PLAN – THE PREPARATORY ACT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011

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 , 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?