Testing - Pittsburg High School

Testing Information Center

Pittsburg High School

Mission: At Pittsburg High School, we strive to provide a secure and standardized environment for students to take various assessments, including placement tests, entrance exams, and professional certification exams.

Assessments play a crucial role in assessing a student's academic skills, determining eligibility for Dual Credit courses, and helping with course placement.

PHS is an online testing campus for currently enrolled PHS students only.

PHS Testing is scheduled yearly. We work to disrupt academic classes as little as possible. Students are allowed to select their test dates from the PHS pre-planned dates.

PHS Testing provided:

ACT School Day
ASVAB
PSAT School Day
SAT School Day
STAAR End of Course Exams
TELPAS and LAS Links (progress measuring tests for Emergent Bilingual students)
TSIA2
Certification Tests-given by the Course Teachers at the appropriate times

Things to know before you test:

NOTICE:

Cheating is prohibited! Any attempt to copy or distribute test material, attempt to get answers from the internet, software programs, hard copy materials, other devices or test takers is strictly prohibited. Punishments will likely be assigned according to the Student Handbook and/or assessment program rules. Testers violating any of an assessment program's rules may even be prohibited from testing in the future.

Do not expect to choose your seat.

What to Bring:

A Photo ID is required for all tests. Student ID, driver’s license, state ID, and/or a current yearbook photo matching the tester are valid forms of ID. No one will be admitted without a valid photo ID.

(Appropriate items admitted when testing)

pencil
kleenex
light jacket
photo ID
water bottle & small snack for the break
calculator (when allowed by the test program)
Testing Device (not required for ACT)
Device charger

What NOT to Bring:

Other Food or Drinks
Cell Phones/Smart Watches or watches with sound
Any electronic devices
Backpacks, large bags, or purses
Hats/Caps

Test Day Planning & Additional Reminders:

Dress Comfortably.
Get a good night’s rest.
Be on time.
Bring glasses if needed.
Report cheating if witnessed and comply with all testing rules.
Prepare for belongings to be away from you during testing.
No use of electronic devices until after the entire test.
Read emails sent about testing.

Test Details & Information

ACT

At PHS, we offer the ACT School Day (No Writing) assessment to 11^th & 12th grades. Beginning in Spring 2026, the ACT will allow us to transition to ACT without the Science portion. Information on ACT National Test Dates can be found on www.ACT.org.

register for the PHS School Day ACT

When is the best time for students to test?

We have found that in the second semester of taking Algebra II is when students perform better on college testing.

Is there a Fee Waiver for SAT?

Some students may be eligible for a fee waiver, but these are only available to students who qualify on NATIONAL/WEEKEND testings. PHS is not a National or Weekend Testing Center. Students should discuss fee waiver eligibility and benefits with their School Counselor.

What are the PHS Test Dates?

PHS testing dates are once per semester (typically October and March)

How is the test scored?

Your scores will be based only on the number of questions that you answer correctly; there is no penalty for guessing. Try to answer every question within the time limit allowed for each section.

What to expect on test day?

Students should report to their assigned testing area by 8:00 a.m. Examinees are then checked in and given their seat. A short break is scheduled between tests. Students taking the ACT School Day (No Writing) at PHS are normally dismissed to their regular schedule before 12:00 p.m.

What is the Cost?

$40 or the use of your one free test beginning from Spring of the Junior year or anytime during the Senior year. The free test is provided by the state in accordance with HB3 guidance.

ACT School Day Test fee for Fall Semesters:

12th grade students who have not used their free test, may test at no cost.

For all other 11th & 12th grade examinees, the ACT School Day cost is $40.

ACT School Day Test fee for Spring Semesters:

11th & 12th grade students who have not used their free test, may test at no cost.

For all other 11th & 12th grade examinees, the ACT School Day cost is $40.

How many questions are there and how long will the ACT take?

English: 75 questions - 45 minutes
Mathematics: 60 questions - 60 minutes
Reading: 40 questions - 35 minutes
Science: 40 questions - 35 minutes (removed beginning January 2026)

Practice materials:

www.ACT.org

http://www.testprepreview.com/

https://www.mometrix.com/academy/act-practice-test/

Attention:

Students requesting to test with accommodations, MUST email and attend a meeting with Mrs. Jessica Ramsey 8 weeks prior to testing. This is to allow time for documentation and the ACT program to approve the accommodations request. Bring the following signed form to Mrs. Ramsey.

Consent to Release Information to ACT (PDF) form.

ASVAB

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.

register for the PHS School Day asvab

When is the test offered?

