Students at Narraguagus High School can’t go too far these days without running into an opportunity to practice for the SAT or to get excited about taking the college entrance exam.

Vocabulary words are posted on signs inside and outside the Harrington school. And math and English questions are given over the loudspeaker each day with prizes for correct answers.

Teachers and staff have written inspirational poems, speeches and songs. The athletic director is expected to give a “pep talk” during a rally, much the same way he would before a sporting event.

The school is “promoting a culture where the SAT is supported and where people are getting excited,” said English teacher Brittany Ray, the force behind the project known as “SAT Blitz.”

“Hopefully, this will raise student aspirations and help them prepare for the test and do better,” she said.

Particular attention is being paid to the Scholastic Aptitude Test this year because it is replacing the state’s own Maine Educational Assessment test for judging student progress and is being offered Saturday to all 11th-graders in Maine. Since federal requirements dictate that 95 percent of students participate in statewide testing to prove they’ve met educational standards, school officials want them to show up. And of course they want them to do their best.

So schools statewide have come up with a variety of ways to motivate high school juniors for the approximately five-hour set of math and English exams. Pizza parties, breakfast buffets, additional time off and special privileges are among the incentives. The state not only is footing the bill for the $41 exam, it also is paying for transportation to each school where the tests will be administered.

At Katahdin Middle-High School in Sherman, all 42 juniors have told Principal Rae Bates that they will be on hand. The promise of extra days off likely has something to do with their assurances as well as “knowing that this will be over with in one day,” said Bates, pointing out that the MEA was given over the course of a week.

Houlton High School Principal Marty Bouchard said students who “put forth a good effort” will be allowed beginning in May to leave school during lunch or when they have no assigned classes – privileges typically given only to seniors.

“Kids really appreciate what we’re doing,” he said.

Although the Maine Department of Education’s idea to use the SAT was controversial among the state’s educators, Fort Kent Community High School Principal Tim Doak said he believes many students will try harder because their scores will be used for college admission as well.

“They can see what’s in it for them personally,” he said. “Before, we really had to work hard to get them to take the test seriously.”

In swapping the MEA for the SAT, state education officials had stressed that the change also might get more students thinking about going to college. Only 37 percent of Mainers 25 or older have a college degree, while the New England average is 45 percent.

At Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris, Principal Ted Moccia said the local chamber of commerce is providing a spaghetti luncheon where the school will hand out 40 $250 scholarships through a random drawing.

“Some schools may think of these as gimmicks,” he said, “but there are different ways to motivate people, and if this helps one student seek a postsecondary option who may not have taken the SAT in the past, then it’s a good thing.”

Principal Kevin Grass of Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School in Mars Hill said his school is taking a more low-key approach.

“Winding them up makes them more nervous,” he said.

But Grass said he and the school’s guidance counselor have emphasized to students “the importance of taking the test and the ramifications for them and the school.”

At Hampden Academy, Principal Ruey Yehle hasn’t planned anything special. She wants the students to understand that “this is what we’re expected to do.”

With the state footing the bill for the exam and for transportation to and from school, “what more could you ask for?” she said.

Bangor High School is taking the same approach as it has with the MEA, said Principal Norris Nickerson. “We bring them in and we talk about the importance of making their best effort and try to get them psyched up that way,” he said.

Meanwhile, Narraguagus teacher Brittany Ray said the “SAT Blitz” appears to have paid off.

“I see a real excitement,” she said. Students rush in each morning to find out the question of the day and have fun trying to use the vocabulary words in their everyday conversations.

Sarah Kennedy, president of the school’s National Honor Society, which helped out with the project, said students have been encouraged to practice their math skills and to “read, read, read.”

“Testing is a big responsibility,” said the high school senior who took the SAT last year. “Without support it can seem pretty intimidating.”