Prairie State Achievement Examination

The Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) is a two-day standardized test taken by all High School Juniors in Illinois. On the first day, students take the ACT, and on the second day, a WorkKeys examination and Illinois State Board of Education-developed science examination. . It has been required for all Illinois High School Students since 2001.

Areas of Assesment
The PSAE attempts to assess students on the following areas :
 * Math
 * Reading
 * Science
 * Writing

General
A student is required to take the PSAE to achieve a high school Diploma, unless he or she meets one of the following requirements :
 * The student’s Individualized Education Program is incompatible with the PSAE, and the test cannot be modified to comply. In this case, the student takes the Illinois Alternate Assessment instead.
 * The student not proficient in English. In this case the student takes the Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English instead.
 * The student is enrolled in an alternative Education program, including an adult education program, or high school equivalency certificates.

2006-2007 School Year
A student may be exempted from the 2006-2007 school year examination if he or she meets one of the following requirements:
 * The student has taken the ACT after freshman year and achieved reportable scores.
 * The student is a Senior and fulfils one of the following requirements:
 * has taken alternative testing
 * was eligible for a medical exemption during the 2005-2006 examination
 * was incarcerated during both the 2006-2007 and 2005-2006 examinations.
 * is a transfer student transferring after May 1, 2006.