Standardized Testing
Standardized admission tests are intended to create a common measure for comparing students' skills, and evaluate how ready students are for college-level work. Review the tabs below for detailed information on testing offered through Lakes International Language Academy.
ACT
The American College Test (ACT) contains four multiple-choice tests - English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science - and an optional Writing test. The score range for each of the four tests is 1-36. The Composite score is the average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number.
Students at Lakes International Language Academy have two ACT test-taking options:
- At LILA - The ACT is offered once each spring. Students will be notified of the testing date, location, and registration information in the winter.
- Other Locations - National test dates occurring at separate testing locations are available on the ACT website. Registration begins by creating an account at actstudent.org. It takes approximately 30 minutes to register, and requires users to create a username and password. Additional registration support for national test dates can be found on the ACT website, or by contacting them directly.
LILA's College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Code: 240-006
Related Information:
- Fee waivers are available.
- Test accommodations must be requested prior to the exam date using the deadlines established by ACT.
- Unofficial ACT Scores are included on student transcripts unless specifically requested to be removed.
- Official ACT Scores must be requested and sent through ACT.
SAT
The Suite of Assessments (SAT) includes Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and optional Essay tests. Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. The total SAT score is the sum of the section scores. The highest possible SAT score is 1600. Since it is optional, the Essay has a separate score.
Students must register to take the SAT by visiting the College Board's registration website.
LILA's College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Code: 240-006
Related Information:
- Fee waivers are available.
- Test accommodations must be requested prior to the exam date using the deadlines established by the College Board.
- SAT Scores are not included on student transcripts, and must be requested/sent directly through the College Board.
PSAT
The Preliminary Suite of Assessments, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT® (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a preliminary version of the SAT. It is not a college admissions exam, and students are not required to take the exam. However, it is the only test used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students can only take the PSAT once per year as a sophomore and/or junior. The PSAT score is based on two scores - Reading and Writing, and Math. Each section is scored between 160 and 760, adding up to an overall score between 320-1520.
LILA offers this exam every October. Registration will be available in September by contacting the School Counseling office.
Related Information:
- Fee waivers are available.
- Test accommodations must be requested prior to the exam date using the deadlines established by the College Board.
IB DP Exams
The International Baccalaureate (IB) assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme (DP) courses. The assessment measures the extent to which students have mastered advanced academic skills such as analyzing and presenting information, evaluating and constructing arguments, and solving problems creatively. Basic skills are also assessed, including retaining knowledge, understanding key concepts, and applying standard methods. In addition to academic skills, DP assessment encourages international-mindedness and intercultural skills. Student results are determined by performance against set standards, not by each student's position in the overall rank order. The IB uses both internal and external assessments. Students registered in IB Diploma Programme courses will be registered for the IB exams.
External Assessment
Examinations form the basis of the assessment for most courses. This is because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability. They include:
- essays
- structured problems
- short-response questions
- data-response questions
- text-response questions
- case-study questions
- multiple-choice questions (though these are rarely used)
Internal Assessments
Teacher assessment is also used for most courses. This includes:
- oral work in languages
- fieldwork in geography
- laboratory work in the sciences
- investigations in mathematics
- artistic performances.
Related Information:
- Test accommodations must be requested prior to the exam date using deadlines established by the International Baccalaureate.
- IB DP exam scores will be available in the summer after graduation.
- The IB provides an official transcript of grades for the DP. Before the results are released, students can request to have results sent to six universities free of charge, and request to additional transcripts as well. Learn more about requesting a transcript.
ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) measures students' knowledge and ability in four areas. It is not an IQ test, it is a multi-aptitude test. The assessment is not limited to those interested in the military. It is offered each year to students at LILA as a resource to assess aptitude and the relationship of skill levels needed in industry areas.
The ASVAB assessment is free, and registration information will be shared each fall.
Lakes International Language Academy will not share scores with military recruiters. It is the student's responsibility to share their scores.
