Assessment Overview Video
See an overview of Davidson Academy Online's academic readiness assessment for both full-time and and single-course applicants.
The academic readiness assessment is a crucial part of how we determine whether Davidson Academy Online will be a good fit for applicants. This curriculum-based measurement offers a strong indication of an applicant’s likelihood of success at Davidson Academy Online. Since the assessment reflects the daily work of Davidson Academy Online students, it provides information beyond that which can be gleaned from standardized achievement and IQ tests. IQ tests reflect potential, which is of great importance, but academic readiness is about determining which skill sets are already in place. Therefore, the results of this assessment are a significant part of the overall acceptance process.
Students who meet or exceed the published Eligibility Criteria will be invited to complete assessment activities online through our learning management and video conferencing systems.
The academic readiness assessment takes place over a consecutive Thursday and Friday and is conducted online through our learning management system and video conferencing platforms. Students should plan to spend around 11 hours on the assessment activities over the two-day window.
The academic readiness assessment consists of several components designed to gauge where applicants are performing in relation to the Davidson Academy Online curriculum. Knowing applicants' skill levels across subject areas allows the admissions team to determine whether applicants can place into all the courses needed for an on-time graduation. For more details, please review the tasks and video below.
Applicants take timed, multiple-choice critical reading, science reasoning, and math mastery exams in our learning management system. These can be completed during any non-live session time.
During the Thursday live session, applicants read and respond to a short story individually and then discuss the short story as a group.
During the Thursday session, applicants receive instruction on composing a literary analysis essay and write a rough draft. In the Friday live session, applicants revise their essays based on instructor feedback.
Applicants meet with a member of the Davidson Academy Online admissions team for a conversation about their educational goals and interests during the Friday live session.
Applicants complete a self-assessment designed to estimate their readiness for learning in the online format. This self-assessment is viewed as supplemental to an application and can be completed during any non-live session time.
See an overview of Davidson Academy Online's academic readiness assessment for both full-time and and single-course applicants.
Completed applications will be reviewed within four weeks of receipt. Applicants who meet posted eligibility criteria will be offered the next available assessment dates.
Applicants for single-course English complete the full writing assessment, critical reading exam, student interview, and online learning readiness self-assessment.
Applicants for single-course Geometry complete the Algebra I math exam, student interview, and online learning readiness self-assessment.
See our Single-Course Enrollments page for more information.
The admissions team reviews applicants' assessment materials in relation to grade-based skill expectations for Davidson Academy Online students. For example, an applicant for the ninth grade must be able to place into at least all Davidson Academy Online ninth grade courses in order to be able to graduate on time.
The best preparation is to take challenging courses in core subject areas that encourage academic writing and critical thinking.
The academic readiness assessment is one part of the application process. After the academic readiness assessment, the admissions team completes a final review of the application and emails a decision letter in four weeks.
See our Application Review Process page for more information.