Testing

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is pleased to announce plans to offer  the Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) to students in grades 10-11 on October 8, 2025, at Herndon High School . A  PSAT/NMSQT Testing Notification letter is posted online.

Digital Format:The PSAT/NMSQT is delivered digitally. Some testing accommodations are administered differently on digital tests than they are on paper/pencil tests. Please reference the  Using Accommodations on Digital Tests chart to review how each accommodation is delivered digitally. 

Students with disabilities and multilingual learners (MLs) may be eligible for testing accommodations and/or supports for the PSAT/NMSQT; however, the College Board requires schools to submit formal requests in advance. 

• Testing Accommodations:Students with disabilities who have testing accommodations documented in a 504 Plan or an individualized education program (IEP) may be eligible for testing accommodations on the PSAT/NMSQT. The College Board must approve a formal request for each student. If the student already has College Board accommodations approved from a previous PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, SAT, or AP test, there is no need to resubmit accommodation requests. Once instated, accommodations remain in place for all College Board testing. The  Accommodations Process for College Board Testing webpage provides instructions for requesting College Board testing accommodations, including the required input and consent forms (Enclosures 2-3).
  • FOR IEP STUDENTS: To request new or amended College Board accommodations for the October SAT School Day  for IEP Students, please return the input and consent forms to the school by August 4, 2025 to Drew Murphy in the Main Office or by E-Mail at  [email protected] .
  • FOR 504 STUDENTS: To request new or amended College Board accommodations for the October SAT School Day  for IEP Students, please return the input and consent forms to the school by August 4, 2025 to Matt Dell’Orso in the Main Office or by E-Mail [email protected] .
• ML Supports: Multilingual learners, defined as English learners under federal and state policy, are eligible for testing supports on the SAT School Day exam. ML supports are temporary and must be requested each school year. The  EL Supports Process for College Board Testing webpage provides instructions for requesting EL testing supports, including the required input and consent forms (Enclosures 5-6).
  • To request College Board ML supports for the 2025 SAT School Day, return the input and consent forms to the school by August 28, 2025, to Karl Gussow, Assessment Coach in the Main Office or by E-Mail at [email protected] .

Please note that the SSD representatives ARE NOT on contract during the summer months so please be patient if you do not receive an immediate response. 

We will share more specifics about the October PSAT/NMSQT testing opportunity at the beginning of the school year.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is pleased to announce plans to offer  the SAT School Day to students in grade 12 on October 8, 2025, at Herndon High School. A  SAT School Day Testing Notification letter is posted online.  

Digital Format:The SAT School Day is delivered digitally. Some testing accommodations are administered differently on digital tests than they are on paper/pencil tests. Please reference the  Using Accommodations on Digital Tests chart to review how each accommodation is delivered digitally. 

Students with disabilities and multilingual learners (MLs) may be eligible for testing accommodations and/or supports for the SAT School Day; however, the College Board requires schools to submit formal requests in advance. 

• Testing Accommodations:Students with disabilities who have testing accommodations documented in a 504 Plan or an individualized education program (IEP) may be eligible for testing accommodations on the SAT School Day. The College Board must approve a formal request for each student.  If the student already has College Board accommodations approved from a previous PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, SAT, or AP test, then no further action is needed. Once instated, accommodations remain in place for all College Board testing.  The  Accommodations Process for College Board Testing webpage provides instructions for requesting College Board testing accommodations, including the required input and consent forms (Enclosures 2-3).
  • FOR IEP STUDENTS: To request new or amended College Board accommodations for the October SAT School Day  for IEP Students, please return the input and consent forms to the school by August 4, 2025 to Drew Murphy in the Main Office or by E-Mail at  [email protected] .
  • FOR 504 STUDENTS: To request new or amended College Board accommodations for the October SAT School Day  for IEP Students, please return the input and consent forms to the school by August 4, 2025 to Matt Dell’Orso in the Main Office or by E-Mail [email protected] .
• ML Supports: Multilingual learners, defined as English learners under federal and state policy, are eligible for testing supports on the SAT School Day exam. ML supports are temporary and must be requested each school year. The  EL Supports Process for College Board Testing webpage provides instructions for requesting EL testing supports, including the required input and consent forms (Enclosures 5-6).
  • To request College Board ML supports for the 2025 SAT School Day, return the input and consent forms to the school by August 28, 2025, to Karl Gussow, Assessment Coach in the Main Office or by E-Mail at [email protected] .

Please note that the SSD representatives ARE NOT on contract during the summer months so please be patient if you do not receive an immediate response. 

We will share more specifics about the October SAT School Day testing opportunity at the beginning of the school year.

SAT Test Registration

When you  register for the SAT online , please make sure that you are using the School Test Code for Herndon High School (School Test Code: CEEB 471065) as this is the  College Entrance Examination Board number.

