ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP)

In accordance with Texas law, all high schools are required to offer the ASVAB to students in grades 10–12.

While the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is required for enlistment in any branch of the U.S. military, taking the ASVAB CEP does not commit a student to military service and does not require speaking to a recruiter. It is a valuable tool that helps students identify their strengths and explore a wide range of career pathways — both military and civilian.

 

How to Participate

Students interested in taking the ASVAB should contact the College and Career Readiness (CCR) Advisor on campus for more information about testing opportunities.

 

Learn More and Prepare

• Click HERE to learn more about the ASVAB CEP and what to expect.
• March2Success is a free online prep platform that helps students improve performance on standardized tests including the ASVAB, SAT, ACT, and state assessments.

The ACT and SAT are standardized tests widely used by American college admissions as ONE component for assessment of an applicant's readiness for university studies. Most colleges accept scores from either or both exams. In addition, the scores are sometimes used to determine awards of scholarships and grants. 

SAT: www.collegeboard.org

• A minimum score of 530 on the Mathematics test for a TSI exemption in math (no combined score required);
• A minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) for a TSI exemption in both reading and writing (no combined score required)

Students must attend college within five (5) years from the date of the test in order to use the scores for an exemption.

ACT: www.act.org

A student must achieve a combined score of 40 on the English and Reading (E + R) tests to be exempt for both the reading and writing or ELAR sections of the TSI Assessment. A score of 22 on the mathematics test shall be exempt from the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. 

Fee waivers can be approved for students currently enrolled in 11th or 12th grade AND approved for services under the School Lunch program.

Fee Waiver requests will be processed within 2-3 business days. Be mindful of registration deadlines when making your request and leave plenty of time for processing. When your waiver is approved you will receive email notification and the code needed.

WAIVERS MAY NOT BE USED TO PAY FOR ANY ADDITIONAL FEES, PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES!

To request a fee waiver, please visit with Ms. Adams in Room 402, or send her an email at andrea.adams@fortbendisd.gov

SAT

An SAT Fee Waiver lets you take:

• two free SAT exams (with or without essay),
• six free SAT Subject Tests,
• and receive two Question-an-Answer Service or Student Answer Service reports.
• Students who use an SAT fee waiver also get free unlimited score sends, waived application fees at select colleges, and unlimited CSS Profile application fee waivers to apply for financial aid.
• Waivers may NOT be used for late registration fee; additional college choices; standby fee; test date, test option, or test center change fees
• The waiver is used once the student registers, submits a standby request, or is approved for special testing, even if the student does not test on the requested test date. 
• The fee waiver also entitles the student to four additional flexible score reports and a $40 discount off the regular price of The Official SAT Online Course
• six free SAT Subject Tests,
• and receive two Question-an-Answer Service or Student Answer Service reports
• Students who use an SAT fee waiver also get free unlimited score sends, waived application fees at select colleges, and unlimited CSS Profile application fee waivers to apply for financial aid.

 

WAIVERS DO NOT WAIVE FEES FOR OTHER COLLEGE BOARD PROGRAMS, LIKE ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS!

Also, if you register for the SAT and then need to change your test date you will be charged a fee as the fee waiver does not cover these changes. Additionally, you will have to pay a fee for rushed scores or receiving scores over the phone.

ACT 

• Eligible students can receive a maximum of TWO separate ACT waivers, which covers the registration fee for either the ACT or ACT with Writing.
• Waivers may NOT be used for late registration fee; additional college choices; standby fee; test date, test option, or test center change fees
• The waiver is used once the student registers, submits a standby request, or is approved for special testing, even if the student does not test on the requested test date.  
• The waiver covers up to six college score reports (at the time of registration).
• After registration, the student can request up to an additional 20 regular score reports for free.
• Additional benefits include:
  • Access to Test Prep Tools and access to ACT Kaplan Online Prep Live

 

 

All 10th & 11th graders are automatically registered for the PSAT and/or PSAT/NMSQT.

 Upcoming Test Date(s):

Sophomores & Juniors: October 2nd 2025

 How a student performs on the PSAT is a good indicator of how that same student will perform on the SAT exam.

PSAT scores can be linked with a student's Khan Academy account to personalize the free SAT Test Prep that Khan Academy offers.

 Students and parents can learn more about the PSAT and how to interpret scores received by viewing:

PSAT 8/9

PSAT 10

PSAT 11/NMSQT 

The PSAT/NMSQT is the only qualifying test for the  National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). For more information, visit www.nationalmerit.org. 

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The College Board National Recognition Programs celebrate the academic excellence of students from historically underrepresented communities. These prestigious awards help students stand out in the college admissions process by connecting them with universities and scholarship opportunities nationwide.

Students who earn this recognition will receive an official certificate and have their achievement shared with colleges and scholarship organizations.

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NMSQT stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test 

This exam, taken during the junior year, serves as the official qualifying test for entry into the National Merit Scholarship Program. 

 Why It Matters

Students who achieve top scores may be eligible for:

• National Merit® Scholarships
• Significant merit-based scholarships from many colleges and universities across the country

 Who Qualifies?

• Only the junior-year PSAT qualifies students for National Merit consideration.
• Participating schools will receive notification if they have any qualifying students.

Two types of recognition lists are sent to schools:

• National Merit Semifinalists
• National Merit Commended Students

 Important Note About Score Reports

Students whose PSAT score reports have an asterisk (*) next to the Selection Index on CollegeBoard.org are ineligible for National Merit consideration, regardless of their score.

 

Need Help or Have Questions?

Contact the National Merit Scholarship Corporation directly:

• Phone: 847-866-5161 (recommended for fastest response)
• Email: mscholarshipadmin@nmerit.net

 Award Categories

Eligible students may be recognized in one or more of the following categories:

• National African American Recognition Award (NAARA)
• National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA)
• National Indigenous Recognition Award (NIRA)
• National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award (NRSTA)

 Who’s Eligible?

To qualify, students must:

• Take eligible College Board assessments (PSAT/NMSQT in 10th or 11th grade, or eligible AP exams)
• Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher (unweighted)
• Identify as one or more of the following:
  • African American or Black
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Indigenous or Native (including Alaska Native or Native American)
  • Attend a high school in a rural area or small town (as defined by NCES)

 When & How to Qualify

• Recognition is available to 10th-grade students (rising juniors) and 11th-grade students (rising seniors)
• No separate application is required
• Eligible students will be notified by email from College Board, typically in the late summer before their junior or senior year

 Why It Matters

Being selected for a National Recognition Program is a valuable addition to college applications and helps students gain visibility among colleges and scholarship providers actively seeking diverse, high-achieving students.