Testing
In October, all 10th and 11th grade students participate in the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
Also in the Fall, 11th and 12th grade students who need to complete state graduation testing requirements have an opportunity to retake Smarter Balanced Assessments.
In the Winter, students in all grades who are proficient in languages other than English can choose to participate in World Language Competency testing to receive high school credit for their knowledge (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
In the Spring, all 10th grade students will have their first opportunity to take the state tests required for graduation: Smarter Balanced Assessments in English-Language Arts (ELA) and Math. 11th and 12th grade students can also retake assessments if needed. Also, all 11th grade students will take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS). Currently this assessment will be a graduation requirement for students in the class of 2021 and beyond.
In May, students in all grades who are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes take part in AP testing.
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- PSAT/NMSQT
- State Testing: ELA, Math, and Science
- World Language Competency
- SAT Testing
Advanced Placement (AP)
What is Advanced Placement (AP)?
Advanced Placement (AP) is a College Board program (like the PSAT and SAT). The AP exam is a culmination of content learned in a year-long course. These courses are college-level and accelerated. Liberty HS offers 20 AP courses that span all subject areas.
Before considering taking an AP course, it is important to familiarize yourself with what an AP course actually entails. This is time-consuming, challenging coursework, so make sure you actually like the subject, want the challenge, feel confident with the material, and have time to devote. The AP course descriptions in the Course Guide will give you an idea of what is expected in each course, what prior knowledge and experience may be helpful, etc. For more information about our AP course offerings, please refer to our Course Guide.
The AP exams occur in the first two full weeks of May of each year and are 2-3.25 hours long (length varies by subject area). AP exam scores are available in July and students can send scores to colleges to receive college credit. Each college will have their respective AP exam score policy. AP exam scores are not required for college admission.
General AP information via College Board.
AP Exam Registration – Deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022
I want to take an AP exam. What is the process?
- Log in to your College Board account at https://myap.collegeboard.org/login .
- Enter your course join code (provided by your teacher) so that you are registered for the exam. Here is a link to information about How to Join Your AP Class Section Online.
- Once you register, the exam fee will be added to your school account (a day or two later). Complete payment (online or in-person with ASB Bookkeeper) so that your exam will be ordered.
What is the cost of an AP exam?
- Each exam is $97 if payment is completed by Nov. 15, 2023.
- Each exam is $137 if payment is completed between Nov. 16, 2023 and Mar. 15, 2024 ($40 late fee).
- If you have questions about payment, contact our ASB Bookkeeper, Ms. Belshaw (belshawd@issaquah.wednet.edu).
What financial assistance is available?
- If your family qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program, your AP exam fees are fully covered. Make sure that your family has completed the application this year (access the application at Free and Reduced Lunch Program). Reach out to your counselor or administrator if you have any questions about that process.
- If your family does not qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, please contact your counselor or administrator about the process for receiving financial assistance.
What is the refund policy?
- If you cancel before Nov. 15, you can receive a full refund.
- If you cancel after Nov. 15, you can receive a partial refund ($57 per exam).
I joined the course, but I do not want to take the exam. What should I do?
- Contact Assistant Principal Zelinski (zelinskid@issaquah.wednet.edu) in order to adjust your registration and have the fee removed from your account.
AP Courses
AP Courses
| Subject Area | Course (Teacher) |
|---|---|
| Arts |
2-D Art (Cooper) |
| English |
English Language and Composition (Daughters) |
| Social Studies |
US Government and Politics (Cooke) |
| Math |
Calculus AB (Kennedy) |
| Science |
Biology (Stephens) |
| Social Sciences | |
| Technology |
Computer Science A (Woffinden) |
| World Languages |
PSAT/NMSQT
PSAT: Wednesday, October 9th at Liberty HS
Liberty High is offering the PSAT/NMSQT to all 10th and 11th graders during the school day on October 9, 2024. This is a practice exam for the SAT. For 11th graders, it is also a qualifying test for National Merit Scholarships.
Altered Schedule for PSAT/NMSQT Test – October 9, 2024
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, students will participate in grade level activities in the morning and FLEX time in the afternoon:
- 10th and 11th grade students will take the PSAT/NMSQT.
- The cost of the PSAT is $18 and the fee has already been assessed to student accounts. Payment can be completed through Pay Online and financial assistance is available. You can choose to opt out of the PSAT/NMSQT and avoid the charge by completing and submitting the opt-out form.
- An electronic copy of the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide is available.
