MDE College and Career Readiness Assessments 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which MDE-administered assessment is used to measure college readiness in 11th-grade Minnesota students?
- ACT (Correct answer)
- SAT
- PSAT 10
- WorkKeys
Correct answer: ACT
Minnesota provides the ACT to all 11th-grade students at no cost as the state's college readiness assessment.
Question 2: What does the ACT WorkKeys assessment primarily measure?
- Career readiness and workplace skills (Correct answer)
- College GPA prediction
- Advanced STEM knowledge
- Foreign language proficiency
Correct answer: Career readiness and workplace skills
ACT WorkKeys measures foundational workplace skills such as applied math, workplace documents, and business writing.
Question 3: At what grade level do Minnesota students typically take the PSAT 8/9?
- Grades 8 or 9 (Correct answer)
- Grades 10 or 11
- Grade 7 only
- Grade 12 only
Correct answer: Grades 8 or 9
The PSAT 8/9 is designed for students in grades 8 or 9 to begin measuring college and career readiness skills early.
Question 4: Which score on the ACT indicates that a student is on track for college readiness in a given subject according to ACT benchmarks?
- Meeting or exceeding the ACT College Readiness Benchmark for that subject (Correct answer)
- Scoring a perfect 36
- Scoring above 20 in all subjects
- Completing all four subject tests
Correct answer: Meeting or exceeding the ACT College Readiness Benchmark for that subject
ACT College Readiness Benchmarks are subject-specific minimum scores that predict a 50% chance of earning a B or better in a corresponding first-year college course.
Question 5: Which Minnesota program provides free ACT testing to all eligible 11th-grade public school students?
- MDE's Statewide ACT Administration (Correct answer)
- National Merit Scholarship Program
- Minnesota GEAR UP
- College Board Access Program
Correct answer: MDE's Statewide ACT Administration
MDE administers the ACT statewide to 11th graders at no cost, ensuring equitable access to college readiness measurement.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the PSAT/NMSQT offered to 10th and 11th graders in Minnesota?
- Practice for the SAT and qualification for National Merit Scholarships (Correct answer)
- Replacing the ACT for college admissions
- Fulfilling MDE graduation requirements
- Measuring workforce readiness for employers
Correct answer: Practice for the SAT and qualification for National Merit Scholarships
The PSAT/NMSQT serves as SAT practice and is the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship recognition.
Question 7: How do College and Career Readiness Assessment results typically inform instruction in Minnesota schools?
- Teachers use score data to identify skill gaps and adjust curriculum for college/career preparation (Correct answer)
- Results are used solely for state ranking purposes
- Results determine whether students graduate
- Only counselors may access the data
Correct answer: Teachers use score data to identify skill gaps and adjust curriculum for college/career preparation
Educators use CCR assessment results to identify where students need additional support and to align instruction with college and career expectations.
MDE College and Career Readiness Assessments 2
Which MDE-administered assessment is used to measure college readiness in 11th-grade Minnesota students?