Student Exams at Wahlert Catholic High School
Exam Preparation Resources
Contact Wahlert's Counseling Office for additional assistance with study resources, or with any questions regarding the exam information listed below.
- Test Prep & Study Resources | ACT
- Khan Academy Test Prep
- Practice Exam Resources | PSAT/NMSQT
- Exam Preparation | Advanced Placement
- Exam Day Preparation | ICAN Succeed
- Standardized Exam Tips | ICAN Succeed
- What Study Habits Can You Improve?
- Stress Management | VeryWellMind
- ZAPS ACT Seminars | Doorway to College
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Information
AP exams are designed to measure how well a student understands the content of a specific AP course. Students have the option to take an AP exam for a particular AP course at the end of the school year. An AP exam score of "3" or higher has the potential to transfer as college credit, depending on a university or college transfer policy. It is the student's responsibility to contact universities/colleges they are interested in to see what AP scores transfer as college credit.
Wahlert currently offers the following AP courses:
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Chemistry
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP English Language & Composition
- AP English Literature & Composition
- AP Macroeconomics
- AP Music Theory
- AP Psychology
- AP Spanish Language & Culture
- AP Spanish Literature & Culture
- AP United States Government & Politics
- AP United States History
- AP World History: Modern
AP exams are optional. Students interested in having their AP course transfer to their college/university as college credit should take an AP exam.
AP exam week is typically the first two weeks of May. Exams happen at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and are administered by Wahlert staff. AP students can see the time and date of their AP exam by logging in to their online AP Classroom account.
Communication regarding how students can register for an AP exam is typically sent out via email to parents and students in the fall semester. Parents pay for their student's AP exam(s) via their family's online Holy Family eFunds account.
AP exams take place on Wahlert Catholic High School's campus - typically in various classrooms throughout the school. Students are communicated via email where their exam will be taking place prior to AP exam week.
Click here to visit AP's website for more information on how to transfer your AP credit to a college or university.
ACT National & District Exam Information
The ACT is a standardized exam used for college admissions within the United States. The ACT covers four subject areas, including: English, math, reading, and science. It also offers an optional writing/essay exam.
Wahlert Catholic High School offers both district and national testing options for students.
- District ACT exams happen on Wahlert's campus during the school day, specifically for our Wahlert students. Registration for a district exam is communicated to Wahlert students and parents. Registration and payment are handled within Wahlert's Counseling Office.
- National ACT exams happen throughout the country, including testing centers around the Eastern Iowa and Tri-State area. National ACT exams occur on Saturday mornings and draw students from across the area - not just Wahlert - to a specific test center. Wahlert typically hosts a fall and spring national ACT exam. Registration and payment for a national exam is done completely online through www.act.org.
ACT superscoring is the process of averaging your student's four best subject scores from all of their ACT exam attempts. Superscores are generated by ACT, and not Wahlert Catholic High School.
Click here for more information on how superscoring works.
Students interested in attending college after high school are encouraged to register for either a district or national ACT exam.
Registration and payment for a District ACT Exam is done through Wahlert's Counseling Office. Communication on how to register and pay for a District ACT Exam is emailed directly to parents and students during the fall and spring semesters.
Registration and payment for a National ACT Exam is done completely online through act.org.
District ACT Exams take place on Wahlert's campus during the school day. Wahlert hosts one exam in the fall semester, and a second exam opportunity in the spring semester.
National ACT Exams take place throughout the state of Iowa on a Saturday morning. Wahlert offers a spring and fall national ACT exam day for our students. Other local test centers include Loras College. A complete list of local test centers can be found here.
SAT Exam Information
The SAT is a college entrance exam commonly used by colleges and universities to make student admission decisions. The SAT is an analytical exam that focuses on three main sections: math, evidence-based reading, and writing.
Juniors and sophomores interested in attending college after high school are encouraged to register for the SAT exam.
Registration and payment for the SAT is managed completely online by College Board. Payment and registration can be completed on College Board's website.
Wahlert Catholic High School is not a testing center for the SAT exam. Students can do a search of Eastern Iowa test centers on by visiting College Board's website.
PSAT/NMSQT Exam Information
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a College Board exam designed for sophomores and juniors. Qualifying scores on the PSAT/NMSQT exam allows juniors an opportunity to be awarded the National Merit Scholarship.
Juniors and sophomores are encouraged to take the PSAT/NMSQT exam.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a great practice exam for taking the SAT. As juniors, students can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. While sophomores are ineligible to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, taking the exam allows for worthwhile practice before taking it as a junior.
The test also gives students insight into which AP courses they may be ready to take.
Registration and payment for the PSAT/NMSQT is handled by Wahlert's Counseling Office. Payments are submitted by families using their online Holy Family eFunds account. After completing payment for the exam, students are encouraged to stop by the Counseling Office to pick up a PSAT/NMSQT student guide, which includes a practice exam and helpful study tips in preparation for exam day. Information about the PSAT/NMSQT exam and registration information is emailed out to parents and students in the fall semester.
The PSAT/NMSQT exam takes place on Wahlert's campus in various classrooms throughout the school.
Other State & National Exams
The ACT Aspire exam is an assessment that helps our students, grades 9th-10th, prepare for the ACT exam. After taking the ACT Aspire exam, a score is generated that gives the student an idea of where they would score for the actual ACT exam. Students do not individually register or pay for this exam, as Wahlert Catholic High School organizes this exam during the school year for our 9th-10th grade students. For more information about this exam, please contact Wahlert's Main Office at (563) 583-9771.
The Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress, also known as the ISASP exam, typically takes place between March-May. This particular assessment requires 3rd - 11th grade students to complete assessments in reading, language, writing, and math. Our sophomore students also complete a science assessment. Results from the ISASP exams provide us with a clear assessment of student learning outcomes, growth, proficiency, and readiness indicators. Students do not individually register or pay for this exam, as Wahlert Catholic High School organizes this exam during the school year for our 9th-11th grade students. For more information about this exam, please contact Wahlert's Main Office at (563) 583-9771.
The Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) exam is an assessment that provides Wahlert Catholic High School with exam results that help us provide the best possible education for our students. MAP exams are completed three times a year by our 9th-12th personalized learning students. Students are tested on their English and math skills (science in 10th grade only). Students do not individually register or pay for this exam, as Wahlert Catholic High School organizes this exam during the school year for our 9th-12th grade students. For more information about this exam, please contact Wahlert's Main Office at (563) 583-9771.
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