- The PSAT is digital, and will be administered via an app on their assigned student laptops
- The PSAT starts at 10:10 a.m. and takes approximately 3 hours. Students will have lunch at 2:20 p.m., so they are encouraged to eat a good breakfast and bring snacks for the breaks. Students should also remember to bring pencils and an approved calculator.
- 10th and 11th grade students should look for BLUE POSTERS around the school with details about testing room locations. If you have questions about testing, please contact Assistant Principal Loren Krogstad (krogstadl@issaquah.wednet.edu).
- 9th grade students will be on a rotating activity schedule which will include High School and Beyond Plan, Guided Studies, and a fentanyl awareness video. 9th grade students should look for YELLOW POSTERS around the school with details about group locations
- 12th grade students will have supported work time in the Library that morning.
- ALL STUDENTS need to bring their laptop and charger just like any other school day.
Please note that attendance will be taken like any other school day. If your student has an excused absence, be sure to contact the Attendance Office.
State Testing: ELA, Math, and Science
State Testing Overview
In high school, students take tests in ELA, math, and science for federal accountability. Students take the WA-AIM only if it's documented in their IEP.
| Grades | Subject | Test |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | ELA and Math | Smarter Balanced or WA-AIM |
| 11 | Science | WCAS or WA-AIM |
The state legislature passes laws that determine graduation requirements. One of the pathways students can use to demonstrate post-secondary career or college readiness is passing the state assessments, or state-approved alternatives. A student's expected year of graduation is four years after the student enters the 9th grade. (For example, if entering 9th grade in the 2018-19 school year, the student is in the Class of 2022.)
Assessment Pathway for the Class of 2020 or Later
| Subject | Test |
|---|---|
| ELA | Choose 1:
|
| Math | Choose 1:
|
** "Exit exam" scores (for graduation pathways) are separate from what are known as the "college- and career-ready" scores.
Support for English Language Learners and Their Families
View Smarter Balanced information in English, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukranian, and Vietnamese on the OSPI website.
Liberty High School SBA Testing Schedule
May 21– 22, 2024
Special Bell Schedule for Tuesday 5/21/24 (Lunches based on 5th period teacher)
|
Advisory/Testing 9th Grade – Advisory 10th Grade – SBA Testing (Math) 11th Grade –WCAS 12th Grade - FLASH |
8:00-10:00
Tues 5/21 Guided Studies/Field activity (9th) Wed 5/22 Guided Studies/Field (9th & 11th)
|
|
Period 1 |
10:00 – 11:01 (61 min) |
|
Period 3 |
11:06 – 12:07 (61 min) |
|
1st Lunch 12:07 – 12:42 (35 min)/ Period 5 12:47 – 1:48 (61 min) |
|
|
Period 5 12:12 – 1:13 (61 min)/ 2nd Lunch 1:13 1:48 (35 min) |
|
|
Period 7 |
1:53 – 2:55 (62 min) |
Special Bell Schedule for Wednesday 5/22/24 *ONE LUNCH*
|
Advisory/Testing 9th Grade – Advisory 10th Grade – SBA Testing (ELA) 11th Grade –Advisory 12th Grade - FLASH |
10:10-1:00
Tues 5/21 Guided Studies/Field activity (9th) Wed 5/22 Guided Studies/Field (9th & 11th)
|
|
Lunch 1:00 – 1:35 (35 min) |
|
|
Period 2 |
1:35 – 2:15 (40 min) |
|
Period 4 |
2:20 – 3:00 (40 min) |
|
Period 6 |
3:05 – 3:45 (40 min) |
Makeups: May 28, May 29
- What is a Passing Score?
- Sample Smarter Balanced Score Report
- How to Find Test Scores on Family Access
What is a Passing Score?
Learn more about how the State Board of Education established graduation scores.
Currently students pass Smarter Balanced English Language Arts with a score of 2548 or higher.
Currently students pass Smarter Balanced Math with a score of 2595 or higher.
The passing score for the Washington Comprehensive Assessment for Science (WCAS) has not been released yet.
Sample Smarter Balanced Score Report
If you need a copy of your student's score report, please contact Assistant Principal Loren Krogstad or Danielle Zelinski.
How to Find Test Scores on Family Access
- Log in to Student or Family Access.
- On the left menu, select "Test Scores".
- A list of all standardized test scores will be listed. A summary of the state testing scores for Washington State graduation purposes will be under the selection "GDWa-GraduateofWA". Click on "Show Scores."
- If a student has met the requirement, it will say "Yes" under the subject column. Under "Section: Tests", there is a summary of the number of attempts for each type of test and the highest score met so far.
