Standardized Testing
by Jeff Flott
August 15, 2008
ACT TEST DATES Registration Deadline
September 13, 2008 August 12, 2008
October 25, 2008 September 19, 2008
December 13, 2008 November 7, 2008
February 7, 2009 January 6, 2009
April 4, 2009 March 27, 2009
June 13, 2009 May 8, 2009
*register online at www.act.org
**For late registration, a fee is required
***The ACT is not given at Tri-Point. KCC offers the test for all test dates, and PTHS gives the test 3 times a year.
Explore Explore is a test Tri-Point students take in their freshmen year of high school. The test is an introduction to the ACT (but scores are not sent to colleges or universities). As a high school intake measure, EXPLORE gives educators the means to structure high school planning and career exploration for students and parents. It serves as a baseline to monitor academic progress.
PLAN
The PLAN is a test Tri-Point students take in their sophomore year
of high school. The PLAN measures college readiness and contains
additional items that match personal interests with possible career
options. PLAN scores provide an estimate for future ACT scoring,
which may help students prepare for the actual ACT. The PLAN test
will be given to all Sophomores at Tri-Point High School.
PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test)
The PSAT is an option for juniors and sophomores as practice for
taking the SAT. It also determines for junior students, those who
may qualify as National Merit Semifinalists, as well as some
corporate scholarship winners. This test is only given once
in October.
ACT (American College Testing Program)
The ACT is composed of four 35-60 minute tests in the academic
areas of English, mathematics, social studies, reading and science
reasoning. An optional writing assessment has been added and is
required for certain colleges; check the act website or the college
website to determine if you will need this section. The ACT is the
most widely used college entrance exam. If you plan on attending a
4-year university in the Midwest, you will probably need to take
this test. The ACT is offered three times a year at Pontiac High
School and other times at different test centers. The basic fee is
$30.
PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Exam)
The PSAE is a state-mandated test as well as a graduation
requirement that will be given to all juniors. The test assesses
student progress toward meeting the Illinois learning standards in
three subjects: reading, mathematics, and science. The exam is
taken on two consecutive days. On the first day students take the
ACT assessment (in which scores may be submitted to colleges), and
on the second day students take the Work Keys Assessment.
SAT
This three hour and 35-minute test, administered by the College
Board, measures critical reading and mathematical reasoning,
language usage and writing. Each of the three areas is reported as
part of the top score of 800. Although historically this test was
preferred by institutions in the Eastern states and California,
most institutions now accept either the SAT or the ACT.
AP (Advance Placement Tests)
These are high school examinations based on college level courses.
Placement scores may earn college credit at some universities.