This year, the SAT test will be administered in a digital format. Students and families can find more information on the new testing format on the following links:

• College Board: What’s on the SAT Exam
• What to Expect on Test Day?

Testing Dates at Herndon High School

The SAT test will be conducted at Herndon High School for the 2025-2026 school year on the following dates:

• Aug. 23, 2025
• Sept. 13, 2025
• Oct. 4, 2025
• Nov. 8, 2025
• Dec. 6, 2025
• March 14, 2026
• May 2, 2026
• June 6, 2026

Required Materials

On testing day, all students  must bring the following materials that are required for taking the SAT: 

• Student IDthat includes a picture of the student.  Electronic pictures are not acceptable. Acceptable ID can be the following:
  • Herndon High School Picture ID (this year’s ID or last year’s ID is acceptable. If you are not a Herndon High School student, please bring your current school picture ID.
  • Driver’s License or State issued ID.
  • Non-Expired Passport
• College Board Test Ticket– Please make sure that the picture on the test ticket will allow for clear identification. The test ticket must include the registration number  and be a hard copy. Electronic devices showing the text ticket are not acceptable.
• No. 2 pencils that are not mechanical in nature- please note that pens are not allowed to complete the test and pencils  will NOT be available.
• FCPS Assigned Chromebook and Charger– FCPS students taking the SAT will be required to bring their assigned Chromebook and charger as the PSAT/NMSQT Test will be online through the College Board Bluebook test system. 

Non FCPS Students may bring their own device ready to connect to the wifi or a loaner laptop will be provided.

Permitted Materials

Students are permitted to bring the following materials. 

• Approved calculator- Schools will not provide calculators on the day of testing. Further details regarding approved calculators can be found here .
• Food/water– Food and water are allowed in the exam room but must remain underneath the desk during the exam period. It can only be accessed outside of the testing room during breaks unless a specific accommodation allows otherwise.

Prohibited Materials

Students are prohibited from using  any electronic device while in the testing room and during breaks from the time that they are entering the building until they are dismissed at the end of the testing session.   to use the following materials in the testing room and during breaks. This includes:

• Smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
• All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and will be collected by the test proctor.
• It is highly recommended that you do not bring any electronic device into the building!!

Test Optional Colleges and Universities

Lists of colleges and universities that make SAT/ACT scores optional for admissions.

• Test Optional Schools 

For questions about the day of the test, contact our site coordinator  Sharon Bowen . Arrival time is printed on your test ticket.

ACT Test Registration

When you register for the  ACT online , please make sure that you are using the School Test Code for Herndon High School (School Test Code: CEEB 471065) 

Testing Dates at Herndon High School

The ACT test will be conducted at Herndon High School for the 2025-2026 school year on the following dates:

• September 6, 2025
• October 18, 2025
• December 13, 2025
• February 14, 2026
• April 11, 2026
• June 13, 2026
• July 11, 2026

Materials

Required Materials

On testing day, all students  must bring the following materials that are required for taking the ACT: 

• Graphing Calculator ( list of approved calculators )
• Two or more No. 2 pencils- not mechanical
• Photo ID (Be prepared to show a photo ID like your school ID card, driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• Test ticket
• Water bottle (optional)
• Snack (optional)

Prohibited Materials

Students are prohibited from using  any electronic device while in the testing room and during breaks from the time that they are entering the building until they are dismissed at the end of the testing session.   to use the following materials in the testing room and during breaks. This includes:

• Smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
• All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and will be collected by the test proctor.
• It is highly recommended that you do not bring any electronic device into the building!!

Test Optional Colleges and Universities

Lists of colleges and universities that make SAT/ACT scores optional for admissions.

• Test Optional Schools 

For questions about the day of the test, contact our site coordinator  Sharon Bowen . Arrival time is printed on your test ticket.

What are WorkKeys® Tests?

The Virginia Department of Education has approved ACT WorkKeys® assessments as substitutes for certain graduation requirements . Herndon High School uses the Business Writing WorkKeys® for students in need of earning a writing verified credit for the following reasons:

• The Business Writing WorkKeys® format is closely aligned with Virginia EOC English: Writing Standards of Learning, which serve as the framework for English 9, 10, and 11 course curricula.
• Business Writing WorkKeys® results report with a span of three days, which allows students to remediate faster than if they completed the Writing SOL where results can take four to six weeks to report. (A score of 3 or higher is needed to pass).
• Business Writing WorkKeys® test windows are more frequent (mostly monthly) which allows for more chances for success while juniors, there is only one Writing SOL window in March or in the fall for a retest should a student not be successful.
• In most cases, the Business Writing WorkKeys® occurs in class and within a class period whereas the Writing SOL spans two days of testing, impacting student class schedules.

