ACT, SAT, EXPLORE, PLAN, PSAT and ASVAB Tests and Preparation

            ACT Benchmark Scores for Kentucky College and Universities

"ACT developed College Readiness Benchmarks in English, mathematics, science and reading, with research indicating that students who reach the levels have a high probability of earning a C grade or higher in certain credit-bearing first-year college courses. The benchmark scores are:

       18 or higher on the ACT English Test

       22 or higher on the ACT Math Test

       21 or higher on the ACT Reading Test

       24 or higher on the ACT Science Test

Many Kentucky colleges and universities use ACT scores to inform admissions decisions and to place students in appropriate college courses."  If a student does not reach the benchmark score, KY colleges and universities will require
a student to take a placement test to determine which college course to placethe student in. (Some info taken from www.act.org)



 
         ACT TEST DATES 2010-2011    
     www.actstudent.org
  
  (You may also go to the 'Links' section to link to this site)

When registering for the ACT test, you can choose to purchase a copy of your test. This allows you to check the questions you missed to help improve your score when you re-take the test. You must order this when registering for the test.


TEST DATE
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
LATE REGISTRATION 
 Sept. 11, 2010
August 6, 2010
August 7 - 20, 2010
 Oct. 23, 2010
 September 17, 2010
Sept. 18 - Oct. 1, 2010
 Dec. 11, 2010
November 5, 2010
 November 6 - 19, 2010
 Feb. 12, 2011
January 7, 2011
 January 8 - 21, 2011
 April 9, 2011
 March 4, 2011
March 5 - 18, 2011
 June 11, 2011
May 6, 2011
May 7 - 20, 2011


         SAT TEST DATES 2010-2011    
   
www.collegeboard.com
(You may also go to the 'Links' section to link to this site)

The SAT Question and Answer Service is available for Oct., Jan., and May tests.  See registration information for info.

           
2010-11
Test Dates
TestU.S. Registration Deadlines
RegularLate
(a fee applies)
October 9, 2010 SAT &
Subject Tests
September 10, 2010 September 24, 2010
November 6, 2010 SAT &
Subject Tests
October 8, 2010 October 22, 2010
December 4, 2010 SAT &
Subject Tests
November 5, 2010 November 19, 2010
January 22, 2011 SAT &
Subject Tests
December 23, 2010 January 7, 2011
March 12, 2011 SAT only February 11, 2011 February 25, 2011
May 7, 2011 SAT &
Subject Tests
April 8, 2011
April 22, 2011
June 4, 2011 SAT &
Subject Tests
May 6, 2011
May 20, 2011




ACT Test Preparation Classes


         OPTION #1

For?  Juniors and Seniors
What?  Martha Gellar Test Prep Courses
Date?  3 sets of class options for SAT/PSAT and 4 sets of class options for
ACT - depends on which set of classes you choose
Deadline?  until booked or class begins
Location?  Depends on which set of classes you choose.  
Register?  Call 513-984-9057; satteach@one.net

         OPTION # 2

For?  Juniors and Seniors
What? SMARTER Learning Systems Test Preparation Classes and Private Tutoring
Location?  SMARTER Learning Systems, Ft. Mitchell, KY
Register?  859-341-7326

         OPTION # 3

For?  high school students
What? ACT Test Prep through ACT Boot Camp
Location?  Ft. Thomas, KY
Info?  www.theactbootcamp.com or call Mark @ 513-549-6776

         OPTION # 4
For?  Juniors and Seniors
What? ACT Test Prep through Northern Kentucky University
Location?  NKU Covington Campus
Info?  Call NKU community Education for information

         OPTION # 5
For?  High School Students
What?  ACT / SAT test prep - individual tutoring
Location?  Huntington Learning Centers
Register?  call Huntington Learning Center
Fee?  depends on the services you choose

          OPTION # 6
For?  any student
What?  Kaplan ACT or SAT QuizBank
How?  Sign up for your free ACT or SAT QuizBank today




          WHY ARE THE ACT/SAT TESTS REQUIRED? 
(taken from nextSTEPmag)


     "Colleges require standardized college admission entrance tests to help predict applicants' success in the first year of college.  A standardized test provides a national assessment tool that is not influenced by differences in high school curriculums and grading standards across the nation.  Most colleges don't care which test you take, despite the fact that
the SAT and ACT are fundamentally different assessments."