One time a year at PHS, usually given in November.

Where do I take this test?

On the Pittsburg High School Campus.

What is the Cost?

Free! There is no cost to take the ASVAB test.

More information about the ASVAB

Subtests within the ASVAB

Sample Questions

PSAT

At PHS, we offer the PSAT/NMSQT School Day (No Writing) assessment to 10^th & 11th grade students. Several scholarships use PSAT/NMSQT scores to find eligible juniors. Other partners and programs can help you get funding for college and academic honors.

register for the PHS School Day psat

What are the PHS Test Dates?

PHS testing dates are during the Fall Semester only (typically October)

What to expect on test day?

Students should report to their assigned testing area by 8:00 a.m. Examinees are then checked in and given their seat. A short break is scheduled between tests. Students taking the PSAT at PHS are normally dismissed to their regular schedule before 12:00 p.m.

What is the Cost?

$18 or a fee waiver is available for 11^th graders who qualify. Students should discuss these options with their School Counselor. The free waiver slip given by the School Counselor is to use as the student’s form of payment.

More information on the PSAT

Practice materials for the PSAT/NMSQT

Attention:

Students requesting to test with accommodations, MUST email and attend a meeting with Mrs. Ramsey 8 weeks prior to testing. This is to allow time for documentation and the College Board to approve the accommodations request. Bring the following signed form to Mrs. Ramsey.

Consent Form for Accommodation Request

SAT

The Scholastic Aptitude Test is a standardized exam that is used to determine readiness for colleges, scholarships, military academies, NCAA eligibility, and more.

register for the PHS School Day sAt

When is the best time for students to test?

We have found that in the second semester of taking Algebra II is when students perform better on college testing.

Is there a Fee Waiver for SAT?

What are the PHS Test Dates?

PHS testing dates are once per semester (typically October and March)

What is the Cost?

SAT School Day Test fee for Fall Semesters:

For 11th grade examinees, the SAT School Day cost is $60.

12th graders who have not used their free test, may test at no cost.

For 12th grade examinees, the SAT School Day cost is $42.

SAT School Day Test fee for Spring Semesters:

11th & 12th grade students who have not used their free test, may test at no cost.

For all other examinees, the SAT School Day cost is $42.

Practice materials:

Khan Academy

Attention:

Consent Form for Accommodation Request

STAAR

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) is a standardized academic achievement test designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the defined knowledge and skills in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) at each tested grade, subject, and course. Every STAAR question is directly aligned to the TEKS currently in effect for the grade and subject or course being assessed.

STAAR helps to ensure that Texas students are competitive with other students both nationally and internationally. Another important function of STAAR is gauging how well schools and teachers prepare their students academically.

In addition, STAAR fulfills the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which requires that all students be assessed in specific grades and subjects throughout their academic careers.

STAAR is an online assessment in mathematics, reading language arts (RLA), science, and social studies for students in grades 3–8 and high school.

Pittsburg High School administers the following End-of-Course Exams after students have been enrolled in the course for a full year - Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History.

More information can be found at: https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/staar

TELPAS and LAS

The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) is an English language proficiency assessment aligned to the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). This assessment is designed to assess the progress that emergent bilingual (EB) students make in learning the English language. TELPAS fulfills ESSA requirements for assessing EB students in kindergarten through grade 12 in four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Who is tested?

All Emergent Bilingual students in kindergarten through grade 12 enrolled in Texas public schools or open-enrollment charter schools are required to participate in TELPAS. EB students are required to be assessed annually with an English language proficiency assessment until they meet EB reclassification criteria.

More information can be found at:

https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/telpas

TSIA2

The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is a series of placement tests for students enrolling in dual credit courses or public colleges and universities in Texas. The tests help Texas schools determine whether you’re ready for college-level courses in the areas of reading, writing, and math.

register for the PHS after School tsia2

When is the best time for students to test?

For the English and Reading portion of testing, we have found that after completing English I is best. For the Math portion of testing, we have found in the second semester of taking Algebra II is when students perform best.

Reminders

Testing is in classroom 410.
*You may complete registration for each test you want to take.

What is the Cost?

Cost: $2 per unit used

The Math is $2-4. The Reading is $4-6. The Essay is $4.

*Students pay at the end of their test when we know how many units were used.

Will the TSIA2 be offered during the School Day?

Yes. Google Form sign-ups for these dates will be sent to student email addresses a week before the STAAR testing weeks. Students signing up will only be allowed to test on a first-come, first-served basis as staff & room capacity allow.

What is the TSIA2 Essay Scoring Criteria?

