Career Inventory

Is administered to provide students with a selection of career choices in terms of their personal interests, abilities, and values. The Career Interest Profiler is part of the student's Naviance account. Students can explore careers, formulate a resume, see videos of professionals in the field. Students in grade 10 will take a Strength's Explorer assessment and receive feedback on their strengths and weaknesses.

For those students planning to continue their education beyond high school, the following tests may be taken. Students should see their school counselor if they have any questions.

The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)

Is a two-hour test of verbal and mathematics ability given only once a year in October to students in grades 9, 10 and 11; the cost is covered by the Stratford district. From the PSAT the student gains significant information from the scores, which can be utilized in developing post high school plans. Moreover, scholarship awards by foundations and other groups are made on the basis of the scores achieved on this test.

The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the American College Tests (ACT) and the College Board Achievement Tests

Are different tests designed for college admission. The test(s) the students take will be determined by the requirements for admission that are specified by the individual college. A brief explanation of each of these tests follows.

The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I)

Is a three-hour test of verbal and mathematical skills and is required by many two-year and four-year colleges, technical schools, and hospital-training schools. The Stratford District provides one School Day SAT for all grade 11 students in the spring. It is then encouraged that students usually take this test again at the end of grade 11, and/or at the beginning of grade 12. The SAT's are administered five times a year. Students should check online at www.collegeboard.org for test dates and locations. Please note that fee waivers are available for students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch; if students qualify or have questions regarding fee waivers, they should see their school counselor for details. Students can register: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register.

The Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT II)

Are designed to test students' knowledge in the specific academic areas. The following achievement test are available: American History and Social Studies, Biology, Chemistry, English Composition, European History and World Culture, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Literature, Mathematics Level I, Mathematics Level II, Physics, and Spanish.

The American College Tests (ACT)

Many colleges located in the South and the West require students to take this three-hour set of four tests in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Natural Science. Students should visit www.actstudent.org for test dates, locations, and to register for the exam. Please note that fee waivers are available for students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch; if students qualify or have questions regarding fee waivers, they should see their school counselor for details.

The Next Generation Science Standards Test (NGSS)

Assessments aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) will be administered to all students in Connecticut at Grade 11 starting in spring 2019. The NGSS assessments are administered using an online Test Delivery System maintained by the American Institutes for Research (AIR). This is the same online system that students use to complete the Smarter Balanced assessments in mathematics and language arts with similar technology specifications. The NGSS interim assessments include two item clusters aligned to different performance expectations across a variety of content areas (e.g., Ecosystems, Earth Systems, Force and Motion). 

The Advanced Placement Tests (AP)

Are administered to students who are enrolled in AP classes. Students may be granted college credit on the basis of scores received on these tests. These three-hour tests are given in May. Students are expected to participate. The fee for 2023-2024 is $102.00 for each exam. Students receiving free or reduced lunch do not pay the exam fee this year. All students are responsible for a $40.00 test cancellation fee in the event the student cancels the test. For more information check on the website www.apstudent.collegeboard.org. The SHS AP registration link, which opens on October 9, 2023, is: https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/70755 . The registration link closes on November 5, 2023. Please contact Dawn DiDonato, AP Site Coordinator with any questions: didonatod@stratk12.org. Parent Letter - English Parent Letter - Spanish

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Is a two and one-half hour test designed for all military services to measure the potential of the high school student in electronic, general mechanical, motor mechanical, clerical, administrative, and general technical areas. Testing is voluntary, and the student is under no obligation to join any branch of the service.The ASVAB career exploration test is being administered in December in the Career Center classroom.

The ASVAB is a career exploration program that includes an aptitude test, an interest inventory and career planning tool. It is open to all 11th and 12th grade students.

Although the test is administered by the military Stratford High School does not use the results for any military or recruiting purposes. It is offered exclusively as a career exploration tool. Please see your school counselor if you have any questions.

Students who take the ASVAB at Stratford High School, will be invited to a follow-up ASVAB Interpretation session in February led by a coordinator for the ASVAB. At this session, students will gain a better understanding of their scores and what they indicate, as well as how to improve their scores.