Overview of State Testing with Accommodations
PreACT 9 Secure for Grade 9
Overview: PreACT 9 Secure is an online summative assessment given to 9th-grade students, that is aligned to the ACT. The PreACT 9 Secure mirrors the ACT in many ways, including implementation, test delivery, scoring, and reporting. The results from PreACT 9 Secure can be used to help students plan their coursework and other learning opportunities to help ensure that they are prepared for the ACT and their postsecondary goals.
Grade Testing: Grade 9 – Freshmen
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
PreACT Secure for Grade 10
Overview: PreACT Secure is an online summative assessment given to 10th-grade students. The PreACT Secure mirrors the ACT, including implementation, test delivery, scoring, and reporting. It is vertically aligned to measure educational progress in the context of preparing for the ACT and planning for college and careers. The results from PreACT Secure can be used to help students plan their coursework and other learning opportunities to help ensure that they are prepared for the ACT and their postsecondary goals.
Grade Testing: Grade 10 – Sophomore
Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
ACT with Writing for Grade 11
Overview: The state-funded ACT is an online assessment given to 11th-grade students and consists of four multiple-choice sections—English, mathematics, reading, science, and a writing section.
Grade Testing: Grade 11 and Select grade 12 (only as required)
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
ACT Accommodations
Accommodations for students with disabilities and support for English Learners (ELs) are allowed for the ISBE-Provided PreACT 9 Secure, PreACT Secure, and ACT with Writing.
The ACT requires prior approval to make accommodations. Therefore for a student to receive accommodations on the ACT, schools need consent to start the application process. If this has not been completed and you wish for your child to apply for accommodations please complete the Consent to Release Information to ACT and submit it to your counselor for 504 plans, or case manager for students with IEPs.
The PreACT Secure accommodations process is implemented by the schools and prior approval is not required by ACT. For accommodations to be provided on the PreACT Secure, the student must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan, and Multilingual Learners identified as such in ISBE’s Student Information System.
Key Information for Accessibility Supports from ACT
*For the PreAct 9 Secure & PreACT Secure
- On test day, students can use accommodations, designated supports, and EL supports, together with universal supports, as approved by the test coordinator.
- Examinees with different timing must test in separate rooms.
- Examinees using a text-to-speech reader may test as a group if they use headphones, can control the progress of their own devices, and begin each test at the same time.
- ACT encourages group administrations for examinees authorized for the same accommodations and/or supports.
- ACT prefers classrooms and recommends no more than 20 examinees testing with accommodations and/or EL supports in one room.
- ACT recommends reserving the same room for each day you will test and scheduling consecutive days for examinees authorized to test over multiple days (although you may skip days as necessary).
- Multiple-day testing will occur over several days of the accommodations testing window; however, each test must be completed during a single session. The days do not have to be consecutive.
- Single-day testing occurs all in one day, and all tests must be completed in a single session.
ACT Resources
- ISBE 2024-25 State Assessment Dates
- Grade 12 ACT and DLM-AA: Who must test?
- ISBE – High School Assessment (ACT with Writing, PreACT Secure, PreACT 9 Secure
- ACT-Hosted Website for Illinois
Dynamic Learning Map (DLM-AA)
Overview: What is the Dynamic Learning Maps® Assessment? The Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA) tests academic progress in English language arts (reading and writing), math, and/or science. This assessment is designed for students with many types of significant cognitive disabilities. It is a completely individualized test designed so students can show what they know and can do. The assessment is given in short parts called testlets so the student does not become too tired or stressed. Results from the embedded assessment given during the school year provide information that the teacher can use to guide classroom instruction. Students will receive an Individual Student Score Report for each subject tested. This report indicates the skills demonstrated during the assessment.
Grade Testing: Qualifying students per their IEP in 9th-11th grade, and grade 12 students that were enrolled during the school year and did not test.
Date(s): Friday, April 11, 2025
Students will complete testing on additional days during the ISBE-approved testing window.
*Per the ISBE/DLM-AA assessment, the spring window is March 12 (earliest) – May 7, 2025 (latest)