESS or Alternate ACCESS test for the State of Illinois, as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). These assessments measure the academic English language proficiency level of students across four components: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. All students who qualify for English language support are required to take this assessment and are registered automatically. Communication regarding this assessment will be distributed upon the return from winter break.

For more information, visit this link

The DLM-AA is the required state assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. As determined by a student’s IEP, students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades may take the DLM-AA if participation in the state’s regular assessment (ACT or PreACT) is not appropriate, even with accommodations. ​The window for the DLM-AA is from March 11 through May 6, 2026. Families of students participating in this assessment will receive more information as the testing dates approach.

All 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students in the state of Illinois are required to participate in the digital ACT with Writing (11th grade) or respective grade level PreACT each spring. This test is mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education. 11th-grade students must participate in all five sections of the ACT with Writing assessment: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing. 9th and 10th-grade students must participate in all four sections of their respective grade level PreACT assessment: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. (There is no writing portion on the PreACT assessments.)

• The ACT with Writing will be administered to 11th graders on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
• The PreACT Secure will be administered to 10th graders on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
• The PreACT 9 Secure will be administered to 9th graders on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Students are automatically registered for their respective tests. More information will be distributed as the test dates approach.

For 2026 ACT & PreACT Information, visit this link

For access to ACT resource materials, visit this link

This newsletter is updated periodically, as more resources become available.

AP exams are administered each spring, according to the schedule published by CollegeBoard, the organization that oversees Advanced Placement. These exams allow students to demonstrate their skills and potentially earn college credit. Students enrolled in AP courses are not required to take the associated AP exam; however, the majority of our students do. CollegeBoard determines exam costs and registration deadlines. And, although the exams are not until May, the registration deadline for full-year and first-semester AP courses occurs in the fall semester. AP students and families will receive additional information at the start of the semesters regarding AP exam registration and payment. The 2026 AP exams will take place from May 4-8 and May 11-15, 2026

National ACT exams are held throughout the year on Saturdays, according to the schedule published by ACT. Students do not need to take the test at their home school but can register to take the test anywhere it is being hosted. D128 is not hosting any national ACTs this school year; however, there are many area schools that host numerous National ACT dates. The ACT will also be given as a school-day test in the spring as part of state testing (see State Testing section above).

For upcoming National ACT test dates and to register, click on this link

Important Notes:

• Wondering if your colleges require a test? Check out Fairtest.org before you register.
• Watch for and complete all registration steps via the national portals. Incomplete registration profiles may result in an automatic removal from the testing roster if not completed by specified deadlines.

National SAT exams are held throughout the year on Saturdays, according to the schedule published by CollegeBoard. Students do not need to take the test at their home school but can register to take the test anywhere it is being hosted. D128 is hosting two national SATs this school year: 

1. Aug. 23, 2025 at Vernon Hills High School
2. March 14, 2026, at Libertyville High School.

Many area schools host other National SAT dates, and students are welcome to test at those alternate locations if they choose to test on any other national test dates.

For upcoming National SAT test dates and to register, click on this link

Important Notes:

• Wondering if your colleges require a test? Check out Fairtest.org before you register.
• Watch for and complete all registration steps via the national portals. Incomplete registration profiles may result in an automatic removal from the testing roster if not completed by specified deadlines.

More Information Coming Soon!