          HOW ARE THE ACT AND SAT DIFFERENT?  
(taken from nextSTEPmag)


     "EXAM LENGTH:  The SAT is 3 hours and 45 min. with a mandatory writing section.  The ACT is 3 hours and 25 min. with an optional essay section."

     "SCIENCE:  The ACT includes a science section.  There is no science section on the SAT."

     "SUBJECTS TESTED:  The SAT tests a student's problem-solving ability independent of high school curricula.  The ACT is a subject knowledge test with questions based on what you should learn in high school."

     "POINT DEDUCTION:  One important difference between the SAT and the ACT is the deduction of a quarter of a point for incorrect answers on the SAT (except for grid-in math problems).  The ACT does not penalize for incorrect
answers, so its format encourages educated guessing."

     SECTIONS ON EACH TEST:  The SAT is divided into three sections:  Verbal, Math and Writing.  The ACT is divided into four sections:  English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning with an optional Writing section.


                   
THE NO-TEST OPTION
(taken from nextSTEPmag)

     "Your standardized test decision isn't limited to ACT vs. SAT.  There are now more than 760 four-year colleges that are test optional, with more colleges and universities joining the list every year.  If you want to find out which colleges are test optional, go to www.FairTest.org."


                            
The PSAT/NMSQT
 for Junior Students

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).  It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
                         
The PSAT test measures:
>critical reading skills
>math problem-solving skills
>writing skills
This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes.

The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:
>to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.

>to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.

>to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).

>to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.

>to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.
(*Information taken from the College Board web-site)


                               
The ASVAB Test
for Junior Students

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is made up of verbal, math, and technical tests. Your score is one of the main factors determining what jobs will be available to you.  A career / interest inventory test.



                                  The PLAN Test
                        for Sophomore Students


A.  PLAN Test Sections   
 
>English 50 items 30 minutes
>Mathematics 40 items 40 minutes
>Reading 25 items 20 minutes
>Science 30 items 25 minutes

These curriculum-based tests cover the skills and knowledge that are commonly taught in schools and are judged to be important for success in both high school and college. The tests measure what students know and what they are able to do with their knowledge.

B.  Other Components of the Test (approximately 65 minutes)

>Needs Assessment - collects information about students' perceived needs for help

>High School Course and Grade Information - gathers lists of courses completed, currently being taken, or planned for completion before graduation

>UNIACT Interest Inventory - helps students explore personally relevant career options

>Educational Opportunity Service (EOS) - provides relevant college and scholarship information at no cost to students based on their PLAN information.

The content of the PLAN tests is closely tied to that of the achievement tests in the ACT, which is broadly used for college entrance and placement
decisions.
(*Information taken from ACT web-site)



                                The EXPLORE Test
                      for 8th Grade Students

EXPLORE is made up of four academic achievement tests and other components:

A.  EXPLORE Test Sections

>English 40 items 30 minutes
>Mathematics 30 items 30 minutes
>Reading 30 items 30 minutes
>Science   28 items 30 minutes

B.  Additional Components

>Getting Ready for High School and Beyond - Provides helpful information about EXPLORE for students and parents, including practical hints for making a successful transition into high school.
 
>UNIACT Interest Inventory (72 items)- Helps students explore personally relevant career options.

>Needs Assessment - Collects information about students' perceived needs.

>Plans and Background Information - Gathers information about students' school coursework plans, educational and career plans after high school, and other relevant information.

>It's Your Future: A Student's Guide to EXPLORE - Explains the EXPLORE report profile to students and their parents, offering an introduction to ACT's World-of-Work Map, a study skills checklist, and a coursework planner.

The content of the EXPLORE tests is closely tied to that of the achievement tests in the the ACT, which is broadly used for college entrance and placement decisions. It is also consistent with the content of ACT's PLAN program for grade 10.
(*Information taken from ACT web-site)