College Prep Handbook
EXPLORE: All freshmen take ACT’s EXPLORE Assessment Test in October. EXPLORE is a pre-ACT assessment, administered to 8th and 9th graders. EXPLORE also includes an inventory of work-relevant abilities and an interest survey.
PLAN: Sophomores take ACT’s comprehensive assessment test, PLAN, in October. PLAN includes four tests: English, Math, Reading and Science, and an interest inventory. This test, in addition to helping students assess their strengths and weaknesses, provides a range of predicted ACT scores. The test is administered at Trinity in October.
PSAT: All students take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) their freshman, sophomore and junior year in October. The PSAT contains three sections: critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills. High scoring juniors may be recognized as National Merit Scholars based on their junior year scores. The PSAT is a good practice test for the SAT I.
SAT I and ACT: Juniors should take the ACT and SAT once or twice second semester of the junior year and again in the fall of the senior year. In most cases, scores improve after the second or third time. The new SAT I (effective Mar. 2005) is a reasoning test that consists of three sections: critical reading (short and long reading passages and sentence completion questions), math (through Algebra II), and a writing section (requiring them to write an essay taking a position on an issue and using examples to support their position). Each section is worth 800 points (highest possible score-2400). The ACT covers four academic subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The highest possible score is a 36. There is also an optional writing test that will be offered effective Feb. 2005. At the present time, most colleges are not requiring the ACT writing test. Before sitting for either exam, familiarize yourself with the format and content of each test. (even if you choose not to do any other preparation). Work on weaknesses indicated on your PLAN, practice ACT and PSAT test results. Although many southern and mid-western schools prefer the ACT, most will also accept the SAT I. Students tend to perform better on one or the other, so you increase your chances of success by taking both. Trinity requires all students to take the ACT.
SAT II Subject Tests: Some selective schools require SAT II subject tests. If so, take the tests as soon as you complete your study in that subject area. Subject tests are one-hour tests offered on the same days as the SAT. You may take up to three tests on one day. You may NOT take the SAT I and a subject test on the same day. College credit may be given based on your scores.