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Testing

Riverdale administers various statewide and college-readiness exams throughout the year, along with finals at the end of each trimester.

Note: SAT or ACT performance is a major factor used in the college admissions process at many colleges and universities. Riverdale High School students are encouraged to take the SAT and/or ACT at least twice between the spring of their junior year and fall of their senior year.  

PSAT/NMSQT

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading, mathematics and writing skills. It serves to provide feedback about critical academic skills, familiarity and preparation for the SAT, and enters juniors in the National Merit Scholarship competition. Additionally, the PSAT is one of several tests that the state of Oregon will accept as evidence for meeting the Essential Skills requirements in reading and math. This test does not exempt students from taking the state test during their high school career, but it does provide additional opportunities to achieve a passing score. A score of 44 or greater in reading and 45 or greater in math demonstrates proficiency in those subjects. 

PSAT/NMSQ testing at Riverdale High School: (typically in October)

ACT

The American College Test is a standardized college admissions instrument. An achievement test, the ACT consists of Math, Science, English, Reading and an optional Writing section. It also includes a career planning tool. The ACT is administered each year to juniors.

ACT testing at Riverdale High school: (typically in April)

Students should arrive by 8:45 a.m. to allow time to check in. Testing will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Late students will not be permitted to test.

There are additional testing dates available throughout the year at different venues.

ACT Aspire

The ACT Aspire is a pre-test taken by freshmen and sophomores that predicts ACT scores, as well as academic strengths and college readiness. While the ACT is a paper and pencil test, the ACT Aspire will be taken electronically on RHS Chromebooks.

ACT Aspire testing at Riverdale High school: Date TBD (typically in April)

Students should arrive by 8:45 a.m. to allow time to check in. Testing will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Late students will not be permitted to test.

SAT

The SAT (SAT Reasoning Test) is a standardized college admissions instrument. The 3-hour and 45 minute College Board exam includes Math, Critical Reading and Writing sections.

The SAT is not administered at Riverdale High School. However, a list of available dates and venues will be posted outside the college advisor's office.

AP Exams

While the high school offers no formal Advanced Placement classes, our rigorous academic curriculum prepares students to succeed in the exams. We encourage our students to take AP exams and we proctor the tests each year at the high school.

AP Exams at Riverdale High School: (typically in May)

College Board Subject Tests

Many selective colleges require subject tests. Please see the college websites for information. Families arrange for these tests independently through the College Board website.

Smarter Balanced

Smarter Balanced is aligned to the Common Core State Standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics and is designed to help prepare all students to graduate high school college- and career-ready. High school students will be tested in the final 12 weeks of their junior year, with interim assessments throughout the high school years.

Smarter Balanced Testing:

  • English Language Arts testing
  • Math testing