Assessments
Assessments at West Seattle High School
West Seattle Seniors and Families, if you have any questions regarding your required state tests, please contact Testing Coordinator Amy Doll at asdoll@seattleschools.org
All students in grade 10 are required to take the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA). All students in grade 11 are required to take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS). A parent or guardian may opt out a student by submitting a Refusal Request. Students who do not participate will receive a “zero” score on the assessment and be considered non-proficient. This may impact the student’s future class choices.
- April 1–5: Smarter Balanced Assessments ELA (all grade 10 students)
- May 20–22 & May 28–30: Smarter Balanced Assessments Math (all grade 10 students and grade 11 students in Algebra II and Geometry)
- May–June: Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science WCAS (all grade 11 students in Science class, dates TBD)
Smarter Balanced Assessments
All Students are required to meet State Standards in English Language and Math to earn a diploma. The most efficient way to demonstrate proficiency is by taking and passing the state exams given to students in the spring of their sophomore year.
Students must bring a district issued laptop; WSHS will provide headphones and test tickets. The SBA Assessment is untimed (ELA averages 3–4 hours and Math averages 2–3). SBA Assessments are divided into two sections:
- CAT (computer adaptive test) 20 items
- PT (performance task)
- Segment one: Short answer or constructed response
- Segment two: Longer writing task associated with the same articles/sources
Items prohibited during test sessions:
- Backpacks/bags, cell phones, AirPods/earbuds, smart watches, other electronics
All items will be collected from students with no access (including during breaks) until class is dismissed. Items found on students will result in canceled scores.
Advanced Placement Exams: May 6-17, 2024
| EXAM | DATE/Time | Location |
| Government | Monday 5/6 7:30-12PM | Gym |
| Statistics | Tuesday 5/7 11:30-3:30PM | Gym |
| English Literature | Wednesday 5/8 7:30 -12PM | Gym |
| Chinese Language | Thursday 5/9 8:30 -12PM | Library |
| Environmental Science | Thursday 5/9 7:30-12PM | Gym |
| 2D Art and Design | 5/9 Digital Portfolio Due 1-2PM | Room 123G |
| 3D Art and Design | 5/9 Digital Portfolio Due 1-2PM | Room 123G |
| US History | Friday 5/10 7:30 -12PM | Gym |
| Calculus BC | Monday 5/13 7:30 -12PM | Gym |
| English Language | Tuesday 5/14 7:30 – 12PM | Gym |
| World History | Wednesday 5/15 7:30 -12PM | Gym |
| Computer Science Principles | Wednesday 5/15 12:00- 3:30PM | Library |
| Spanish Language | Thursday 5/16 7:30 – 12PM | Library |
| Biology | Thursday 5/16 11:45- 3:30PM | Gym |
| Physics | Friday 5/17 7:45 – 12PM | Gym |
| Late Exams | Wednesday 5/22 8:00-12PM | Library |
| French Language | Thursday 5/23 11:45-4PM | Library |
Seniors SAT Information
SPS SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
Get SAT Ready!
- On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, West Seattle HS students in Grade 12 will be given the school day SAT.
- SPS students will be automatically registered for the tests. There is no charge for the exam.
- Create your free College Board account
- Check out the College Board website for FREE test prep resources.
- Review approved calculators for SAT – contact your counselor if you need help obtaining a calculator for the test.
The SAT is an additional pathway to graduation. A qualifying score on the SAT can be used to satisfy the graduation requirement for ELA and/or math. Students scoring 410 on the ELA and a 430 on Math sections will meet Grad Pathway requirement.
For current information about the Seattle Public School’s School Day SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) please refer to the district SAT webpage.
Arrive Early for Exam Day 10/11 @8:30am
Come Prepared to Test
- Dress in Layers you are testing in the gym (blankets are not allowed)
- No Bag Check Leave your phone, wearable technology and headphones at home. Phones found in testing location will be searched and students will be dismissed, any testing related information found on the phone and the student will be banned from future College Board exams.
- Bring #2 pencils and calculator
- Snacks and Water Bottles must be labeled with Student name and left in the back of the classroom. Food and water can only be accessed during scheduled breaks.
