Testing
PSAT, October 2009
The PSAT will take place on Wednesday October 14th, 2009. All students in the 10th grade will be required to take the test, which will be paid for by the district. Students in the 9th and 11th grades who wish, and are encouraged, to take the test can sign up with the Treasurer at lunch. The exam fee is $12 for 9th and 11th graders.
For schedules and additional information about Standardized Testing for Oakland Tech students, please check these resources:
2009-10 Assessment Calendar from the OUSD
SAT Registration Information from CollegeBoard.com
CAHSEE Information from the California Department of Education
College Testing Schedule
SAT Registration Deadlines www.collegeboard.com
| Test Dates | Registration Deadline | Late Registration | Test |
| October 10, 2009* | SAT & Subject Tests | September 9, 2009 | September 23 |
| November 7, 2009* | SAT & Subject Tests | October 1, 2009 | October 15 |
| December 5, 2009 | SAT & Subject Tests | October 31, 2009 | November 12 |
| January 23, 2010 | SAT & Subject Tests | December 15, 2009 | December 30 |
| March 13, 2010 * | SAT only | February 4, 2010 | February 18 |
| May 1, 2010* | SAT & Subject Tests | March 25, 2010 | April 8 |
| June 5, 2010 * | SAT & Subject Tests | April 29, 2010 | May 13 |
ACT Registration Deadlines www.actstudent.org
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration |
| September 12, 2009 | August 7, 2009 | August 8 - 21, 2009 |
| October 24, 2009* | September 18, 2009 | September 19 - October 2, 2009 |
| December 12, 2009* | November 6, 2009 | November 7 - 20, 2009 |
| February 6, 2010* | January 5, 2010 | January 6 - 15, 2010 |
| April 10, 2010* | March 5, 2010 | March 6 - 19, 2010 |
| June 12, 2010* | May 7, 2010 | May 8 - 21, 2010 |
*Test administered at Oakland Tech
Testing and Exit Exam
All students must participate in two state testing programs and their performance on these tests are used to determine Oakland Tech’s API rating, which links the school to financial rewards or sanctions from the state.
CAHSEE – All students must achieve a Proficient score of 380 of higher on the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) the first time they take the test in their 10th grade year. Students who score below 380 lower the schools API rating. Students will have numerous opportunities to pass the test, but these retakes do not help raise the API rating. Students must pass CAHSEE by the end of their senior year in order to graduate with a diploma and participate in graduation exercises. Once a student passes a section of the test (Math of English), he or she does not have to take that section again.
Students are encouraged to review this CAHSEE Practice Test prior to taking the CAHSEE examination.
CST – The California Standard’s Test measures the students’ mastery of grade level curriculum in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science. This is part of the STAR Testing program required for all students in grades 2-11. Test results help teachers know how to direct their support for the students’ learning in their classes, and the results are used to calculate the schools API. Students who do not achieve proficient scores may be placed in intervention programs the following year, which may reduce the number of electives and after school activities available to that student. The state penalizes the school for students who do not take the CSTs due to absence or parental waiver, by withholding an API if an insufficient number of students at the school take the test.
District Benchmark Exams – Students take benchmark exams in their English, Math, Science, History, and World Language classes four times a year. These exams are designed to help teachers monitor the progress students are making toward subject matter standards.
Additional Testing Resources
The People’s Test Preparation Service (PTPS) was founded in 1995 at the University of California, Berkeley and is a non-profit, student-run organization dedicated to providing standardized test-taking skills to urban communities.
Most college-bound students know that a critical component for college admissions is the SAT score. Unfortunately, SAT scores are directly correlated with family income levels. SAT scores of low-income students in the East Bay are among the lowest in the state of California. There are only a few SAT preparation services available to low-income youth; prices for commercial test-preparation companies start at $500, which many families cannot afford. Furthermore, there are no major test preparation centers located in Oakland, so even if students are willing and able to pay for an expensive course, they must travel great distances to reach a site.
Therefore, we have targeted college-bound students in the Oakland, Richmond and Berkeley school districts who want to improve their SAT scores but do not have the financial means to afford test preparation programs. Each semester we offer free SAT classes to high school students throughout the East Bay Area.
Please check here for information about PTPS’ free SAT Preparation Classes & Workshops.
