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To ensure every Arkansas student is prepared for success after high school - whether through enrollment in college, enlistment in the military, or direct employment - the state has established an aligned system of support beginning with the Student Success Plan. This personalized roadmap, developed in collaboration with students and families, guides academic and career decisions from middle school through graduation. Central to this system is the College & Career Readiness (CCR) Suite of Assessments, a comprehensive set of tools that measure readiness and provide access to opportunities such as college credit, industry-recognized credentials, and military pathways. These assessments, as required by Act 724 offered at key grade levels and funded by the state, help students demonstrate merit and distinction, fulfill graduation requirements, and pursue postsecondary goals with confidence.

Please visit the Student Success Plan for more information.

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PreACT 8/9 and PreACT

Arkansas students enrolled in public or charter school will be given the opportunity to take the PreACT 8/9 assessment in 9th grade and the PreACT assessment in the 10th grade. These assessments will be given at each student's school. PreACT assessments give students early experience with ACT test items, provide a predicted ACT test score, and offer a wealth of information to help students get the start they need to be college ready.

Anchored on the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards, PreACT assessments help educators, students, and parents identify areas of academic strength and opportunity. By taking the PreACT assessments, Arkansas students:

  • Can have their information shared with colleges and scholarship agencies, providing greater opportunities for recruitment and scholarship awards.
  • Will receive results approximately 10 days after their test has been completed.
  • Will have an opportunity to identify potential college majors and career areas based on their interests.

It is never too early to help students get comfortable with the ACT test. The best way for Arkansas 9th and 10th grade students to prepare is with PreACT assessments, which helps students practice for the ACT, discover new opportunities, and start planning for the future.

 

The ACT

All Arkansas 11th grade students enrolled in a public or charter school will be given the opportunity to take the ACT during the spring of their junior year. The exam will be given at each student's school and can be used for all scholarship and college admittance purposes. The ACT multiple-choice tests are based on what students have learned in English, Reading, Math, and Science. The ACT will be administered online or paper depending upon the school's choice.
The ACT has long been recognized as one of the leading college entrance exams in the country and is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States. ACT's College and Career Readiness System provides a longitudinal approach to educational and career planning through assessment, curriculum support and student evaluation.
By taking the ACT, Arkansas students:

  • can have scores sent directly to college and universities.
  • make themselves visible to scholarship agencies.
  • will receive results in approximately 6-8 weeks.
  • will have an opportunity to research college majors based on their interests.
  • will have an opportunity to utilize the "World-of-Work Map" to explore career areas.

But more importantly, each Arkansas student will be able to further his or her education and prepare for a successful future.

 

ACT WorkKeys

The ACT WorkKeys assessment was approved by the State Board of Education to meet Arkansas Act 319 of 2021. All students in grades 10-12 have the opportunity to take WorkKeys before they graduate. The assessment measures essential work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations and represents work readiness through the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). The purpose of the NCRC is to provide students with a workplace certification that demonstrates their preparedness for the workforce, and measures their knowledge and skills in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.

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Arkansas public high school students now have the opportunity to take the Classic Learning Test (CLT) college entrance exam and CLT10 college preparatory exam at state cost. The CLT is accepted by hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide, with over $100 million in scholarships tied to CLT scores annually. The CLT is available to high school juniors and seniors, while the CLT10 serves as a preparatory assessment for 9th and 10th graders.

The CLT is designed to measure verbal reasoning, grammar, and writing skills by utilizing classic works of literature, philosophy, science, and historical texts. Its math section provides a rigorous assessment of college level quantitative reasoning skills, including logic, algebra, geometry, complex arithmetic, and trigonometry. The CLT offers a meaningful and engaging testing experience, and provides a reliable and comprehensive assessment of a student’s aptitude and achievement.

By taking the CLT or CLT10, Arkansas students:

●      Can share scores directly to CLT’s more than 320 partner colleges and universities at no cost.

●      Connect with hundreds of colleges and universities that share their values.

●      Receive results quickly, within 30 days.

●      Qualify for scholarships, with over $100 million tied to CLT and CLT10 scores annually.

●      Have the opportunity and flexibility to test via our in-school or remotely proctored administration options.

