State Testing

Alabama's state testing uses the Pre-ACT for 10th graders (baseline), the ACT with Writing for 11th graders (college entrance & accountability), and the ACT WorkKeys for 12th graders to assess workforce skills for "career readiness." The Pre-ACT predicts 11th-grade ACT scores, and both tests contribute to state accountability and help students prepare for college and careers, with the state covering the cost for the required 11th-grade ACT.

  • Pre-ACT (10th Grade): A diagnostic test predicting 11th-grade ACT performance, used to measure academic growth in ELA and Math, but not for individual school accountability.
  • ACT with Writing (11th Grade): The official state assessment, a college entrance exam accepted nationwide, used for accountability and to determine college readiness benchmarks, with the state paying for one administration.
  • ACT WorkKeys (12th Grade): Measures foundational work skills (Applied Math, Reading, Locating Info) to earn career-readiness certificates (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
ACT Plus Club

The ACT Plus Club recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement by earning a composite ACT score of 25 or higher. Students who score 30 or above receive additional special recognition for their outstanding performance.

Members of the ACT Plus Club are honored with a graduation cord and are featured on the school’s ACT Plus Club picture wall as a celebration of their hard work, dedication, and academic excellence.

To put this accomplishment into perspective, the national average ACT composite score as of April 2026 is 19.4 out of a possible 36, while the Alabama state average is 18. Students recognized through the ACT Plus Club have performed well above both state and national averages, representing a commitment to excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

ACT Fee Waiver

Any eligible student can get a maximum of two ACT Fee Waivers for taking the test, covering the basic registration fee for up to two separate test dates, plus scores to their high school and up to six colleges, with access to free prep; these are obtained through a high school counselor, not directly from ACT. A fee waiver is used once a student registers, even if they miss the test, but they can pay a change fee to reschedule. See Coach Rieger for details.