PLSD Junior ACT Testing

• Pickerington High School North: Eric Rutter at eric_rutter@plsd.us
• Pickerington High School Central: Maria Perez at maria_perez@plsd.us
• Pickerington Academy: Michelle Hurd at michelle_hurd@plsd.us

The ACT is a national exam designed to gauge a student's mastery of college readiness concepts. Historically, colleges have used individual ACT exam scores to determine admissions acceptance and access to scholarship opportunities. While many colleges moved to a test-optional admissions policy during the Covid-19 Pandemic, many colleges such as the Ohio State University have reverted back to ACT testing based admissions policies. Additionally, the majority of colleges also use individual ACT scores to determine access to scholarship opportunities.

In cooperation with the State of Ohio, Pickerington Local Schools will once again offer a District administration of the ACT exam for free to the current Junior class during the 25-26 school year. Please note that this exam takes place outside of the National designated test dates offered by the ACT.

The ACT test will be given to all JUNIORS on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026. There will be NO SCHOOL for all Freshman, Sophomores, and Seniors on March 18th. Freshman, Sophomores, and Seniors will be required to complete work at home on March 18th and turn it into their teachers when they return to school. JUNIORS should report to school as usual on March 18th and arrive to their testing location by 7:55am. Late admittance will not be permitted per ACT policy.

If a student is selected for multi-day testing due to testing accommodations, they will be notified of their start date and testing location. Multi-day testing will begin on Monday, March 16th, 2026.

We will test all Juniors that attend Pickerington High School North, Pickerington High School Central, and Pickerington Academy at their respective buildings. Additionally, we will test Pickerington Juniors that attend CCP, Mosaic, and Satellite programs at their home school. Students that attend the main Eastland or Fairfield campus will take the ACT at those campuses on a date determined by the Career Center.

Students that attend Pickerington High School North for the Multimedia Satellite Program but belong to another high school or school district will take the ACT exam at their respective home school campus. Those students should contact their home school to determine if and when their school district will administer their ACT exam.

Students will take the exam at their high school. Later this school year, all students will receive notification on where they will test in the building. Students are assigned to specific rooms during the exam and will be required to report there.

The exam is fully online but students will be permitted to use school provided scratch paper. During testing, students will need to bring the following:

1. Fully Charged Chromebook.

2. Pencil or Pen Writing Utensil.

3. Photo ID (Drivers License, State ID, or Pickerington School ID).

Students will be dismissed from the ACT exam around noon unless they have testing accommodations that go beyond that time frame. While bussing will be provided in the morning, bussing to return home will not be provided until school dismissal around 2:55pm. If a student does not have transportation to return home after the exam, they will be required to report to the Commons after testing is concluded and will remain there until dismissal at 2:55pm.

Students will have the opportunity to receive their lunch at school on the day of the exam. Due to the early dismissal, lunch will only be available if they complete this lunch form. A lunch will not be prepared for the student if the form is not completed by March 6th, 2026.

Students and families do not have to register for the ACT. The school district will complete all registration information for the district level ACT exam on March 18th.

Students and families can request use of accommodations approved through their Section 504, Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or English Language Learner Plans if applicable. To request accommodations, students must return this completed linked form to their building's counseling office by end of the school day on December 12, 2025. If you require a paper copy, they can be found in the counseling office.

If you want to completely opt your child out of the ACT, please complete this form.

In preparation for the exam, students should begin studying to receive the best possible score. In an effort to help provide additional resources to the ACT, Pickerington has the following resources available:

1.Free ACT practice can be found at: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html

2. ACT Review Test Preparatory Course. The ACT Review company will offer an at-cost preparation program for students on Friday, February 13th, 2026 from 8am to 2pm at Pickerington High School North during the school day. Information on cost and registration can be found linked here. This session is open to all Pickerington students regardless of which school they attend.

3. The Next Level Prep ACT Preparatory course will be offered February 21st, 2026 and February 28th, 2026. Interested students should attend both sessions. More information on cost and registration can be found linked here. This session will also be open to all Pickerington students regardless of which school they attend in the district.

If you have any questions regarding the Junior PHSN administration of the ACT, please reach out to your respective building representative below:

• Pickerington High School North: Eric Rutter at eric_rutter@plsd.us
• Pickerington High School Central: Maria Perez at maria_perez@plsd.us
• Pickerington Academy: Michelle Hurd at michelle_hurd@plsd.us