PreACT: North Carolina
Important Dates
The Schedule of Events contains all dates and deadlines for North Carolina's test event. Check it frequently to stay on track for testing.
- Testing Window: October 11, 2021 - May 13, 2022
- Answer Document Return Date (ADRD): (coming soon)
Documents will be replaced as they become available for 2021-2022 testing.
Learn about Test Formats and Policies
Resources:
- NCDPI PreACT Frequently Asked Questions 2021-2022 (document)
- Testing Policies and Information (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
Select Test Dates and Provide Shipping Information
Dates:
August 2 – September 10, 2021
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Test Date and Materials Receipt Selection section)
- Address Change Request Form (webform)
Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts
Website:
Resources:
- Staff Requirements, Roles, and Responsibilities (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Managing Contact and User Account Information section)
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
Order Test Materials
Dates:
September 20, 2021 - May 6, 2022
Website:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Managing Test Materials section)
Tip: You can track test materials shipments using Orders & Shipment Tracking. See the View Status and Shipment Information section in the PearsonAccessnext User Guide.
Tip: The PreACT Test Materials Package includes the test booklets, answer documents, Administration Manuals, and other materials you will need to administer PreACT. Order one PreACT Test Material Package for every student who will be testing, including students who will test with accommodations or English learner supports. ACT will include an overage in each order.
Verify Enrollment Counts
Dates:
August 2 - September 10, 2021
Website:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (document – select the Managing Test Materials, Accessing Reports, and Submit a Request to Enroll or Unenroll an Examinee sections)
Training:
- Enroll/Verify/Update Students in PearsonAccessnext (training tutorial)
Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccessnext.
Learn about Accessibility Supports
Resources:
- PreACT Accessilitiy Supports Guide (document)
Arrange for Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
Resources:
- Testing with Accessibility Supports (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
Tip: Administering PreACT with accommodations or English learner supports does not require prior approval from ACT. You will order alternate format test materials or materials for English learners at the same time you order your PreACT Test Material Packages in PearsonAccessnext.
Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials
Resources :
- Test Facilities (manual section – select the first listed after applying search filters)
- Test Staff (manual section – select the first listed after applying search filters)
- Test Materials (manual section – select the first listed after applying search filters)
- Test Administration (manual section – select the first listed after applying search filters)
Training:
- PreACT Test Administration Training (webinar) (coming soon)
- PreACT Test Administration Training slide deck (webinar slides) (coming soon)
Complete Non-Test Activities
Resources:
Tip: When entering name and address on the answer document (blocks B and P-S), be sure examinees:
- Start with the first box and first column in block
- Fill in the appropriate oval for each letter in addition to printing them in the boxes.
- Fill in only one oval per column
Tip: Make sure examinees properly enter the form code into the Test Form block on their answer documents. This is essential to the answer documents being scored properly.
Administer the Test
Dates:
Standard Time Administration Window: October 11, 2021 - May 13, 2022
Accommodations Administration Window: October 11, 2021- May 13, 2022
Resources:
Administration Manuals
- NC PreACT Administration Manual (document)
Supplements
- ACT-Authorized Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list (document)
- Calculator Policy (document)
Return Test Materials
Dates:
Standard Time Testing Materials Receipt Deadline: May 27, 2022
Resources:
- Preparing, Packing, and Returning Test Materials (manual section – select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Secure Storage and Transport Test Materials Form (document)
- Returning Braille Materials (document)
Training:
- Returning PreACT Materials to ACT (training tutorial)
Tip: Test coordinators should verify completeness and accuracy of materials received from room supervisors before returning answer documents to ACT. Check that the test form code is properly gridded on each answer document.
Tip: Do not return unused answer documents or any unused PreACT test materials.
Tip: Return the answer documents for all testing (standard, accommodations, or make-up) in the same shipment.
Tip: The polymailer envelopes include prepaid FedEx return shipping labels already affixed. You may leave the packed polymailer envelopes in a secure FedEx pick-up area at your site or FedEx drop-off site. Do not leave your packed polymailer envelopes in an unsupervised pick or drop-off site. Two options are available for materials return:
1) Schedule a FedEx pickup for materials return.
2) You may also drop off materials at a staffed FedEx location. Please obtain a receipt for tracking purposes. Do not leave polymailers at an unsupervised drop-off location.
Access and Understand Score Reports
Dates:
See your Score Report Schedule for release dates
Webistes:
Resources:
- 10 Ways to Use PreACT Data (document)
- Interpretive Guide for Student and Aggregate Reports - NC (document)
- Using Your PreACT Results - NC (document)
- Using Your PreACT Results - Spanish - NC (document)
- PreACT Student Report - Sample (document)
- PreACT Technical Manual (document)
- PreACT Student Record Layout (document)
- PreACT Guide for Online Reporting (document)
Training:
- PreACT Online Reporting - NC (webinar)
- PreACT Online Reporting Slides - NC (webinar slides)