Nathan Hale High School

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Assessments

Assessments at Nathan Hale

Advanced Placement Testing

Advanced Placement Testing Information for 2022-23

The district has not updated their AP Testing webpage as of start of school (September 2023) but the above link should go to the page once updated.

The deadline to register for AP Tests this school year is Wednesday, November 1st. Students planning to take AP exams in May 2024 may register on the College Board website. The link to submit payment for registered tests is via the Nathan Hale HS 2024 AP Exams Schoolpay link.

SAT

The SAT will be administered to all seniors at Nathan Hale on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The school district has registered all students for these free exams. It has not been confirmed yet for this exam but it’s likely students will take the test in Mentorship class again this year.

The SAT covers reading, writing, and math. The Seattle Public Library offers tutors for SAT practice through Tutor.com. All SPS students have access to this free opportunity. If you don’t have a library card you can use your student ID to get access.

To prepare for the SAT, students can access practice materials:

Students can link their college board account to Khan Academy and get a personalized practice plan using the results of their PSAT/NMSQT exam if they have taken it. Students need a College Board account to access results online. Exam scores can be used for college admission. You may send 4 reports to colleges of your choosing for free.

PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT/NMSQT test date for juniors at Nathan Hale has been confirmed for Thursday, 10/19 (Sarah Fraser’s English 101 classes), Tuesday, 10/24 (Joel Jacobson’s English 101 classes) and Wednesday, 10/25 (students in David Heald, Starr McKittrick and Chris Mulder’s English 101 classes). Running Start juniors should contact Lori Takahashi, Counseling Secretary, at latakahashi@seattleschools.org, to schedule either Thursday, 10/19 or Tuesday 10/24 to take the test. Students should be in the library by 8:50am with their charged district/SPS laptop. The school district will register all students for these free exams. 

Smarter Balance ELA, Math & Science

The 9th grade class will take the Smarter Balance English/Language Arts, Math and Science exams. The date to be determined. These exams are computer adaptive and measure grade level skills from the 20-21 school year. The tests have been redesigned to be shorter than in the past and no longer have a performance task. Freshmen will take the test on their school laptops. Personal devices cannot be used. Headphones will be available to those who need them.

Meeting standard on the SBA tests satisfy the graduation Pathway requirement. Juniors and seniors who have not yet passed or students who would like to improve their score are eligible to take the exam.

How you can better understand your student’s test results

Students who have already demonstrated standard with the SBA-Math or SBA-ELA as 10th graders do not have to re-take the exam. A score of 3 or above may be used for placement purposes for college admission.

Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (W-CAS)

Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (W-CAS) is a testing requirement and is administered to juniors. Content tested include biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. This is an online test.

Assessment Support Resources

Tutor.com

Virtual Tutoring is available to Seattle Public Schools students. Visit the SPL Virtual Tutoring webpage for more information.

  • Live English and Spanish tutors are available from 2-10 p.m. daily.
  • Vietnamese tutors are available from 4-7 p.m.

Log in to Tutor.com with a Library card or Library Link Number and PIN. Find out how to use your Seattle Public Schools student ID number.

Tutors can help with any school subject, including:

  • Math
  • Writing
  • Science
  • History
  • AP Classes
  • College Essay Writing
  • Job Applications, Cover Letters and Resumes
Log in to Tutor.com

Test Day – What do I do?

On the day of the test students should arrive at the Main Gym at 7:45 for check-in. It’s important that students have had breakfast and a good night’s sleep. Pencils and a calculator are required (no mechanical pencils.) It is a good idea to bring water and a snack for during the break. You need a calculator.

Here’s what will happen:

  • Get your answer key from your counselor in the Commons
  • Power down all devices, put them away, stow your things by the bleachers and be seated
  • The test supervisor will read all instructions verbatim from a manual and can answer questions only about procedure, not about test questions or content
  • The test supervisor will tell you when to start and stop working on each section
  • You must work within each section of the test only for the time allotted
  • You may not go back to a section once that section has ended
  • You may not go ahead to a new section if you finish a section early
  • Do not skip sections. Doing so may result in score cancellation, delays, or both
  • After the test is finished the test supervisor will collect and count the test books to make sure all materials have been turned in
  • Students may not leave the testing room until the test supervisor dismisses them
Breaks

There is one 10-minute and one five-minute break during the test, the only times you can eat and drink.

  • Test books, answer sheets, and calculators must remain on your desk during breaks
  • A small snack will be provided during the longer break
Devices

We mention cell phones and electronics often, and for good reason. Your scores will be canceled if you don’t follow the rules around devices. Absolutely no phones allowed during the test for any reason.

Although the test can be taken without a calculator: bring a calculator!