Assessments

Why Are These Exams Important?

These exams reflect both individual growth and our school’s overall performance. They also mirror the testing expectations students will encounter in post-secondary contexts and can be connected to admissions and scholarship opportunities. At Fossil Ridge, we strive to create a supportive environment that minimizes stress while encouraging students to give their best effort. While we know testing is only one measure of the incredible work happening with our Sabercat Family, it is an important opportunity to highlight our students and our school community. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure attendance, preparedness, professionalism, and realistic expectations ensuring these exams reflect the true strength of our students and community.

For questions, please contact Dr. Sonja Gedde at sgedde@psdschools.org or 970-488-6336.

Please select the appropriate test below for specific information.

 

College Board Assessment Resources

Juniors: PSAT/NMSQT, SAT

Sophomores: PSAT 10

Freshmen: PSAT 9

Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Links:

General Assessment Information

The Role of State Assessments in Increasing Academic Achievement

 

NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)

TUESDAY, October 21, 2025 

7:30 AM, Location TBD

Sophomores and Juniors may register until October 15, 2025. While Juniors may use this test to qualify for the scholarship, Sophomores cannot qualify but can use this as a practice test. Registering and payment found on School Pay.

Please note that all students in 9th - 11th will be automatically registered for the PSAT/SAT in April at no charge to the students.

 

 

 

9th Grade

  • The PSAT 8/9 provides the first year of data that is comparable across the College Board suite of assessments.
  • The PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT NMSQT, & SAT are very similar exams in both structure and questioning.
  • Using their results from the PSAT 8/9, students can access customized guided practice in areas for growth in preparation for the PSAT 10, utilizing Khan Academy.  See Collegeboard.org for more information about how to take advantage of this excellent free resource.
  • The PSAT 8/9 gives the students the experience of standardized testing which cannot be duplicated in the normal day-to-day classroom.  You do not want the first experience of this testing environment when you take your college entrance exam as a Junior. 

10th Grade

  • Sophomores take the PSAT 10, which is normed to other sophomores exclusively.
  • The PSAT 10, PSAT NMSQT, & SAT are very similar in both structure and questioning.
  • Using their results from the PSAT 10, students can access customized guided practice in areas for growth in preparation for the PSAT NMSQT or SAT, utilizing Khan Academy.  See Collegeboard.org for more information about how to take advantage of this excellent free resource.
  • The PSAT 10 gives the students the experience of standardized testing which cannot be duplicated in the normal day-to-day classroom.  You do not want the first experience of this testing environment when you take your college entrance exam as a Junior. 

11th Grade

  • Juniors who scored competitively on the PSAT 10 are encouraged to take the PSAT NMSQT, which is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program. This exam takes place during the school day in October.
  • Juniors will take the SAT school day assessment in April.
  • SAT exam scores may be submitted to colleges/universities for admissions and scholarship decisions.
  • Many colleges/universities utilize Super Scoring.  In Super Scoring, the best Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score and the best Math scores will be used to calculate a composite score, even if the scores are from different assessment dates.

11th Grade (CMAS)

  •  The CMAS Science exam assesses the content students learn throughout the high school science curriculum.
  • The CMAS provides students the experience of taking a high-stakes computer-based exam which is something we cannot duplicate in the normal day-to-day classroom.  Many placement tests for colleges and universities are computer-based, and this experience will help them prepare for future tests. 
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