High school test scores are used for postsecondary planning. 

High school students can use their Smarter Balanced test scores to guide them in preparing for college or career training. Educators use Smarter Balanced test scores to ensure students have the support they need during high school to be successful in their postsecondary pathway of choice. Students can use their Smarter Balanced test scores to help them decide which courses to take in grades 11 and 12. 

• Level 3 or 4: Students are prepared and on track for college. Students should be encouraged to enroll in dual credit or the next most rigorous advanced course offered by their high school.
• Level 2: Students are not quite on track for college. Students should be encouraged to enroll in a Bridge to College course; or another course in math or English Language Arts designed to give students an intense, year-long learning experience that leads to college readiness. 
• Level 1: Students are not yet on track for college. They will need additional, personalized support in high school do develop their postsecondary pathway. Students may need to take pre-college (remedial) courses when they enter college. 

Colleges use high school test scores to place students in college-level courses. 

Over 250 colleges are using Smarter Balanced test scores as evidence that students are ready for college-level work. All 34 of Washington's public community and technical colleges have agreed to consider Smarter Balanced test scores when deciding whether or not students need to take pre-college (remedial) courses. High school graduates who meet the following requirements can skip pre-college (remedial) courses and place directly into entry-level college courses.

• Score a three or four on the 11th grade Smarter Balanced assessment.
  • Community and technical colleges have extended this agreement to students who enroll in dual credit courses as high school seniors.
  • Washington's public baccalaureates have extended this agreement to the graduating classes of 2018 and 2019.
• Take appropriate senior-year English and quantitative (math) coursework.
• Enroll in college in the academic year immediately following high school graduation.  

Schools may require additional placement testing to determine the most appropriate entry-level courses.   

Students who believe they have lost tuition and fees as the result of unfair business practices by institutions authorized by WSAC can file a student complaint. Complaints must be filed by the student or his/her guardian no later than one year from the last date.

Bridge courses create more opportunities for students who score at a level two. 

Many high schools are offering Bridge to College courses in math and English Language Arts. These are one-year intensive courses designed to get students college- and career-ready by the time they graduate from high school. High school graduates who meet the following requirements can still skip pre-college (remedial) courses and place directly into entry-level college courses at all 34 of Washington's public and community technical colleges and Eastern Washington University.

• Score a level two on the Smarter Balanced test. 
• Complete a Bridge to College course with a "B" grade or better. 

These courses are new and may not be offered yet at your high school. A list of participating high schools is on OSPI's website.