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 place
the student in. (Some info taken from www.act.org)
ACT TEST DATES 2009-2010
www.actstudent.org (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 and pay for this when
registering for the test.
Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration - Fee
Required
September 12, 2009 Aug. 7, 2009 Aug. 8-21,09
October 24, 2009 September 18, 2009 September 19-October 2, 2009
December 12, 2009 November 6, 2009 November 7-20, 2009
February 6, 2010 January 5, 2010 January 6-15, 2010
April 10, 2010 March 5, 2010 March 6-19, 2010
June 12, 2010 May 7, 2010 May 8-21, 2010
SAT TEST DATES 2009-2010
www.collegeboard.com (Go to the 'Links' section to link to this site)
The SAT Question and Answer Service is available for the Oct., Jan., and May
tests. See registration information for more details.
Test Dates Registration Deadline Late Fee Required
October 10, 2009 Sep. 9, 2009 Sep. 10-23, 2009
November 7, 2009 Oct. 1, 2009 Oct. 2-15, 2009
December 5, 2009 Oct. 30, 2009 Oct. 31-Nov. 12, 2009
January 23, 2010 Dec. 15, 2009 Dec. 16-30, 2009
March 13, 2010 Feb. 4, 2010 Feb. 5-18, 2010
May 1, 2010 March 25, 2010 March 26-Apr. 8, 2010
June 5, 2010 April 29, 2010 April 30-May 13, 2010
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 or Registration papers
available from Mrs. Dickens
Fee? $285
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
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 FairTest.org."
The PSAT/NMSQT Test
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. Achievement Tests
>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. Achievement Tests
>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)
