Testing and Assessment
A variety of tests and assessments are available to help students demonstrate their talents, vocational aptitudes, and personal characteristics. Listed below are some of these tests including the Minnesota Basic Skills Tests, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, college admissions tests, and optional tests.
Required Assessments
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
GRAD tests in Language Arts and Mathematics
The MCA measures the degree to which students are proficient in language arts and mathematics. The MCA writing assessment is now given to students in the 9th grade. The reading assessment is given to all 10th grade students and the MCA in mathematics is given to all 11th grade students. Students must meet proficiency levels determined by the State.
Minnesota Basic Skills Tests in Reading and Mathematics (MBST)
For applicable graduating classes, the MBST's in reading and mathematics are administered to students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who have not yet received a score of 600 or above on either test. Demonstration of skills at or above these levels is necessary to receive a diploma from Eden Prairie Schools.
Other Assessments
College Admissions Testing
PSAT- Grade 10 or 11
- Recommended for college-bound juniors. Sophomores may also take the PSAT.
- The PSAT measures verbal, math, and writing skills. It provides practice for SAT Reasoning Test and entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- The ACT is administered on five national test dates. It measures skills in five major curriculum areas: English, mathematics, reading, writing, and science reasoning. Information is available at www.act.org
- The SAT test is primarily a multiple choice and measures critical reading, math, and writing abilities.
- The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge, and should be taken as soon after completing the appropriate coursework as possible.
- Information on the SAT tests is available at www.collegeboard.com.
It is recommended that the college bound juniors take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring of their junior year and that seniors who have not tested or need to retake these test(s) do so in the fall of their senior year.
Advanced Placement Examinations (AP Exams)
- Part of the Advanced Placement Program is the Advanced Placement Examination. Examinations are offered on national test days in May. Successful scores give students the opportunity to receive advanced placement and/or credit in college. AP Examinations are offered in 33 courses covering 19 subject areas.
- See the Gifted and Talented Coordinator for more information.
Eden Prairie High School also has a Credit for Prior Learning policy which provides students the opportunity to demonstrate prior learning. A student may test out of a course if he or she is able to demonstrate prior knowledge and mastery of the course outcomes. Each department determines the appropriate assessments and acceptable level of performance. A student may not test out of any course in which they are currently enrolled. Testing will occur twice per year. All applications for this testing must be completed by November 1 for terms 3 & 4 and April 1 for terms 1 & 2 of the next school year. Forms for the Credit for Prior Learning process are available through the Gifted Services Coordinator.
