Testing Information

  • ACT: The ACT is a curriculum-based education and career planning tool for high school students that assesses the mastery of college readiness standards.  Most students tend to take the ACT during their junior and senior years of high school, once they have covered the majority of their core coursework. However, students interested in earning college credit in high school (dual enrollment), enrolling in honors classes, or using scores to guide choices about the high school classes and electives are taking their first ACT in their sophomore year.  Recognizing that many students take the ACT more than once, a typical path from your first test to getting your highest scores might look something like this:  

    1. Fall of Junior Year: This is a popular time to take the ACT for the first time. It allows you to establish a baseline score, identify areas of improvement, and plan your subsequent preparation accordingly.  

    2. Spring of Junior Year: By taking the ACT again in the spring, you’ve given yourself time to build on your initial score and continue to refine your skills. This is particularly beneficial if you feel you need more time for preparation after your first attempt.

    3. Fall of Senior Year: If you plan to apply early to colleges, taking the ACT in the fall of your senior year ensures your scores are available for submission. It also provides an opportunity to improve your scores further to maximize your scholarship prospects. Remember, these are general suggestions. Your individual circumstances will be unique and you should choose a testing schedule that aligns with your goals, availability, and how you want to use the information you get from the ACT. 

    Four-year college-bound students should check the college catalog to determine whether the ACT or the SAT would be most appropriate. A fee is charged for this test and you must register directly with ACT ( www.actstudent.org ).

    Advanced Placement Testing- AP Exams will be administered in schools over two weeks in May and the information will be given to students taking AP classes on campus.  

    • Spanish Literature is May 16, 2025

    ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery:  Each year an Armed Services representative administers the ASVAB to interested students. Test results help the student determine areas of occupational interest and aptitude. Students interested in this test should visit the CTEC for details. The Armed Services charge no fee for this test, and test-takers are under no obligation to enlist.  http://www.military.com/ASVAB 

    CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAM:  This is a test that the State Board of Education offers to eligible persons to demonstrate proficiency in the basic skills taught in California public high schools, as defined by the average performance of second-semester seniors in those schools. Each person who passes the CHSPE is awarded a Certificate of Proficiency, which is considered equivalent to a high school diploma. This test is administered by the Educational Testing Services. A fee is charged for this test. Successful passage of this examination provides the student with a “certificate of completion,” not a diploma.

    California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP):  CAASPP is a statewide system of assessments that provides information about student learning to help teachers, parents, and administrators improve teaching and student outcomes.  Students in grades 3–8 and 11 take these assessments in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics each spring.

    Testing dates for 2025

    • April 1st -11th

    California Science Test (CAST):  High school students will have only one opportunity to take a science test their junior year.   Students in grade twelve, who have not yet taken a science test, will automatically be registered to test. Students repeating grade twelve are not eligible to test a second time.

    Testing dates for 2025

    • April 1st -11th

    English Language Proficiency Assessment for California(ELPAC) School districts are required to administer this test to students whose home language is not English. The purpose of the ELPAC is to identify new students who are English Learners in grades K-12 to determine their level of English proficiency and to annually assess their progress toward becoming fluent in English. Schools must administer the ELPAC annually to all English Learners until they are reclassified from English Learner to Fluent English Proficient. This test assesses the following skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

    Testing dates for 2025

    • 9th-10th grade March 4th-7th

    • 11th and 12th grade March 10th-14th

    PSAT: The PSAT is taken by juniors who sign up for the test in the guidance office at the end of September for the October test (no make-up tests are available).  In addition to providing information about the student's aptitude for college-level studies, the PSAT scores are used by the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) service to determine National Merit semi-finalists. Students planning to attend college should take this test. 

    Testing date

    • October 9, 2024

    Physical Fitness Testing-  Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test. The FITNESSGRAM® has six parts, though California currently requires five parts be completed annually, that show a level of fitness that offer a degree of defense against diseases that come from inactivity. The test results can be used by students, teachers, and parents.

    SAT:  This is a four-year college entrance examination generally taken during the Junior and/or Senior year.  Some colleges require this test for admission.  A fee is charged for this test and students register directly with College Board (www.collegeboard.com).  The test is given locally at Taft Union High School in October and March each year.

    Testing Dates at Taft Union High School

    • October 5th Registration deadline Sept. 20,2024

    • March 8th  Registration deadline Feb. 21, 2025

    ELPAC-English Language Proficiency Assessment for California

    The ELPAC is the required state test for English language proficiency that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English.  State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of English language proficiency to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve.  More information is available at the California Department of Education Website:  https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ep/

    Alternative ELPAC:  The Initial Alternate ELPAC is the required state test for identification of English language proficiency that is administered to eligible students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and whose individualized education program (IEP) team has designated the use of an alternate assessment on statewide summative assessments. 

    • Introduction to the Alternative ELPAC video for Parents:  English   Spanish
    • A Parent Guide to Understanding The Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (Alternate ELPAC)  English    Spanish

    For more information:  https://www.caaspp-elpac.org/assessments/elpac/initial-alternate 

     

     
Last Modified on October 3, 2024