High School Assessments
Indiana provides a variety of assessments intended to support high school students and measure student progress. Some assessments may impact graduation requirements. More information regarding graduation requirements may be found on the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE’s) Graduation Pathways webpage. Find more information about the new Indiana high school diploma here.
High School Assessment Timeline
ILEARN or I AM Biology is federally required to be completed in the semester or trimester that the student completes the biology course or biology content connectors. Out-of-state transfer students who have not yet taken their previous state’s high school science accountability assessment must complete ILEARN Biology. The I AM alternate assessment is federally required to be completed in grade 10. The Indiana SAT is used as Indiana’s federal high school accountability assessment for students in grade 11 that fall within their junior year cohort. The naturalization examination is required under state law for public schools in the semester or trimester that the student completes the U.S. government course. This legislation also requires that results be shared with IDOE. The ILEARN U.S. Government is an optional assessment offered in the spring after the student completes the U.S. government course. The PSAT/NMSQT is another optional assessment for grade 10 and 11 students.
Indiana SAT
Indiana administers College Board’s SAT to fulfill requirements pursuant to Indiana Code 20-32-5.1-7(d) for high school accountability. Students may also use scores to fulfill some high school graduation requirements. SAT assesses high school mathematics, reading, and writing standards in grade 11.
- Frequently Asked Questions
When is the SAT administered?
The SAT is administered in March each school year. View this year’s assessment windows on the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Assessment webpage.
What is the test design for the SAT?
The SAT School Day is a timed, online assessment consisting of the following:
- Reading and Writing Test: 64 minutes for 54 questions
- Four-option multiple choice
- Discrete questions (each question stands on its own and is not based on a shared passage or shared stimulus)
- No essay portion
- Mathematics Test: 70 minutes for 44 questions
- Four-option multiple choice (approximately 75%)
- Student-produced numeric responses (approximately 25%)
- Discrete questions (each question stands on its own and is not based on a shared passage or shared stimulus)
- Calculators allowed on all items
Certain students may receive additional time per their formal plan’s allowable accommodations.
Additional test design details can be found in the Assessment Framework for the Digital SAT and The Digital SAT Suite of Assessments Specifications Overview documents.
Who participates in the SAT?
Grade 11 (junior cohort) students will participate in the SAT School Day per the federal accountability requirement. Students who participated in a previous SAT Weekend administration must still participate in their cohort’s SAT School Day administration.
How can students prepare for the SAT?
- SAT College Board Student Webpage
- SAT Suite of Assessments Practice
- SAT Practice and Khan Academy Video: English│Spanish
How will students receive scores?
Scores are available to students via their College Board student account, in the BigFuture School App, and/or a printable PDF from their school. Educators will receive access to scores before students via College Board’s K-12 Assessment Reporting Portal. Scores will include standard SAT scores as well as Indiana-specific proficiency levels. Students may elect to send their SAT score reports to up to four colleges/universities at no charge.
Where can I find more information?
- Digital SAT School Day Frequently Asked Questions for Implementation (Spring 2026)
- SAT Accommodations Frequently Asked Questions (Spring 2025)
- SAT Accommodations Frequently Asked Questions (Spring 2026) Coming Soon!
- Reading and Writing Test: 64 minutes for 54 questions
- Additional SAT Resources and Guidance
- Indiana SAT Accommodations Crosswalk (2025-2026)
- SAT School Day 2025-2026 Milestones
- SAT School Day Performance Cut Scores
- Indiana SAT Test Blueprint (Indiana Assessment Framework): Mathematics
- Indiana SAT Test Blueprint (Indiana Assessment Framework): English/Language Arts
- Digital SAT Sample Questions and Answer Explanations
- College Board Indiana Resources Google Drive
- SAT Assessment and Graduation Requirements Video English│Spanish
- SAT State-Allowed Accommodation (SAA) Questionnaire
- Family Support and Resources
PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized assessment administered by College Board and co-sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in the United States. The State of Indiana provides funds (as appropriated in HEA 1001 [2025]) to measure students’ college- and career-readiness, indicate student academic strengths and challenges, and provide additional support to students (I.C. 20-32-9-3). The PSAT/NMSQT may be administered to students in grade 10 and/or grade 11 for this purpose.
- Family Support and Resources
- ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) & Optional U.S. Government ECA
Information regarding the ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) and U.S. Government ECA for high school students can be found on IDOE’s ILEARN webpage.
- Naturalization Examination
Indiana Code 20-30-5-7 requires public Indiana high schools to administer the naturalization examination, provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), to each student enrolled in a U.S. Government course where credit is awarded for General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, or Core 40 with Technical Honors designation. Further information regarding administering and reporting this naturalization examination is available in this memo.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
Indiana’s biennial budget provides funding to cover the fees for AP and Cambridge International exams taken by Indiana students in grades nine through 12 who are enrolled in an accredited public or non-public school. A maximum of two exams per student, per year may be funded. Find additional information in this memo.
For general assistance regarding statewide assessments, please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment via email at INassessments@doe.in.gov or phone at (317) 232-9050.