STANDARDIZED TESTING PROGRAM

Transcription

1 STANDARDIZED TESTING PROGRAM REAVIS HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 220 Understanding the ACT, Advanced Placement, ASVAB, EXPLORE, PLAN, PSAE, PSAT, SAT, and Work Keys Examinations Fall 2010

2 Testing at Reavis High School The following information is intended to provide a brief overview of the tests offered or recommended by Reavis High School. The information in this booklet is accurate as of the printing of this document and is subject to change. Exact test dates and registration deadlines are available in the Guidance Office and on the Reavis website at Deadlines designated by Reavis High School are used to establish a roster in a timely manner, hire staff, reserve rooms and purchase materials in order to administer the exams. If you have questions concerning the tests in this booklet, please call the Guidance Office at ext. 208 or ext Sincerely, The Reavis High School Guidance Department Alicia Romig (A-Cla) ext. 205 Rachael Pearson (Clb-Gui) ext. 211 Jim Ward (Guj-Lon) ext. 212 Larry Ehretsman (Loo-Orz) ext. 206 Angel Martin (Osa-Smz) ext. 305 Lindsay O Donnell (Sna-Z) ext. 203 Compiled by Angel Martin, Counselor and Testing Coordinator, Reavis High School, Fall

3 Table of Contents Grade 8 EXPLORE Page 3 Grade 9 EXPLORE Page 3 PLAN Page 4 Work Keys Page 7 Grade 10 PLAN Page 4 PSAT Page 5 Practice ACT Page 8 Work Keys Page 7 Grade 11 ACT Page 8 Advanced Placement Exams Page 9 ASVAB Page 10 PSAE Page 6 PSAT Page 5 SAT Page 11 Work Keys Page 7 Grade 12 ACT Page 8 Advanced Placement Exams Page 9 ASVAB Page 10 SAT Page 11 PSAE Page 6 2

4 EXPLORE Grades 8 & 9 The purpose of EXPLORE EXPLORE is administered to freshmen and eighth graders to provide information from which academic growth can be evaluated. This assessment helps students make decisions concerning high school classes and develop career goals. The content of EXPLORE is consistent with the PLAN (please see page 4 for description) and the ACT (please see page 8 for description) assessments. EXPLORE includes achievements tests in English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. EXPLORE scores range from 1 to 25. Students take EXPLORE in eighth grade and again during their freshman year. EXPLORE is administered to freshmen during All-School Testing Day held in the fall. For eighth graders, EXPLORE is offered in late fall on a Saturday and is used as the Freshman Entrance Exam. Cost and testing time EXPLORE EXPLORE is administered to students at no cost to the family. The test can be completed in approximately 2 ½ hours. Eighth grade students from Liberty and Sahs and current freshmen are automatically registered for this assessment. Students should get a good night s sleep before the exam. They should carefully select their answers and review the test if time permits. If a student is absent on a day that the EXPLORE is administered, the student will not receive scores. Students may take EXPLORE only when it is offered here at Reavis. Scores are sent to the school. The student report is given to students at school in their freshmen homerooms. The guidance counselors keep copies of the student report. Go to for more information about EXPLORE. 3

5 PLAN Grades 9 & 10 The purpose of the PLAN test The PLAN test measures skills and abilities in English, math, reading and science, and it also is a useful tool in career exploration. Furthermore, this test includes an interest inventory and provides information about financial aid, scholarships and colleges. Results from the PLAN test can help a student correlate their interests and abilities with the World of Work map, which is included with the score report. PLAN scores range from 1 to 32 and an estimated ACT score will appear on the student score report. All sophomores at Reavis take the PLAN test. Sophomores take the PLAN test during All-School Testing Day in the fall and freshmen take the exam in the spring during the PSAE days. Cost of the PLAN test The fee is paid by Reavis. All freshmen and sophomores are automatically registered to take the PLAN test. Students should be well rested for the test day and closely follow all directions. If a student is absent on a day that the PLAN is administered, the student will not receive scores. The PLAN test is offered twice each year, once for sophomores and once for freshmen. Scores are sent to school. The student report may be mailed home or given to students at school. The guidance counselors keep copies of the student report. Go to for more information. 4

