Testing Information and Resources
Each year District 86 administers various assessments that are required by the State of Illinois as well as assessments that students and families may elect to take. For each assessment listed below, an individual communication will be sent to all families and students who will be taking the assessment. All dates below are subject to change and revision based on ISBE assessment calendar decisions and/or District 86 calendar revisions. Use the following links to view the D86 School Calendar the ISBE Assessment Date Overview.
District 86 School Day Assessments
Pre-ACT
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Intended Audience: Students in Grades 9-11
Administered on an all-school testing day for grades 9-11 students to take a practice ACT exam.
Eligible grade 12 students can test at both campuses on the same day as district-wide testing for students in grades 9-11. Grade 12 students are otherwise not in attendance. Use the following link to Learn More About the Seal of Biliteracy in D86.
PSAT/NMSQT
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Intended Audience: Optional for Students in Grade 11
Students will need to opt-in to take the exam, which is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Intended Audience: Optional for Students in Grade 11
Students will need to opt-in to take the exam, which is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
All Multilingual students will complete the four-part ACCESS test. This test is required even if students are not enrolled in a Multilingual course.
ACT
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Intended Audience: Grades 11 students
Grade 11 students will take the state-mandated ACT.
DLM
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Intended Audience: State-mandated for Grades 9-11 student who qualify
This exam is only for students who qualify in lieu of the ACT assessment.
Pre-ACT
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Intended Audience: Students in Grades 9-10
Grade 9-10 students will take the state-mandated Pre-ACT.
AP Testing
Date: May 4-15, 2026
Date: May 4-15, 2026
Intended Audience: Students in Grades 9-12 who elect to test
Students who elect to take an AP test will test on their designated testing day as determined by the College Board. Students electing to test must register by the registration deadline.
District 86 Hosted National Assessments
SAT
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025; Saturday, March 14, 2026
Location: Hinsdale Central
Intended Audience: Optional for Students in Grades 11 and 12
School-based testing dates for D86 students electing to take the SAT, with accommodations if needed.
ACT
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Location: Hinsdale Central
Intended Audience: Optional for Students in Grades 11 and 12
School-based testing dates for D86 students electing to take the ACT, with accommodations if needed.