Wednesday Oct. 12 is National Test Day.

Students all around the country will be taking nationally administered standardized tests that day. At Jesuit High School Sacramento, freshmen will be taking the English Diagnostic Test, sophomores will be taking the Pre-American College Test, and juniors will be taking the Preliminary SAT. 

Assistant Principal for Academics Mr. Colin O’Connor ’04 explains the importance of the tests taken on National Test Day and how they can lead to new opportunities.

“Regardless of a student’s grade level, the test taken on that day offers a snapshot of some aspect of academic achievement and potential,” Mr. O’Connor said. “If students do well, it can open doors for new opportunities or even recognition like in the National Merit competition.”

Mr. O’Connor also outlines the importance of the tests for students who struggle on them, and that the main goal of tests is for the results to be precise in gauging a students’ ability.

“If students don’t do as well, the results may inform conversations about how to best support them through the rest of high school and beyond,” Mr. O’Connor said. “What matters most is that our results are accurate and reflective of your real capabilities.”

For Charles Sander ’23, one of Jesuit’s three National Merit Semifinalists, his experience with the PSAT during his junior year helped prepare him for the SAT.

“I almost ran out of time on the PSAT reading section, which made me pay closer attention to my time in the SAT reading section,” Charles said.

Sophomore Toby Hekkanen ’25 agrees that the tests taken on National Test Day help prepare students for the more important standardized tests such as the ACT and the SAT.

“It helps familiarize[students] with the subject matter that will be on the actual ACT and SAT tests [and] it helps you get used to the format of the test,” Toby said.

Mr. O’Connor urges students to pay extra attention to the demographic information section of the tests.

“I want to make sure students know they should share their demographic information as fully and accurately as possible,” Mr. O’Connor said. “Colleges, universities, and scholarship opportunities will come knocking if you share all that information, and it’s always good to expand your options!”

National Test Day offers an opportunity for students to showcase their academic skills, to expand their options, and to prepare for the bigger tests down the line such as the ACT and SAT.