There’s only one reason you’d find ancient exam prep books and emptied shelves at the “College & Career” section at the Heritage Park Library: Test season has begun.
IUSD administers three standardized preparation tests for students: the PSAT 8/9, the PreACT and the PSAT, for 9th, 10th and 11th graders, respectively. The tests, which vary in difficulty by grade level, introduce students to the structure of the ACT and SAT.
While both the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT mirror the actual SAT, the PreACT is shorter than the actual ACT, and omits the optional science and essay portions. Regardless, the PreACT is still an accurate projection of future ACT scores.
Northwood administered the PSAT on Oct. 6 on campus. Unlike previous years, the PSAT was taken on a Super Late Start day. Students will take the PreACT and PSAT 8/9 in the spring semester on another Super Late Start day. These tests are held on school days rather than during the weekend to ensure that no extracurriculars or sports diminish a student’s ability to take them.
“The district offers these tests free for IUSD students so that all students have the equal opportunity to participate,” assistant principal Kortney Tambara said.
The test results are not shared with colleges, nor do they impact a student’s ability to choose classes at Northwood. Instead, they are meant to help students determine whether the SAT or the ACT will allow them to better demonstrate their knowledge if they choose to take them.
Students are not expected to study for these tests, although juniors are encouraged to prepare independently by taking practice tests. While the PSAT 8/9 and PreACT offer no advantage for college, those who score within the top 1% of California test takers for the PSAT will be recognized as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists in September 2026 and can apply to earn scholarships of $2,500 to $10,000 as Finalists.
This year, 14 Northwood students, out of a total of 62 from IUSD, were recognized as semifinalists.
“For all of these tests, getting a high score is not about luck or intelligence,” PSAT coordinator and counselor Allison Singer said. “It’s about practicing and learning how to take the test.”
For more information about these standardized preparation tests, contact Kate West ([email protected], PSAT 8/9), Mi Jin Kim ([email protected], PreACT) or Singer ([email protected], PSAT).
