DAHS Testing Info

February 7, 2022 Dear Parents/guardians and advanced 8th grade learners, Thank you for applying to Dimensions Academy High School! On Monday, February 21st the Gifted and Talented Department will conduct PreACT testing for Dimensions Academy High School applicants at Kennedy High School. We will use your student’s PreACT score as one of our data points in our selection process for DAHS. Additionally, the test results will be helpful to your family in selecting courses for your student as they go to KHS and JHS. Lastly, research shows that practice taking high-stakes tests helps students go into their junior year more prepared for tests like the ACT and the SAT, which results in higher scores. The PreACT will be given on paper and include multiple choice tests in English, math, reading, and science. Please drop off your student at Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave in Bloomington, by 8am and pick them up around noon. We will be in the cafeteria starting at 7:30 am. Students can be dropped off at the front door at Kennedy. Students are not expected to study or practice to prepare for the exam. However, if students are interested in seeing a practice exam or other materials to make the experience more familiar they can go to act.org/preact for more information. Please contact Meredith Aby-Keirstead, our high school gifted coordinator, if we should NOT expect your student to take the PreACT exam with us on February 21. If you would like your student to be considered for DAHS and cannot do testing with us please schedule the regular ACT through ACT.org. The G.T. Department will reimburse families for outside testing, so please submit a receipt. If there are other barriers for completing this exam, please contact Meredith or Erin so we can assist you! Sincerely, Meredith Aby-Keirstead Erin Boltik High School Gifted and Talented Coordinator Director of Gifted and Talented Services maby@isd271.org * 952-806-7811 eboltik@isd271.org ACT Testing Information Get a good night’s sleep. Wear comfortable clothes and eat a good breakfast that morning. Students should bring sharpened, soft lead No. 2 pencils with good erasers (no mechanical pencils or ink pens). Bring a permitted calculator to be used on the mathematics test only. It is your responsibility to know whether your calculator is permitted. Please refer to the ACT Calculator Policy sheet (see screenshot below). However, you are not required to use a calculator at all. We will have you put your backpacks in a different part of the room and you will not have access to them. You will not be allowed access to: Textbooks, foreign language or other dictionaries, scratch paper, notes, or other aids Highlight pens, colored pens or pencils, or correction fluid/tape Any electronic device, other than a permitted calculator (this includes your mobile phone, smart watch, fitness band, media player, iPad, headphones, and camera) Reading material Tobacco in any form Food or beverages, including water (you will be offered a break outside of the test room) Please note: You may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities. All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight. If you access your device or if your device activates while in the testing room or during break times, you will be dismissed, your test will not be scored, and your phone or device may be taken away. Info taken from: https://www.act.org