Are there other WorkKeys® Tests?

• The  Workplace Documentstest may be used as a substitute for the SOL EOC English: Reading Test. (Score of 4 or higher is required.).  Please note that the Reading SOL test must be completed before the Workplace Documents tests can be given.
• The  Workplace Documents,  Applied Math, and  Graphic Literacytests can be used to earn the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), which fulfills the industry credential requirement for students who entered ninth grade for the first time prior to 2018-2019 and are scheduled to graduate by June 2022 with a standard diploma. (Score of 3 or higher on each test is required.)

For more information, you can refer to the following information from ACT .

If you have questions about WorkKeys® Tests, you can contact our Assessment Coach, Dr. Karl Gussow .

What is WIDA Testing?

Current federal legislation requires that all English learners (ELs) participate annually in an English language proficiency assessment.  In the state of Virginia, all divisions use the WIDA  Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners ^® 2.0 (ACCESS for ELLs ^® 2.0) to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English.  ACCESS for ELLs ^® 2.0 is administered annually to all kindergarten ELs and all students in grades 1-12 with an English language proficiency (ELP) level of 1-5. 

ACCESS for ELLs ^® 2.0 is aligned with the WIDA English language development standards and assesses the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  The assessment will:

• Determine students’ English language proficiency level and eligibility for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services and testing accommodations.
• Help students and families understand students’ current level of ELP along the developmental continuum.
• Provide teachers with information they can use to plan for and support student learning.
• Assist in determining whether ELs have attained the language proficiency needed to participate meaningfully in content area classrooms without ESOL support.

Students participate annually in the ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0, even if ESOL services are declined, until they reach the criteria for ELP level 6 and are designated English proficient.

This year, the ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0, the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs®, or the ELP Checklists will be given in our school on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 and Wednesday, February 11, 2026.Students will receive their testing schedule via E-Mail during the third week of January 2025. It will be helpful if you can avoid appointments which may take your child out of school during this time.  Also, it will help your child perform his or her best if he or she has had a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and comes to school with a positive attitude.

Additional information can be found on the  FCPS ELP Assessment Parent Notification - WIDA and WIDA Screener page. If you have questions about WIDA testing, please contact your student’s school counselor or our Assessment Coach,  Dr. Karl Gussow .

SOL Information

Herndon High School students will be taking one or more Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course (EOC) assessments between April and May. All students will receive their testing schedule and other important information via school e-mail in the middle of April.  All testing times will start at 8:10 am. 

All SOL assessments are taken in-person at school. If you become aware of an unavoidable conflict that could result in your student missing a testing day, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible. 

Federal law requires schools to provide students in grades 9-12 one SOL test in Reading, Mathematics, and Science. These assessments provide information about student achievement to the parent/guardian, school, division, and state.

State law requires students to verify credits to fulfill Standard and Advanced Studies diploma graduation requirements, as outlined on the  Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage . SOL tests are the most common way students earn the verified credits they need. However, performance assessments (social studies only) or substitute assessments approved by the Virginia Board of Education may be another option available for your student to verify certain credits. 

A SOL High School Assessment Frequently Asked Questions webpage provides more information about SOL EOC tests in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). If you do not want your student to participate in SOL assessments, you have the right to refuse testing. However, any decision to refuse SOL tests should be made in consultation with school staff to allow full consideration of any potential implications for on-time graduation.  The Right to Refuse Assessments webpage offers important information as you consider this decision. 

If you would like to read this message in a preferred language, please view  this website .

Absent Students

Students who are absent from their SOL due to illness or family emergency will be rescheduled to test as soon as time and space permits. Students should return to Herndon prepared to take their missed SOL tests.

Expedited Retake Eligibility

Senior (Term Graduates) – Seniors are automatically eligible for an expedited retake regardless of non-passing score and may have a third attempt if passing the test is necessary for graduation or for a particular diploma. Students must attend remediation sessions with their teacher before completing a third attempt. Third attempts must be approved by the Office of Assessment and Reporting.

Underclass Students – Underclass students may be eligible for an expedited retake with a score of 350 and above. Students must attend remediation sessions with their teacher before completing an expedited retake.

Test Completion

Students may have as much time as they need to complete a SOL test if they are actively working on the test. All tests must be completed within the school day.

Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy

Students are not permitted to have cell phones or electronic devices in their possession during testing and should plan to secure them appropriately before testing. Students who are found with an electronic device, even if turned off, during testing or whose device makes noise during testing will not be permitted to finish testing and will not receive a score.

SOL Reminders for Students

• Students should get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast/lunch before the test.
• Students should not bring backpacks or electronic devices (including cell phones) into the testing room.
• Students should bring pencils and a picture ID to the test. Calculators will be provided.