6 PSAT Grades 10 & 11 The purpose of the PSAT The Preliminary SAT measures a student s skills in reading, math and writing. These scores may be used to determine a student s acceptance into college and eligibility for grant scholarships. The PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) for juniors. PSAT scale scores range from 20 to 80. Sophomores and juniors who plan on going to college should take the PSAT. The test is practice for sophomores and is the NMSQT for juniors. Juniors will be notified of their National Merit standing when scores are reported. The PSAT is offered on a Saturday in October at Reavis. Testing time is approximately 2 ½ hours. Cost and testing time of the PSAT The PSAT is approximately $ Checks should be made payable to Reavis High School. (Prices are subject to change). The test takes approximately three hours to complete. Registration is handled through the Guidance Office. Announcements will be made in the fall when registration forms are available. Reavis gives a PSAT Bulletin to each participant that registers to take the PSAT. The Bulletin contains a full length practice test. Students can also go online and take a practice test at If a sophomore misses the PSAT, the student may take the test the following year. Juniors who miss both dates that the test is offered may not retake the PSAT. Students can only take the PSAT once their sophomore year and once their junior year. Scores reports are sent to school. Guidance counselors will talk with students that took the PSAT, reviewing their score report and giving them their original test booklet so that they can go over the questions they may have missed. The counselor keeps a copy of the score report, and all scores appear on the transcript. Go to for more information on the PSAT. 5

7 6 PSAE Grade 11 & 12 The purpose of the PSAE The Prairie State Achievement Examination tests students in reading, math, and science skills. This test measures a student s progress toward meeting the Illinois Learning Standards and recognizes those juniors who receive a Prairie State Achievement Award for excellent performance. Day One of the PSAE will be a state testing date for the ACT assessment. This is considered a regular ACT (see page 8) and students have the option to use the scores for college admission. Day Two is a Work Keys Assessment (see page 7.) All Illinois students are REQUIRED to take the PSAE for graduation. Juniors take the PSAE. Juniors with disabilities may have accommodations made on this assessment as specified in their IEP (Individualized Education Plan). Students must have passed a minimum of 4 semesters of English, 4 semesters of math and have 11 total credits by the beginning of their third year of high school to be classified as a junior. Seniors who have not taken the PSAE will take it April of their senior year. The PSAE is administered during two school days in late April. Cost and testing time of the PSAE The PSAE is offered at no cost to the student. The total testing time is approximately 8 hours. Students do not need to register to take the PSAE. The curriculum at Reavis is in alignment with the Illinois Learning Standards. Mastering the skills set by the state is the best way for students to prepare for the PSAE. All juniors will receive a student guide. Reavis also provides a PSAE Prep course during homerooms for all juniors. For more information on other classes offered in the Burbank area, visit the Guidance Office. ACT also offers a CD-ROM package which includes retired tests. The Reavis Library and have information about the CD-ROM package. If any portion of either day is missed, the student will make up that entire day in May. Students may take the PSAE only once. PSAE scores will be sent to the school and recorded on students transcripts. Scores for the ACT component will be sent directly to students homes. Counselors will receive copies of the PSAE score reports. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education website at for more information about the PSAE and the Illinois Learning Standards.

8 Work Keys Grades 9, 10 & 11 The purpose of the Work Keys Work Keys assessment measures skills that are required in the workplace. These skills include applied math, applied technology, listening, locating information, reading for information, teamwork and writing. Students can use their results from Work Keys to identify careers for which they are qualified and to show employers their abilities. Work Keys scores range from 1 to 7. All juniors will automatically take Work Keys as part of the PSAE. Freshmen and sophomores will also take the Work Keys the second day of the PSAE in late April. Work Keys will be administered during the school day in April along with the PSAE at Reavis. Cost and testing time of the Work Keys The Work Keys assessment is provided at no cost to the student. The testing time is approximately 90 minutes and is part of the PSAE. Students do not need to register for Work Keys. The Work Keys assessment measures basic skills that students cannot study or memorize for the test. Of course, being well rested and eating a good breakfast can help. If any portion of the day is missed, only juniors will make up the entire day in May. Students may take Work Keys once each year. Work Keys scores are part of the PSAE score report. Scores are sent to the school. The student report may be mailed home or given to students at school. The guidance counselors keep copies of the student report. The student copy of the score report is available for pickup in the fall in the guidance office. Go to for more information about Work Keys. 7

9 ACT Grades 11 & 12 The purpose of the ACT The ACT measures a student s skills in English, math, reading and science. The writing test, which is optional, measures skills in planning and writing a short essay. Some colleges or scholarships may request the writing scores. ACT scores are often used to determine a student s acceptance into college and for scholarships. ACT score s range from 1 to 36. The information in this section refers to national ACT dates. The state ACT is offered in conjunction with the PSAE. Any student who is considering college should take the ACT. ACT recommends taking the test second semester of the student s junior year. Under special circumstances, sophomores may be able to take the ACT. Contact the Guidance Office for details. The ACT is offered at Reavis on a Saturday morning in February, April and June. The test is offered at other local area schools during the months of September, October and December. For exact dates and to register, visit Cost and testing time of the ACT The ACT is $33 if the student registers by the regular deadline. ACT plus writing costs $48. There is an additional late fee of $21 if you register past the regular deadline. (Prices are subject to change). The ACT takes approximately four hours. ACT plus writing will take 4 ½ hours to complete. Students register online for all national test dates. See page 12 for tips on registering for the ACT. Reavis requires students classified as juniors to take the PSAE Prep course offered during their homerooms. ACT also offers a CD-ROM package which includes retired tests. The booklet, Preparing for the ACT is available in the guidance office. If a student must miss the test, ACT has guidelines on how to document the absence. The test can be taken the next time it is offered and ACT will assess a test date change fee. The test can be taken each time it is offered. Reavis counselors recommend that students take the ACT at least twice. All scores will appear on the student s transcript. If a student requests that ACT sends a report to a college, ACT will release only the scores from specified test dates. Colleges do not average ACT scores. Scores are sent to both home and school two to four weeks after the test date. Go to for more information, to request additional scores or to register online. 8