The CLT and CLT10 provide Arkansas students and families with accessible, meaningful assessments supporting their academic growth and college readiness.

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The SAT Suite of Assessments—including the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT10, and PSAT 8/9— measure the reading, writing, and math skills that matter most for success after high school.

Most students take the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 11 to qualify for National Merit Scholarships, but in Arkansas, schools may offer PSAT-related assessments earlier—in grades 9 and 10—to help students track progress and prepare for future opportunities.

Why take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)?

One of the biggest benefits of the PSAT/NMSQT is its connection to the National Merit Scholarship opportunities.

  • Check their academic progress to see how they're developing key skills.
  • Practice for the SAT.
  • Identify AP potential—students receive recommendations for Advanced Placement courses that align with their strengths.
  • Connect to over $300 million in scholarships—many scholarship providers use PSAT/NMSQT scores to identify eligible students.

Taking the PSAT NMSQT in 10th grade is excellent practice and preparation for taking the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade. To support preparation, students have full access to free practice connected to their results.

Why take the SAT?

The SAT is one of the nation's most widely recognized college entrance exams and is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States that require a test score for admission. Through the SAT Suite, Arkansas can track progress over time, connect with scholarships, and strengthen their readiness for college and career.

By participating in the SAT Suite, Arkansas students can:

  • Access free SAT practice resources through College Board's partnership with Khan Academy.
  • Equip teachers with access to actionable student data across the SAT Suite.
  • Qualify for college application fee waivers if eligible.
  • Discover AP courses they're likely to succeed in through AP Potential.
  • Explore postsecondary options using BigFuture tools.

State-Funded Opportunities Under Act 724 of 2025:

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the Arkansas Department of Education will fund College and Career Readiness (CCR) assessments.

  • Students may choose ONE during ninth OR tenth grade:
  • Students may choose ONE during eleventh grade:
  • Districts determine local testing schedules and logistics.

Home School Students:
10th grade homeschool students may participate in the PSAT/NMSQT by indicating interest on their Notice of Intent to Homeschool and coordinating with districts.

Additional Information:

  • Districts may offer additional SAT Suite assessments.
  • More details about CCR assessments under Act 724 can be found on the Arkansas DESE CCR page.

Accelerated Learning is defined in ACCESS and A.C.A § 6-5-1204 as an "organized method of learning that enables a student to meet individual academic goals and graduation requirement while pursuing higher levels of skill development, including without limitation the following coursework:

  1. A College Board pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement course;
  2. An International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme course;
  3. A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education course;
  4. A concurrent credit course; and
  5. A substantially similar course or program approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education."

For more information, please visit the Accelerated Learning webpage.

 

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The Arkansas Civics Exam is a 100 question test which assesses a student's understanding of American government and history. It parallels the 100 Civics (History and Government) questions and answers for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization test.

A.C.A. § 6-16-149 requires students seeking a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma to pas the Arkansas Civics Exam with a score of 60% or better. This requirement begin with the 2018-2019 school year.

Before Testing


Test Administration

After Testing

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offer a copy of the questions in different file formats and languages on their website. Scroll down and look for 100 Civics Questions and Answers in the language that best meets your students' needs. This could be used alongside the Arkansas Civics Exam Study Guide for studying purposes, but the Arkansas Civics Exam must be taken in English.

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During the 2025 Arkansas Legislative Session, ACT 724 was passed requiring all schools to offer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to students in grades 10-12.

The ASVAB is a free, multiple-choice test used by the military to measure verbal, math, and technical skills through subtests such as General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, and Mathematics Knowledge. Scores determine eligibility for various military jobs and help match students to career paths.

In the new Arkansas Letter Grade System, students who earn a score of 31 or higher and complete an H2 Pathway or enlistment will generate points for their school in the Merit and Distinction category.

During the 2025 Arkansas Legislative Session, ACT 724 was passed requiring all schools to offer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to students in grades 10-12.

The ASVAB is a free, multiple-choice test used by the military to measure verbal, math, and technical skills through subtests such as General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, and Mathematics Knowledge. Scores determine eligibility for various military jobs and help match students to career paths.

In the new Arkansas Letter Grade System, students who earn a score of 31 or higher and complete an H2 Pathway or enlistment will generate points for their school in the Merit and Distinction category.