In most cases, SOL assessment results are available in the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE within about three months. If you have questions about SOL testing, please contact your student’s school counselor or our Assessment Coach,  Dr. Karl Gussow .

AP Testing Calendar: Herndon High School, Spring 2026

The AP Exams for 2026 are scheduled for May 4-15, 2026. The specific exam dates within that period will be determined by College Board. Students should confirm their exam schedule with their school or teacher, as the exact dates for each exam will be announced by the College Board.

FCPS AP Exam Registration and Fees

Please refer to the FCPS website for additional information. 

• Advanced Placement (AP) Registration and Fees

What if a student has issues with their College Board account?

Students will login to their  College Board account

Herndon High School is not able to assist with a student’s College Board account. If there are issues in accessing a College Board account, you can refer to the  help page for assistance or by contacting the College Board at 888-225-5427 .

Is there other information that a student needs to know about AP testing at Herndon High School? 

Students will receive information sometime in late April/ early May 2025 with details about May AP Exams. This will include specific locations for their tests.

Am I able to sign up for an AP Exam for a class that I am not taking at Herndon High School?

Since the deadline to sign up for an AP Exam will be in late October, we will post information on registration as soon as it is available. 

Do I need to pay for the AP exams I'm taking?  

The fees for the first six AP tests taken by each student for courses in which they are enrolled for high school credit will be paid by FCPS. The letter you will receive in October will detail testing and fees. Any exams students take beyond the six FCPS-funded tests will be charged a fee through MySchoolBucks later in this school year. 

How do I opt out of an AP exam? 

The opt-out deadline will be in late October 2024 and information on how to opt-out of 2025 exams will be shared in October. If a student decides to opt-out of any additional exams  must do so by November 1, 2024, to avoid paying any fees.

What time do AP tests start? 

Morning AP Exams begin at 8:00 am and students should arrive no later than 7:45 am. Most morning exams are completed by 12:00 pm. Students taking an exam in the afternoon should report no later than 11:30 a.m. for their exam.  Afternoon exams typically run to about 4:00 pm, and student transportation will need to be provided by student or parent.

If a student is taking an exam in both the morning and the afternoon, he or she will have a brief break in between to eat lunch. 

Students who arrive after the test has started will not be admitted.

What if I’m sick on test day? 

Students should make all efforts to take AP tests on the College Board scheduled day. If students are extremely ill on the day of the test and unable to make it to school, they need to contact  Randi Fortier Counselor/AP Testing Coordinator 703-810-2224 on the morning of the test . A note is required to take a late test, and failure to provide documentation forfeits your right to take a late exam; there are no exceptions.

What if I get caught in traffic and run late on the day of the test? 

Unfortunately, once the test has started, students will not be admitted. Make sure that your travel plans include being early for the test, so this is a non-issue. A late test cannot be given for this situation.

Can I have my cell phone with me on the day of my test? 

No. Leave your cell phone. You will not be able to use it and it might result in an irregularity on test day; this could include your score being invalidated.

What else should I leave at home or in my locker?

• Students should not have any of the following with them on test day:
• Electronic devices – iPods, MP3 players, digital cameras, cell phones
• Extra materials – books, compasses, mechanical pencils, correction fluid, colored pencils, pencil cases.
• Backpacks.
• Tissue boxes.
• Rulers and straightedges (this will be provided on the AP Physics exam).
• Scratch paper.
• Watches that beep or have an alarm.
• Portable listening devices or recording devices (even with headphones and even if you’re done with a section early).
• Food or drink (including water bottles).
• Computers – if you use a word processor as an accommodation, it will be provided by the school. You may not bring your own.
• Calculators (unless taking AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Physics 1, Physics C-Mech, Physics C-E&M, or Statistics). Visit the most current list of  AP-approved calculators on the College Board student site.
• Clothing with subject-related information

How do I apply for College Board Accommodations for my student? 

Please note that testing accommodations listed on IEPs or 504s are not automatically granted for AP testing, so families must apply separately to the College Board. If a student already has College Board accommodations approved from a previous PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, SAT, or AP test, then no further action is needed. Once instated, accommodations remain in place for all College Board testing.  

• College Board Accommodations Dates & Deadlines Calendar
• FCPS College Board Accommodations Information (Translations Available) 

Paperwork must be submitted to Herndon by December 6, 2024, to allow for processing prior to the College Board deadline; however, we encourage students to submit paperwork as early as possible. All paperwork is to be given to  Drew Murphy , special education department chair and  Matt Dell’Orso , IEP/504 Coordinator. Families can also submit requests directly to College Board.

Processing for accommodations can take between 7-12 weeks, so we must have the paperwork in by December 6, 2024, to process before AP Testing in May.