In Denver Public Schools, the ACCUPLACER assessment serves a dual purpose, as a passing score gives students the opportunity to both demonstrate competency for graduation and enroll in concurrent enrollment courses. ACCUPLACER data specifically supports strategic placement into college-level courses for all students on high school and college campuses and also serves as one measure of progress monitoring toward high school graduation requirements for select cohorts of students.

 Learn more about ACCUPLACER by clicking here and here. 

The College-Level Examination Program is offered through College Board and provides students the opportunity to earn college credit for what they already know by passing an exam in one of 33 different content areas. If students earn a passing score on the exam they have the opportunity to earn discounted college credit at one of almost 2,800 colleges and universities nationwide. 

For more information on CLEP, please click here. 

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and Denver Public Schools (DPS) offers testing opportunities for students in the SAT Suite of Assessment. These include: PSAT 9 for 9th graders, PSAT 10 for 10th graders and the PSAT/NMSQT (fall National Merit qualifier) and Colorado SAT for 11th graders (spring).  

In addition to an academic benchmark and DPS graduation readiness indicator, the SAT is a college entrance exam created by the College Board and is used by most colleges and universities in the admissions process. 

There are two sections to the SAT: math and evidence-based reading & writing. The SAT takes three hours to complete. The two sections are scored on a 200 to 800 point scale for a combined possible score between 400 and 1600.  There is an optional essay portion as well which is an additional 50 minutes.  

DPS, in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Education and College Board, is working to provide every 11th grader an opportunity to participate in a (free) unique national assessment called the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). In addition to being a great practice test for the SAT, the scores are used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit and other outstanding scholarships.

There are several benefits to preparing for and taking the SAT Suite of Assessments. Students can receive access to additional scholarship providers as well as admission and financial aid information from colleges and universities. Students can also explore majors of study and careers through the College Board. Student score reports can also recommend Advanced Placement (AP) and similar Concurrent Enrollment courses that might be good matches.  

We recommend using Khan Academy as a main resource to prepare for the SAT/PSAT. Khan Academy offers practice that is official, personalized, interactive and best of all, FREE! There are full length practice tests, video lessons, interactive problems and instant feedback. Students can create and link their College Board and Khan Academy accounts to get a personalized practice plan. Creating a College Board and/or Khan Academy account is optional and voluntary for students. This creates a great opportunity to connect your academic teachers as an SAT Coach to support students' progress toward exam readiness.

For the 2020-21 School Year:

• The College Board and National Merit is offering an additional administration of the PSAT/NMSQT for 10th and 11th graders on January 26, 2021.
• This date is optional and offered at the discretion of the School Leadership Team. 
• This PSAT/NMSQT will have the same benefits as the October PSAT/NMSQT, including eligibility for programs administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

• The Colorado School Day Administration of the SAT for 11th graders is scheduled for April 13, 2021.
• The make-up test date is April 27, 2021.

• The Colorado School Day Administration of the PSAT for 9th and 10th graders is scheduled for April 13-15, 2021.
• The make-up test date is April 27-28, 2021.

Check out additional information here.