Keystone Testing

By the end of 11th grade, all Shippensburg High School students must take Keystone Exams in Algebra, Biology, and Literature.
Students who score Proficient or Advanced (above 1500) on all three exams will meet the state graduation requirements set by Act 158.

Questions regarding Keystone Exams need to be directed to Mr. Flohr.

When Do Students Take Keystone Exams?
Keystone Exams are given after students finish the related courses:

  • Algebra Keystone: after completing the Algebra Quad course
  • Biology Keystone: after Biology or Honors Biology
  • Literature Keystone: after Honors Mastering Literature 10, Academic Mastering Literature 10, or Mastering Literature 10

 

2025–2026 Keystone Testing Dates
There are two Keystone testing windows at the high school:

Winter Testing Window

  • Main testing days: January 8–9, 2026
    • We are operating on a 2-hour delay schedule on these days.
      • Students who are testing: Report at your normal time.
      • Students not testing: May arrive at 9:25 AM.
      • If you ride a district bus or van, come at your usual time and report to Study Hall in the auditorium.
      • Career Tech, College Classes, and Work-Based Learning: Students that are not testing must follow their regular schedule.
  • Make-up/additional exams (for students taking more than one): January 12–15, 2026

Spring Testing Window

  • Main testing days: May 11–12, 2026
    • We are operating on a 2-hour delay schedule on these days.
      • Students who are testing: Report at your normal time.
      • Students not testing: May arrive at 9:25 AM.
      • If you ride a district bus or van, come at your usual time and report to Study Hall in the auditorium.
      • Career Tech, College Classes, and Work-Based Learning: Students that are not testing must follow their regular schedule.
  • Make-up/additional exams (for students taking more than one): May 13–22, 2026

Dear Parent/Guardian:

In an era of cell phones, smartphones and other electronic devices which can easily photograph and instantly share photographs, confidential and secure test materials can be easily compromised. Not only is it expensive to replace a compromised test item, the material contained in the PSSA and Keystone Exams is copyrighted property of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Copying or duplicating the material from the assessment, including the taking of a photograph, is a violation of the federal Copyright Act. Penalties for violations of the Copyright Act may include the cost of replacing the compromised test item(s) or fines of no less than $750 up to $30.000 for a single violation. 17 U.S.C. § 101.

In order to ensure reliable test results and to avoid the cost of replacing test items, the Department of Education requires schools to set rules and take certain steps to protect test materials. One step or rule required in all schools is that electronic devices are not permitted at test sites. Electronic devices include cell phones, smartphones, E-readers, Nooks, Kindles, iPads, iPods, tablets, camera-ready devices, and any other electronic device which can be used to photograph or duplicate test materials, access the internet and/or communicate with others during the administration of the PSSA or Keystone Exams. Please speak with your child and let him or her know that the possession and/or use of a cell phone or other electronic device during the administration of the PSSA or Keystone Exams will result in certain consequences.

If a student is discovered using and/or having a cell phone or other electronic device in his or her possession during the administration of the PSSA or Keystone Exams, you will be contacted by the school. Students that ignore this directive will be subject to the school's discipline policy and the Department of Education's requirement that the student's test will not be scored and the student will be required to retake the entire exam. In addition, the electronic device will be held by school staff and the device's stored photographs will be searched. School staff will also ask for permission to search other functions of the electronic device. If a photograph of the PSSA or Keystone Exam is discovered or if permission to search other functions of the electronic device is refused, the device will be held by the school staff and, because the Pennsylvania Department of Education holds the copyright to all material contained within the PSSA and Keystone Exams, the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be contacted.

If, after testing is complete and test materials have been returned, it is discovered that a student used and/or had a cell phone or other electronic device in his or her possession during the administration of the test, the school's discipline policy will be followed and the student's scores will be invalidated.


AP Testing

Students that are currently enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) class(es) are eligible to demonstrate their understanding of the course through a course-specific exam.  It is not required for students to take the AP exam as part of their class.

In AP Classroom, each student’s default exam status is set to “Undecided.”

By September 25, students must:

  1. Log in to their College Board account

  2. Go to each AP course

  3. Change their testing status to “Yes” if they plan to take the AP Exam

Once a student selects “Yes,” they will receive a personalized message from APTS—our school’s digital partner for AP Exam fee collection.

If you have any questions regarding your AP exams, ask your teacher or reach out to Mr. Flohr

APTS is Shippensburg Area Senior High School’s partner for collecting AP Exam fees. If you are enrolled in a first-semester or full-year AP course, please follow the standard payment timeline. If you are taking AP Environmental Science in Semester 2, you will receive a separate invoice, which is due by February 20, 2026.

  • Around September 25, students who selected “Yes” in their College Board account will receive an electronic invoice from APTS for the AP Exams they plan to take in May.

  • Invoices must be paid in full by October 24, 2025 to complete exam registration.

For more information, please review the informational highlight below or visit the APTS website.
If you have any questions, contact Mr. Flohr.

 

AP Exam Changes, Cancellations & Fees

Please be aware of the following College Board fees related to AP Exam changes:

  • Canceling an exam before February 20, 2026:
    • You may receive a partial refund, but a $40 cancellation fee per exam will be deducted.
  • Ordering an exam after the October 24 deadline:
    • A $40 late fee will be added per exam.
  • Missing an exam (no-show):
    • A $40 unused exam fee will be charged per exam.
  • Changing your exam date to the late testing window:
    • Usually results in a $40 rescheduling fee, in addition to the regular exam fee.
    • You can contact APTS or Mr. Flohr to assist with this process.

For questions about digital and hybrid testing this year, please refer to the College Board website for the most up-to-date information.

Below is the 2026 AP Exam schedule.
Details about testing locations will be shared with students in April.

May 4
8:00 AMBiology
12:00 PMMicroeconomics
May 5
8:00 AMChemistry
12:00 PMUS Gov't & Politics
May 6
8:00 AMEnglish Literature & Composition
12:00 PMComparative Gov't & Politics
May 7
8:00 AMPhysics
8:00 AMWorld History: Modern
May 8
8:00 AMUS History
12:00 PMMacroeconomics
May 11
8:00 AM
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
May 1212:00 PMPsychology
May 138:00 AMEnglish Language & Composition
May 14
8:00 AMArt History
12:00 PMComputer Science Principles
May 158:00 AMEnvironmental Science

 


College Admission Testing

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is now offered in a digital format!

The PSAT is more than just SAT practice—it can help students qualify for the National Merit Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities.

  • Who can take it? Students in grades 9–11

  • Who should take it? It is strongly encouraged for all college-bound juniors

  • Test Date: October 16, 2025

  • Time: 7:45 AM – 10:30 AM

  • Location: Cafeteria

To participate, students must register by September 3 using this site.

If you have questions, please contact your Mrs. Debias.

The SAT will be held at SASHS on March 14, 2026.  To register, log into your College Board account and complete the required steps by February 27, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact your counselor.

ASVAB Testing

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a standardized test that helps identify strengths and potential career paths in the military.

Students interested in military service are strongly encouraged to take the ASVAB, starting as early as 10th grade.

For more information or to sign up, please contact your school counselor.

The ASVAB is offered once per year at Shippensburg High School. This year, the free exam will be administered on October 15, 2025, in the cafeteria.

Students interested in taking the ASVAB should complete this form to sign up.

If you have questions, please contact your school counselor.