PreACT Secure School and District Testing

PreACT Secure: Spring Administration

 

Next Steps | Welcome | Test Dates | Tips for Success | Help and Contact

Test Administration Process Next Steps

Select your current phase of the test administration process to see resources related to that phase.

 

Step 1: Orientation - Learn about test formats and policies; select test dates and provide shipping information; select test staff and set up accounts.

Step 2: Configuration - verify enrollment for test materials.

Step 3: Accommodation - Learn about accessibility supports; request accommodations and/or supports; request qualified exceptions to the deadline.

Step 4: Preparation -  Order test materials; complete non-test activities; provide examinees test prep information; prepare your facility, staff, and materials; update examinee information.

Step 5: Administration - Administer the test.

Step 6: Transportation: Return test materials..

Step 7: Interpretation - Access and understand score reports; share reporting information with examinees.

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Important Dates

Your Schedule of Events contains all dates and deadlines for your test event. Check it frequently to ensure you're on track for a successful administration.

Test Dates

Spring 2023 Administration
March 20 - April 28, 2023 (weekday testing only)

Spring 2024 Administration 
March 18 - April 26, 2024 (weekday testing only)

 

Spring 2024 schedules and updated documentation will be posted in January 2024 and as they become available.

Tips for Success

  1. Bookmark this web page and check back frequently for updated content. Content will be added as it's available.
  2. Mark important dates from your Schedule of Events on your calendar and set reminders for deadlines.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the seven stages of the testing cycle (Orientation, Configuration, Accommodation, Preparation, Administration, Transportation, and Interpretation) by browsing using the links provided. You can see a brief description, action items, and resources associated with each stage to help you get a feel for the testing timeline. Content will be linked as it becomes available.
  4. Watch for emails from ACT with important reminders. Add our email address to your contacts to prevent emails from going to spam/junk folders.

Helpful Links

Expand each tray to reveal the information you're looking for.

PearsonAccessnext
Spring District Testing FAQ (coming soon)

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District Testing Office Hours (coming soon)

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PreACT Secure Questions:
Phone: 877.789.2925
Email: preact@act.org

 

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Learn about Test Formats and Policies

Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts

Websites:

Resources:

Tip: When the district test coordinator changes the school test coordinator in PearsonAccessnext, remember to deactivate the existing test coordinator's user account. Updates need to be completed in two places: the manage contacts screen and creating a new user account.

Upload Student Data Records (SDU File)

Dates:

calendarStandard Testing - January 9 - April 27, 2023

Website:

Resources:

Training:

Tip: The formatting in the SDU template includes instructions for how to create a successful file. Be sure to delete the sample row and all blank rows prior to uploading to PearsonAccessnext.

Verify Enrollment Counts

Dates:

calendarJanuary 9 - April 28, 2023

Websites:

Resources:

PreACT Secure Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials

Learn about Accessibility Supports

Resources:

Set Up Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports in PearsonAccessnext

Tip: Administering PreACT Secure with accommodations or English learner supports does not require prior approval from ACT. You will order alternate format test materials for English learners through PearsonAccessnext

Order Test Materials

Dates:

calendarAccomodations - February 13 - April 7, 2023

Resources:

Tip: You can track test materials shipments using Orders & Shipment Tracking. See the View Status and Shipment Information section in the PearsonAccessnext User Guide.

Provide Examinees Test Prep Information

Resources:

Tip: TestNav Practice Tests can be found on the TestNav Site without logging in by clicking on the "practice Tests" link at the bottom of the sign in window.

Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials

Create Online Test Sessions

Administer the Test

Testing Dates:

calendarMarch 20 - April 28 , 2023 (weekday testing only)

Resources:

Forms

Administration Manuals

Supplements

 

Tip: If you are testing an examinee authorized for English learner supports, have the ACT-Authorized Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list handy to verify at check in that the examinee’s dictionary can be used for testing.

Return Test Materials

Dates:

calendarMay 12, 2023

Resources:

 

Tip: Do not return unused paper accommodations answer documents from initial testing. Use those for makeup testing and refer to the Test Coordinator Information Manual to properly manage unused materials at the end of the testing window.

Tip: Return answer documents following testing so they arrive at ACT by the receipt deadline listed on the Schedule of Events and can be scored.

Tip: Return all accommodations materials after all testing (accommodated and non-accommodated) has been completed.

Purge Online Testing Content