SAT Understanding Scores and Reporting
SAT scores are released online (date to be posted) by the CollegeBoard. Students will need to log in to their CollegeBoard account to view their scores.
Check out the following resources on SAT scores
- How to Get Your Scores
- Understanding your SAT Scores | Finding out how SAT scores are calculated, score structure, what SAT scoring means for you.
- How to Send SAT Scores | Information about sending your SAT scores.
Resources and Information
Visit the Free SAT Practice at CollegeBoard for testing tips and resources.
Refer to the district SAT page for more information about testing and Seattle Public Schools.
This school year the BHS Counselors want to encourage all 12th graders to take it as it is an opportunity to meet the Graduation Pathway requirement. The Graduation Pathway requirement can be met a few different ways including taking and earning a cut score on the SBA, SAT or ACT. Or also, by taking and passing a college level English and college level math course.
Seattle Public School SAT Info & Resources
The SAT is the most widely used college admission test in the country. SAT scores demonstrate students are prepared for college with necessary skills and knowledge.
Students who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch (FRL) may be eligible to receive additional benefits from the College Board such as free SAT tests and unlimited sending of scores. In order to receive these benefits, applicants must check the box on the form for ‘Pre College Exams’ in section number 7 of the form and sign. Visit the Seattle Public Schools School Day SAT page for more information.
The school-day administration offers these benefits:
- No cost. The school day test is free for SPS students. No action is required of families in advance.
- Students may also send up to four score reports for free. The school-day test permits students to send score reports to as many as four colleges or scholarship programs.
- Additional pathway to graduation. A qualifying score on the SAT can be used as a graduation pathway for English Language Arts ELA and/or math.
The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) focuses on the knowledge and skills that the best evidence indicates are essential for college and career readiness and success. This test is composed of four sections: Math, Reading, Writing and Language, and Essay.
Additional Resources
- College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Download the official College Board SAT student guide.
- PSAT Score Report Video To Practice For SAT Understand your PSAT scores and how to link your test results with free Khan Academy® practice tests tailored just for you to prepare for the SAT.
- Khan Academy SAT Practice The College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to provide a personalized practice program.
- SAT Prep For general information regarding the SAT.
School Day grade 11 PSAT on October 12th, 2022
Juniors Get PSAT/NMSQT Ready!
- West Seattle HS is proud to offer the PSAT free of charge to our juniors. This year the PSAT is a digital exam, and the exam length is 2 hours, 15 minutes. Test sessions are assigned based on ELA class, so if you have an English class at WSHS please reference the schedule below for your test date. The AM session will run 8:50-11:10 and the PM session will run 12:45-3:00. Students must arrive on time; late arrivals will not be admitted to the exam.
- Students with accommodations and/or IEP can test on Friday, 10/27. Students testing with extra time are adding 32 minutes to reading/writing and 35 minutes to math sections (required to use all the extra time).
- If you do not have an ELA class at WSHS, you will test on Friday, October 20th.
- If you have questions, please contact testing coordinator Amy Doll at asdoll@seattleschools.org
- ALL TESTING is in the SCHOOL LIBRARY REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE LIBRARY
- Testing Schedule:
- DATE & Session Teacher/Class period
- Friday 10/20 AM session Running Start Students
- Monday 10/23 AM session Glover 1st and 2nd period students
- Tuesday 10/24 AM session Rosen 2nd and 3rd period students
- Tuesday 10/24 PM session Rosen 4th period students
- Wednesday 10/25 AM session Harris 1st and 2nd period students
- Thursday 10/26 AM session Harris 3rd period students
- Thursday 10/26 PM session Harris 5th & 6th period students
- Friday 10/27 AM session Accommodated Students
- Create your free College Board account
- Check out the College Board website for FREE test prep resources.
- Review approved calculators for the PSAT – contact your Counselor if you need help obtaining a calculator for the test.
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT/NMSQT) helps Juniors prepare for the SAT and is used to qualify students for scholarships and advanced learning opportunities.
The PSAT/NMSQT can qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program and other scholarships. To prepare, get practice tests with official SAT practice on Khan Academy online.