The various score levels can be found at the OSPI Scale Scores: State Assessments page.
World Language Competency
- Can you read, write, speak and listen fluently in a world language in addition to English?
- When will the test be offered in the 2024-25 school year?
- What are the potential benefits of taking this test?
- How many credits can you earn by demonstrating proficiency?
- How are credits awarded?
- What should I do if I am interested in taking the test?
- What does the test look like?
- What is the cost of the test?
- Can I re-take the test if I don’t do well enough the first time?
- What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
Can you read, write, speak and listen fluently in a world language in addition to English?
When will the test be offered in the 2024-25 school year?
What are the potential benefits of taking this test?
- You can earn up to 4 high school credits
- You can fulfill your high school world language requirement
- You may qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy on your high school diploma and transcripts
- You may meet the world language requirements for college admission
- Check with colleges you are looking at to make sure you are meeting all admissions requirements
- Some colleges may still want to see that you have taken actual world language classes at school
How many credits can you earn by demonstrating proficiency?
How are credits awarded?
What should I do if I am interested in taking the test?
- Talk with your counselor and let them know your are interested. Discuss if it would make sense for you to take the test. If you decide to particiapate, ask your counselor to direct you on how you can sign up. They will guide you on where you can find the sign up link. Once the sign up date has passed you will receive information about the date, time and location of the test.
What does the test look like?
- There are two testing options depending on the language:
- Avant Stamp 4S - This test is online and a headset (with a microphone) is provided for listening to prompts and recording responses. Students complete the reading before the writing section, and the listening before the speaking section. You can see practice tests online here.
- Languages offered: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic (Standard), Armenian, Cape Verdean (Sotavento), Chinese (Mandarin - Simplified), Chinese (Mandarin - Traditional), Chuukese, Czech, English, Filipino (Tagalog), French, Haitian Creole, Hawaiian ('Ōlelo Hawai'i), Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Ilocano, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Latin, Marathi, Marshallese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Samoan, Somali (Maay Maay), Somali (Maxaa), Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba, Yup'ik, Zomi
- Languages offered: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic (Standard), Armenian, Cape Verdean (Sotavento), Chinese (Mandarin - Simplified), Chinese (Mandarin - Traditional), Chuukese, Czech, English, Filipino (Tagalog), French, Haitian Creole, Hawaiian ('Ōlelo Hawai'i), Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Ilocano, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Latin, Marathi, Marshallese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Samoan, Somali (Maay Maay), Somali (Maxaa), Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba, Yup'ik, Zomi
- ALTA - This test includes a phone call with a native speaker to assess speaking and listening, as well as printed prompts for reading and writing (which is handwritten).
- Languages offered: Afrikaans, Arabic (Jordanian), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Arabic (Syrian), Azerbaijani, Baluchi (Western), Bambara, Bulgarian, Burmese, Cape Verdean (Balavento), Croatian, Ewe, Fante (Akan), Farsi, Finnish, Ga, Hausa, Igbo, Karenni, Kazakh, Kinyarwanda, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Kurdish (Sorani), Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Oromo, Pashto (Pakistan), Punjabi (Western), Serbian, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovene/Slovenian, Taiwanese, Tajik, Turkmen, Twi (Akan), Uzbek
- Avant Stamp 4S - This test is online and a headset (with a microphone) is provided for listening to prompts and recording responses. Students complete the reading before the writing section, and the listening before the speaking section. You can see practice tests online here.
What is the cost of the test?
- The Avant Stamp 4S is $25 and the ALTA is $150. If a language is available through both tests, students will be asked which format they prefer. Students pay to participate, though financial assistance is available. See the Financial Assistance page for information.
Can I re-take the test if I don’t do well enough the first time?
What is the Seal of Biliteracy?
If you have additional questions, please contact your counselor.
SAT Testing
Liberty will be hosting a school-day SAT for our own juniors and seniors only on October 23rd. It is a DIGITAL test, so you will need to use your school-provided laptop (just like the PSAT).
You will need to register for the SAT by September 30th, 2024 . No late registrations will be accepted.
Registration: Please register via the link sent on Canvas on 9/5. Do not use your personal email when registering. Use your school email only.
Test fee: Cost of the SAT is $60 and will be assessed to your student account after the Sept 30th registration deadline. To pay, go to payonline or pay in person at LHS bookkeepers office.
Details about the SAT (locations, what to bring, etc will be emailed to you after registration so please check your school email) See or email Ms. Zelinski for questions and/or if you need financial assistance zelinskid@issaquah.wednet.edu