Freshman Placement Testing Program

 

All incoming freshmen are required to take placement tests in English and math.  Optional foreign language placement tests are also available.  The test results will be used to determine proper placement into Notre Dame’s entry-level curriculum.

 

The English Placement Tests include the standardized IOWA Test of Basic Skills-Language Test and the IOWA Writing Assessment. These tests measure a student’s competence in vocabulary, sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation, spelling and capitalization, subject-verb agreement, and writing skills.  Completion time for both tests is approximately 2½ hours.

 

The Math Placement Tests include the following two assessments:

·          IOWA Algebra Aptitude TestTM - administered to students who have completed an integrated math, Pre-Algebra, or 8th grade math course and the

·          End-of-Year Algebra 1 Assessment Test - administered to students who have completed a full-year Algebra 1 course.

 

The IOWA Algebra Aptitude TestTM is a nationally recognized standardized test that measures a student’s readiness for algebra.  It tests the student’s knowledge of basic computational skills, interpreting graphs, identifying relationships between sets of numbers, and using variables to model real-world situations.  The 60-question test is subdivided into four sections each containing 15 problems.  The completion time is approximately 50 minutes.  Calculators are not permitted.  Samples are not available due to copyright laws.

 

The End-of-Year Algebra 1 Assessment Test is a standardized test that assesses the student’s mastery of core first-year algebra topics.  Sample problems and a sample test are available on the Notre Dame High School webpage at www.notredamehseastonpa.org.  Click on Placement Testing on the left side of the Main Menu, and then click on Sample Problems or Sample Test.  Answers for the sample problems and test are provided.  Calculators are recommended but not required.  The completion time is 1½ - 2 hours.

 

The freshman science courses will be determined by the student’s math placement.  Algebra 1, Part 1 students will be placed into Basic Physical Science, Algebra 1 and Geometry into Physical Science, and Honors Algebra 1 and Honors Geometry into Honors Physical Science.

 

Notre Dame also offers incoming students who are proficient in Spanish, French, or German the opportunity to take a Foreign Language Placement Test.  Acceptable scores will earn placement into the second-year language courses.  Arrangements for this test must be made with the department chairman.

 

Questions about the placement testing program should be directed to the appropriate department chairmen.

English

Mrs. Dolan

ext. 156

Foreign Language

Mrs. Medina

ext. 173

Math

Mrs. Kincaid

ext. 139

Science

Mrs. Fenton

ext. 123

Curriculum Coordinator

Mr. Steiner

ext. 114

 

Please call the school at (610) 868-1431 during regular school hours to leave a message in the chairman's voice mailbox.  Your call will be returned in a timely manner.