January 12, 2026
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This is a reminder that the Illinois School Board of Education will once again use the ACT as the high school accountability assessment. Batavia High School will administer the ACT to juniors in April and the Pre-ACT to freshmen and sophomores in March. Students are automatically registered for these assessments.
Please note: The ACT for juniors serves as the state’s accountability assessment and is required for graduation in order to receive a high school diploma. All juniors must take the ACT in April, even if they have already taken the ACT on a national testing date.
Key testing dates for BHS students are as follows:
- Juniors: ACT with Essay – April 22, 2026
- Sophomores: PreACT – March 18, 2026
- Freshmen: PreACT 9 – March 18, 2026
To help students prepare, BHS will host an optional practice ACT free of charge on March 14th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. This practice session will include all ACT subject areas—English, Math, Reading, and Science—with the exception of the Writing portion with the goals of:
- Familiarize students with ACT-style questions.
- Introduce the Desmos calculator and other testing platform features.
- Help students practice the pacing of the ACT.
How to Register: Students can sign up here by March 1st. While the practice ACT is primarily intended for juniors, freshmen and sophomores are welcome to participate if they would like to gain early exposure to the ACT. Please note that seats are limited, and priority will be given to juniors.
Additionally, please be aware of the resources available to your students to help with their preparation:
MasteryPrep: Batavia High School is excited to share that all students (freshmen to juniors) will have access to MasteryPrep, a comprehensive ACT preparation program designed to build skills, confidence, and readiness for the exam.
- MasteryPrep provides students with targeted practice in English, mathematics, reading, and science. Some BHS courses will incorporate MasteryPrep activities during class time this year as part of the curriculum, while students also have the option to access the program at home for additional practice and preparation. This access allows students the flexibility to review lessons, complete practice tests, and strengthen their skills at their own pace. MasteryPrep is available to students through their Chromebook apps, and most juniors have already been using it during class at BHS.
Additional ACT Prep Resources
- Varsity Tutors: Varsity Tutors offers a comprehensive set of tools to help students prepare for the ACT. The platform provides full-length practice exams covering all test sections—English, Reading, Math, and Science—allowing students to become familiar with the test format and timing.
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- Students can also access embedded flashcards in a variety of subjects, including reading, writing, grammar, algebra, biology, and physics, to support focused review. A standout feature is the “Learn by Concept” tool, which allows students to answer practice questions and view detailed explanations for each response, reinforcing understanding of key topics.
- For targeted practice, students can focus on specific ACT sections, such as English or Math, and even create custom flashcards for a more personalized study experience. Additionally, students who would like extra support can connect with a tutor directly through the app for one-on-one ACT prep assistance. Learn how to sign up for Varsity Tutors
- Online ACT Resources: A variety of free online resources—including test-taking tips, practice tests, and study guides—are available through the following sites:
Our goal is to ensure every student feels confident and prepared for the ACT in April. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Bob Dietz
Associate Principal