10 Advanced Placement Exams Grades 11 & 12 The purpose of the AP Exams The Advanced Placement exams are offered to students enrolled in the following classes: English Lang and Comp AP, English Lit and Comp AP, Calculus AP, U.S. History AP, Art Studio AP, Biology AP, Chemistry AP, Physics AP, Macroeconomics AP and Government AP. Students may be able to use their AP exam scores to earn college credit. AP scores range from 1 to 5. Detailed information about minimum scores and college participation is available in the Guidance Office, or from The College Board Web Site Juniors and seniors will have an opportunity to take the AP exam. Reavis offers the AP exams during school hours in May. Cost and testing time of the AP Exam The cost of each test depends on a set price determined by the College Board each year. The testing time varies for each exam. The testing fee is non-refundable. Students enrolled in advanced placement classes will be provided with registration information from their teacher. The curricula of the AP classes at Reavis correlate with the material on the AP exams. Make-up days are specified by the College Board. Students may take the AP test only once. Students receive AP scores in July. They are mailed directly to the student. Go to for more information on the AP exams. 9

11 ASVAB Grades 11 & 12 The purpose of the ASVAB The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery helps students identify and understand their interests, abilities, and preferences. Students can then match careers with their personal characteristics. The test is used to determine eligibility for military service. Sophomores, juniors or seniors who are interested in military service or who would like to do more career exploration should take the ASVAB. The test is administered at local military branches. Contact your local recruiter for detailed information. Cost and testing time of the ASVAB The test is offered by the Department of Defense at no charge. The test takes approximately three hours. Students can register for the ASVAB by contacting a local military branch. Recruiters regularly visit Reavis during lunch hours and homerooms. As with all tests, a good night s sleep and eating a healthy breakfast can help increase awareness and concentration. Contact a local military branch for information on when the next test will be offered. ASVAB scores are valid for up to two years. Students may retake the test only under certain circumstances. Contact your recruiter for guidelines on retaking the ASVAB. Scores will be sent to the student. With the student s permission, scores may also be sent to the local military branch, colleges or employers. Local military branch contact information Army: or Oak Lawn branch office Navy: or Oak Lawn branch office Air Force: or Oak Lawn branch office Marines: 10

12 SAT Grades 11 & 12 The purpose of the SAT The SAT measures a student s math and verbal reasoning skills. Colleges use the scores to compare students regardless of the high school curricula. Students who are planning to attend an east or west coast college should take the SAT. To find out what other colleges prefer the SAT, stop by the Guidance Office. Schools that use the SAT may require the Reasoning Test and Subject Tests. You may also contact the college directly. Reavis does not offer the SAT, but registration packets are available in the Guidance Office. Other local schools may offer the test in October, November, December, January, April, May and June. Cost and testing time of the SAT test The cost of the SAT Reasoning Test is $47. Each of the SAT Subject Area Tests costs $10 plus a $21 registration fee. (Prices are subject to change). The Reasoning Test lasts approximately five hours and all Subject Tests last one hour each. Registration packets are available in the Guidance Office. You can also register online at Reavis s school code is Information on SAT prep classes and test preparation material can be found on their website at If a student must miss a test, the SAT packet explains the absence guidelines. The test can be taken the next time it is offered. How many times the test can be taken The test can be taken each time it is offered. All scores will appear on the student s transcript. Scores are sent to both home and school approximately three weeks after the test date. Go to for more information or to register online. 11

13 To Register for the ACT School Year Register online at (A credit card is required to register online.) or Request a paper folder while online and mail to ACT (Only if you need to pay by check. Paper folders are not available at school.) Click on Login and then Create an Account (Write down your user ID and password so you can return to your account later.) User ID Password Register online and print your admission ticket. For the SCHOOL CODE Reavis For the TEST CENTER CODE Reavis does not offer the ACT in September, October or December Queen of Peace (September, October and December) St. Laurence (October only) Reavis (February, April or June) Fees: $33 for ACT $48 for ACT plus Writing Additional $21 Late fee (after Registration Deadline) Additional $41 Standby fee (after Late Registration) 12