Assessments

The following is an overview of the different tests related specifically to courses taken at North Creek. Some of these tests must be passed in order to graduate, and others provide the school with information about how students are doing. Others, like the optional AP tests, are conducted offsite by outside organizations and may provide college credits based on the students' scores.

For college applications, the SAT or ACT tests will be required. For more information on these exams please visit our College Readiness / What Tests to Take webpage.

AP Testing

AP classes are rigorous academic courses designed for students who are college bound. There is no placement test for AP. Students self-select these courses and should be prepared to work at a college-level pace. At the end of the course, the student is expected to take the AP exam which is managed by College Board.

AP exams are highly recognized by colleges and universities with regard to a student's preparation for the demands of college courses. AP exams present an opportunity for college credit and/or higher placement in college courses. Each college decides which AP exam grades it will accept for credit or placement.

Information about exam dates and fees can be found on the College Board website.

For more information about North Creek High School's AP Programs please visit our Advanced Placement Programs website.

Smarter Balanced Testing

The Smarter Balanced assessment system provides educators, students and parents meaningful results with actionable data to help students succeed. The assessment is aligned to Common Core State Standards and consists of three major components, all designed to improve teaching and learning.

The Smarter Balanced Summative assessments are required. They will take place during the last 12 weeks of the school year. These computer-based tests will help schools evaluate how well their students performed by comparing them with students from other schools across the nation. The end-of-year assessments also will empower families by providing them with a clear indication of how well their children are progressing toward mastering the academic knowledge and skills necessary for college and career readiness.

Smarter Balanced assessments replaced the math, reading and writing portions of the MSP students in grades 3-8. The science portion of the MSP (tested in grades 5 and 8) remained the same. 11th graders will take the high school level of the new Smarter Balanced tests, but meeting standard on the tests is not a graduation requirement until the Class of 2019. Students will not take the new Smarter Balanced tests in grades K-2, 9, or 12. 10th graders will only take the English Language Arts Smarter Balanced test.

Learn more by visiting the Smarter Balanced website.

Smarter Balanced testing is administered in the the spring and is a state-mandated set of online tests for ELA and Math (10th graders) and Science (11th graders). Parents and students should make it a priority not to take time off of school during testing times as it is difficult to schedule makeup exams and will cause students to miss class time.

Spring Testing

English

English Language Arts (ELA)

Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT):

These are administered in May during 10th grade English classes.

Any 11th graders that have not passed this test will take it along with the 10th graders in one of the testing classrooms.

Performance Tasks (PT):

These are administered the also in May during 10th grade English classes.

Any 11th graders that have not passed this test will take it along with the 10th graders in one of the testing classrooms.

Math

Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT):

These are administered the first part of the in May during 10th grade math classes.

Any 11th graders that have not passed this test will take it along with the 10th graders in one of the testing classrooms.

Performance Tasks (PT):

These are administered the second part of the in May during 10th grade math classes.

Any 11th graders that have not passed this test will take it along with the 10th graders in one of the testing classrooms.

Science

PSAT

The Northshore School District is offering the PSAT/NMSQT exam on Thursday, October 10th, 2024 and Thursday, October 24th, 2024 during the school day. This will be an on-campus, in person, live test. Current Juniors will automatically be registered to take this test. The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. All 11th grade students who take the PSAT/NMSQT are also automatically screened for the National Merit Scholarship program. Our plan includes to offer the exam at Bothell, Inglemoor, North Creek, and Woodinville High School. Details are listed below:

PSAT School Day Exam Registration Information

Registration for PSAT (10^th graders only)-click on the link here https://regismart.net/#/login to create an account and scroll to your students home school to register for the PSAT (if they are a 10th grader). The registration deadline for School Day PSAT Exam is Friday, September 20th, 2024. Cost of PSAT is $20.00. Students are to register for their home school exam dates only (do not register to attend another schools exam date).

NOTE: all Juniors take the PSAT so they do not need to register as we do a bulk registration upload for all juniors. Juniors will automatically be charged the $20 registration fee.