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WHAT IS THE PLAN?

• ACT is a college entrance exam used to compare students

• PLAN is a practice version of the ACT

• Ninth grade students take PLAN on October 12

• In Spring of Junior year or Fall of Senior year, high school students can take the ACT

• All costs for PLAN testing are covered by the school

WHY TAKE THE PLAN?• Students who take PLAN do better on the ACT

• It helps:•Measure your current academic development• Explore career/training options•Make plans for the remaining years of high school and post-graduation years

• In December counselors will come back to College Readiness class with results and to show students how they can use their results

• The PLAN is not for a grade! It is only to get practice and help you see where you need help. Your scores are private and only you, your counselor, and your parent/ guardian will see them.

SAT VS. ACT• The SAT and ACT are two very different college

entrance exams.

•  Both are nationally administered and are used to help colleges evaluate applicants. 

• The SAT is a three-part aptitude test (Reading, Math, Writing)

• The ACT is more of an achievement test with four core sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) and an optional Writing section. 

• Many colleges will accept either test or both exams. 

• SAT penalizes for wrong answers, ACT does not

• SAT scoring is from 600-2400, ACT is from 1-36

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Student Information (60-75 minutes)

• 4 Multiple Choice Tests

• English (30 minutes)

• Mathematics (30 minutes)

• Reading (20 minutes)

• Science (25 minutes)

• We will hand-out and try practice problems during Advisory on September 30.

SCORING/GUESSING/STRATEGIES

• No penalty for guessing – Be sure to answer all questions

• Try to narrow down choices

• Follow directions exactly, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

• Mark your answer folder carefully. Fill in the ovals neatly.

• Don't spend too much time on any single question. For hard ones, choose the answer you think is best and move on.

• Get plenty of sleep the night before the test.

WHAT TO BRING

• We have ordered pencils and calculators for all students. It is good to get in a habit of bringing your own materials if you have them.

• ACT recommends:

• three sharpened soft-lead (No. 2) pencils with good erasers

• a watch to pace yourself (no beepers, please)

• calculator for the math test (optional)

QUESTIONS

Are there any questions?