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Mesquite ISD

Excellence Happens Here

Testing

In addition to regular test and quizzes within class, Mesquite ISD students are tested other times during the year through benchmark exams to measure how well they are learning the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the course work for each subject and grade. Once a year in the spring, students take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), a statewide exam that provides the information necessary to ensure that each school and the district are meeting state and federal education goals.

College readiness exams are also an important test for our high school students and MISD offers every student one free SAT administration either their 11th or 12th grade year. There are three tests students can take for college: the SAT, the ACT, and the TSIA, each with different scores, dates, and reasons. Reach out to the Advanced Academics Team and counselors on your campus for help navigating the college process.

Click here for a Schedule of Acceleration Testing

College Readiness Tests

  • For most students, taking an Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in May serves as the natural culmination of their AP course experience. For more information about Advanced Placement in MISD visit our AP webpage.

  • What is the ACT?

    • The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in:
    • English, Mathematics, Reading, Science
    • The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests plus a 30-minute Writing Test.
    • ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the US.
    • The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, including a short break (or just over four hours if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing).
    • The ACT is administered on six test dates within the United States
    • The basic registration fee includes score reports for up to four college choices, if you list valid codes when you register.

    Free ACT Test Prep

    Test Geek ACT Prep

    ACT Testing Website

     

  • NOTE: MISD administers the SAT to all Juniors each spring. Contact your campus for more information.

    What is the SAT?

    • The SAT is a globally recognized college admission test that lets you show colleges what you know and how well you can apply that knowledge. It tests your knowledge of reading, writing and math — subjects that are taught every day in high school classrooms. Most students take the SAT during their junior or senior year of high school, and almost all colleges and universities use the SAT to make admission decisions.
    • Taking the SAT is the first step in finding the right college for you — the place where you can further develop your skills and pursue your passions. But SAT scores are just one of many factors that colleges consider when making their admission decisions. High school grades are also very important. In fact, the combination of high school grades and SAT scores is the best predictor of your academic success in college.
    • The SAT doesn’t test logic or abstract reasoning. It tests the skills you’re learning in school: reading, writing and math. Your knowledge and skills in these subjects are important for success in college and throughout your life.
    • The critical reading section includes reading passages and sentence completions.
    • The writing section includes a short essay and multiple-choice questions on identifying errors and improving grammar and usage.
    • The mathematics section includes questions on arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability.

    SAT Testing Website

    SAT Practice and Prep ​​​​​​​

  • 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.

    The TSIA tests measures readiness for College-level English and Math. Most colleges require the TSIA upon admittance. This test can be given any time during the student’s high school years.

    TSIA Practice

State Assessments

  • State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

    Introduced in 2012, the STAAR program assesses reading and mathematics for all students in grades 3-8, science for students in grades 5 and 8, and social studies for students in grade 8.

    For high school students there are five STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessments: English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History (visit the STAAR EOC page to learn more about the end-of-course testing program and its impact on graduation eligibility).

    The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides extensive STAAR resources on its website. The resources are intended to help individuals understand how the STAAR program measures the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards. The resources are intended to support, not narrow or replace, the teaching of the state-mandated curriculum, the TEKS.

    Mesquite ISD is committed to keeping its students and families informed of the changes by TEA related to the STAAR tests and end-of-course assessments. Adjustments are expected from state officials as the Texas Education Agency continues to clarify questions and concerns regarding STAAR testing program implementation.

  • All EOC STAAR test administrations for out-of-school students will be given at:

    Mesquite Academy
    2704 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150
    972-882-7299