The ACT assessment is given free of charge to all North Carolina 11th graders in March. This testing is required as a part of the NC High School accountability model. ACT test results are widely accepted by college admissions offices and considered an accurate gauge of classroom achievement. ACT results may be used at the high school level to identify students who need assistance with certain subject areas or academic skills, to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction, and to adjust curricula to improve instruction. Colleges use the ACT for admissions decisions, course placement, academic advising and loans and scholarships. Please check the colleges you are interested in to see what their average score for accepted students is.

The ACT is scored out of a scale of 36, with 36 being the highest. The student will receive a score on this scale for each section, as well as a composite score. Students may take the test additional times or in 12th grade, for a fee, to improve their score. Students taking additional administrations of the test must register six weeks in advance and such testing is not managed by the school (unlike the required administration of the ACT to 11th grade students each March). Registration dates can be found here. If you think you need a waiver, please contact your school counselor. Students may register on-line at www.actstudent.org.

Free test prep is available on the ACT website here.

The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. 

The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.

Overall, the higher you score on the SAT and/or ACT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you. The SAT measures your math and verbal knowledge out of a total of 800 points for a combined total of 1600. It is recommended you take this exam more than once. 

Upcoming test dates can be found here. If you think you need a waiver, please contact your school counselor.

Free test prep is available through Khan Academy.

Currituck County High School will administer this test to all 10th graders at no cost. This is a part of the new North Carolina accountability model for public schools and includes four tests of educational development: English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading, as well as an interest inventory that facilitates career and educational planning.

To prepare for the ACT, North Carolina 10th graders will be administered the Pre-ACT test each October. Pre-ACT is a diagnostic assessment that indicates strengths and areas of need to provide a roadmap to success for North Carolina high school students. Pre-ACT offers a mid-point assessment of academic progress toward college and career readiness and is the most powerful predictor of performance on the ACT. It can be used for course placement, including dual enrollment and more rigorous courses. Pre-ACT also includes a career interest inventory and an educational/career plan component.

Similar to the ACT, the Pre-ACT is scored out of a scale of 36, with 36 being the highest. The student will receive a score on this scale for each section, as well as a composite score.

Students who have reached the age of 16 can also take the ASVAB test during the year for possible military options. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. The ASVAB provides career information for various civilian and military occupations and is an indicator for success in future endeavors whether you choose to go to college, vocational school, or a military career. 

CCHS offers this test once a semester for free to all who qualify and is administered by our Career Development Coordinator in collaboration with our ROTC instructor(s).