The TSI essay is scored on an 8-point scale, with 8 being the highest score and 1 being the lowest.

There are six distinct categories upon which these essays are graded: Purpose and Focus; Organization and Structure; Development and Support; Sentence Variety and Style; Mechanical Conventions; Critical Thinking.

Look at the chart below for more information about each category:

TSIA2 Study Materials

Before a student’s first attempt at a TSIA2, they are required to provide proof of the Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) and TSIA2 Practice for Texas Students.

To obtain a certificate, complete the ELAR and Math portions.

click here to complete the pre-assessment

INSTRUCTIONS:

Select "Sign up" at the bottom of the link.
Use a PERSONAL email, not your school email, create a password, Sign In. SAVE this INFORMATION for later.
Select the 3rd option "(TSIA2-PAA)".
Click begin pre-assessment, begin, enter Pittsburg ISD, select "I agree".
You should be into the "PAA Student Experience", follow the rest of the prompts.
You must have a screenshot or be able to login & show the certificate to a test proctor before testing proving that you completed the PAA. It will be in your Profile, then "History".

Attention:

Students requesting to test with accommodations, MUST meet with Mrs. Ramsey 8 weeks prior to testing.

TSIA2 Features

The TSIA2 testing platform includes several built-in features often used for testing accommodations that are available to all students and do not require prior approval:

• Untimed – there is no minimum/maximum time allotted for testing however, students should be aware of the hours of operation at the testing center or school where they are taking the test.

• Save and Finish Later – students may take a break during the test by selecting the “save and finish later” option. Students selecting this option must return to complete the test within 10 calendar days. This option is not available for the essay section, which must be started and completed within the same testing session.

• Accessibility Wizard – the accessibility Wizard allows students to change the appearance of the testing screens to include text size, color scheme, line spacing, and background and text color.

• Calculators – the TSIA2 has three (3) built-in calculator options available for appropriate mathematics test questions: basic 4-function, square root, and graphing. Students are encouraged to view the calculator tutorial in the Student Portal prior to testing to understand how to use this tool during testing.

• Highlighter – the TSIA2 has a tool available for highlighting purposes in any narratives, including reading passages, of the TSIA2 multiple choice sections and the prompts of the essay. Students are encouraged to view the highlighter tutorial in the Student Portal prior to testing in order to understand how to use this tool during testing.

Strategies for Test Taking:

Read the directions for each test carefully before beginning the test.
Read each question carefully before selecting the answer.
Pay attention to the time — don’t spend too much time on one individual question, if that means there won’t be enough time to answer later questions.
When the answer to a question is unknown, try to rule out as many incorrect choices as possible, and then make an educated guess from the remaining answers.

Don’t get hung up trying to answer the difficult questions — answer the easy questions first and then return to the more difficult questions.
Answer every question. If time runs short, it is to one’s advantage to fill in random guesses for the remaining items, as there is no penalty for guessing.
Review answers if there is time remaining.
Make sure only one response per question is selected on paper assessment answer documents, and erase completely if an answer is changed.

Simplified ACT, PSAT, SAT, & TSIA2 PRICING Guidelines:

The College Preparation Assessment Reimbursement, authorized by Texas Education Code (TEC) allows Texas schools to be reimbursed ONE time per student for either a/an SAT or ACT assessment if taken on a school day during the Spring of their Junior year or anytime their Senior year. Below are costs for all others. (These costs are NOT set by PHS.)

*PSAT fee waivers are available to 11th graders only based on eligibility determined by the College Board. Students should see their counselor for eligibility.

10^th Grade:

PSAT - $18
TSIA2 - $2 per unit

11^th Grade:

PSAT - $18 or waiver
ACT - $40
SAT - $60
TSIA2 - $2 per unit

12^th Grade:

ACT - $40
SAT - $42
TSIA2 - $2 per unit

*SAT & ACT Fee Reductions & Waivers are for National Tests ONLY (Offered on Saturdays usually). We are a School Day site, not National Day site.

Jessica Ramsey

Special Programs Administrator and Testing Coordinator

903-856-3646, ext. 2003

jramsey@pittsburgisd.net

In This Section

Testing Information Center

PHS Testing provided:

Things to know before you test:

NOTICE:

What to Bring:

What NOT to Bring:

Test Day Planning & Additional Reminders:

Test Details & Information

ACT

ASVAB

PSAT

SAT

STAAR

TELPAS and LAS

TSIA2

Strategies for Test Taking:

Jessica Ramsey

Special Programs Administrator and Testing Coordinator

Logo Image

Logo Title