Standardized Tests

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School uses standardized assessments to measure student progress in areas such as English, math, and science.

In addition to the Kansas State Assessments, students complete Fastbridge, a computer adapted test, that provides our counselors with data on individual skills in order to guide instruction and interventions for students.

College-readiness exams such as the Pre ACT, ACT and PSAT measure a student's preparedness for college-level work and are used for admissions and scholarship decisions.

NOTE: If a student has a current CSSSP, contact Dr Heather Wolf if interested in applying for standardized testing accommodations.

The image is a table that provides an overview of standardized testing requirements for different grade levels, including Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students.

College Readiness Exams

Taking the National ACT

Students may take the ACT multiple times as colleges will take the best score. There are several testing sites available in Kansas City, including Saint Thomas Aquinas.

All juniors take a FREE ACT in school the spring of their junior year.

To register for the ACT, follow these steps:

Create an account with ACT
Register for an ACT national test date*.

*Aquinas is a paper only testing location. If you cannot find STA, double check that you selected the "Paper" test option.

NOTE: The Science subsection is no longer a required part of the ACT in order to receive an overall score. However, some colleges and competitive programs are still requiring it and because of that it is our recommendation that you still study for and take the Science test. We encourage you to research the colleges you are interested in to make a well informed decision. Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Stephens if you want to discuss ACT strategies in regards to specific schools on your college list.

For Questions on ACT Testing

Deb Castinado
Academic Counselor
913-319-2453
dcastinado@stasaints.net

2025-26 ACT Testing Schedule

*Indicates that Saint Thomas Aquinas HS is a test center for the date.

Date	Reg. Deadline	Late Reg. Deadline
*Sept 6	Aug 1	Aug 19
*Oct 18	Sept 12	Sept 30
*Dec 13	Nov 7	Nov 24
*Feb 14	Jan 7	Jan 21
*Apr 11	Mar 6	Mar 24
*June 13	May 8	May 27
July 11	June 5	June 24

Our AP Program

The AP program prepares students to sit for the AP Exam in May of the corresponding academic year, which may qualify students to receive college credit based on their AP Exam Score.

Learn more about the AP courses we offer.

Academic Programs

There is no cost for enrolling in AP courses.
The 2026 AP Exams cost $150 per exam.
Students taking AP courses/exams at Saint Thomas Aquinas HS must enroll/register by 11:59 pm, March 6, 2026.

Please note: for students taking an AP course in the Fall semester, there is a late registration fee of $40 for registering for the AP exam after 11/8.

To register for an AP exam, follow these steps:

Enroll in the AP Classroom with a code provided by the teacher.
Go to Total Registration to register/pay for exam(s).

AP Testing Schedule

*NOTE: The AP courses/exam listed below only include those offered by grade level at Saint Thomas Aquinas. It does not reflect the ALL of the AP tests given on that particular day.

Week 1	Morning 8 a.m. Local Time	Afternoon 12 p.m. Local Time
Tuesday, May 5, 2026	Chemistry (grades 11,12)	Unites States Government & Politics (grade 12)
Wednesday, May 6, 2026	English Literature & Comp (grade 12)	Physics 1: Algebra-Based (grades 11,12)
Thursday, May 7, 2026	World History: Modern (grade 10)	Statistics (grades 11,12)
Friday, May 8, 2026	United States History (grade 11)	Macroeconomics (grades 11,12)
Week 2	Morning 8 a.m. Local Time	Afternoon 12 p.m. Local Time
Monday, May 11, 2026	Calculus AB (grades 11,12) Calculus BC (grade 12)
Tuesday, May 12, 2026	Precalculus (grades 10,11,12)	Psychology (grades 11,12)
Wednesday, May 13, 2026	English Language & Comp (grade 11)
Thursday, May 14, 2026		Computer Science Principles (grades 9,10,11,12)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take the ACT?

What test prep options are available for the ACT?

What qualifies a person for accommodations?

In order to qualify for accommodations on Kansas State Assessments:
Per the State of Kansas, “accommodations made on the state assessment are completed on all instructional assignments, as well as classroom, district, and standardized assessments.”

PSAT Sophomore year and ACT Junior year:
In order to qualify for accommodations on standardized tests per other testing organization guidelines ( PSAT, ACT) current documentation (within 3 years) of the disability from a doctor/medical facility or from the public school system must be provided to the Special Services Department.

The Special Services Department will submit the appropriate paperwork to the appropriate entities, but the decisions are made solely by the testing organizations, not Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Should I take the PSAT before Junior year?

Taking the PSAT in 9th or 10th grade is optional but often helpful. It’s not required, but it can build confidence and help you prep more effectively for junior year.

You should consider it if:

You want early practice with college-admissions-style testing
You want low-pressure exposure before the real, scholarship-qualifying PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade
You want to identify strengths and weaknesses early

Why take the SAT?

The SAT is another major college entrance exam accepted by almost all U.S. colleges. Some students take both the ACT and SAT to see which test suits them better. SAT is slower, more analytical, reasoning based, and reading heavy.

Reasons to take the SAT include:

It may align better with your test-taking style; you are strong at problem solving and like puzzles
It can increase your scholarship opportunities if you perform better than the ACT
East and West Coast schools as well as International schools often prioritize SAT, but will generally accept either test.

For Questions on AP Testing

Chris Berger
Director of Assessments & Attendance
913-319-2455
cberger@stasaints.net

For Questions on College-Ready Tests

Janey Stephens
Director of College Placement
913-319-2477
jstephens@stasaints.net

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