Standardized Testing
More information on required testing may be found by visiting the SC Department of Education’s page for Parents and Students.
Tips for a successful testing day:
Be well rested
Eat a healthy breakfast
Travel early to avoid traffic delays
Bring Picture ID
Smartphones and watches must be turned off and placed in the dedicated location at the testing site.
High School (Grades 9-12)
Test Name | Who and What? | When and Where? | Required and Optional? |
|---|---|---|---|
PSAT | The PSAT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It will be offered to 10th graders. | Testing will take place at various locations throughout the state. The PSAT will be given in October. | Optional |
ACCESS for ELLs | Given to any student who is identified as an English Language Learner to determine English proficiency. | Testing will take place at various locations throughout the state. Testing takes place in February. | Required |
College Entrance Assessments | Offered to students in their 3rd year of high school. Students may choose to take either the SAT or ACT at no cost. | Testing will take place at various locations throughout the state. Testing takes place in March. | Optional |
Career Readiness Assessment | Required for all students in their 3rd year of high school. The exam measures a student’s career readiness in four areas: Math, Reading, Location Information, and Soft Skills. | Testing will take place in March at various locations throughout the state. | Required |
End of Course Examination (EOC) | EOC exams are for any student taking certain high school courses (English II, Algebra I, Biology, US History). The exam counts as 20% of the student’s final grade in the course. | Testing will occur in December and May at various sites throughout the state. | Required |
Virtual SC and Dual Enrollment | These are classes taken by a third party. Exams are at the discretion of the school or institution. | Many of these classes require tests to be taken in person. Please reach out to your teacher or school counselor with questions. | Required |