Click on the names of the tests below to visit their web sites and to apply electronically.
Free practice tests are available online.
What: A program for educational planning, the PLAN tests academic ability, contains an interest inventory and needs assessment and identifies career possibilities. Students receive a personalized report and also practice for the ACT.
Who: All students new to WTMC.
When: Administered each November at WTMC..
The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The PSAT/NMSQT measures the critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills that you've been developing throughout your life. It does not measure things like creativity and motivation, and it doesn't recognize those special talents that may be important to colleges.
Sample verbal, math, and writing skills questions with answers and explanations are available. The PSAT/NMSQT gives you firsthand practice for the SAT I and SAT II: Subject Test in Writing. It also gives you a chance to qualify for scholarship and recognition programs.
Information and applications are available on-line.
Who: Taken during the fall of the school year prior to graduation year.
When: Administered in October of each school year.
The ACT is a curriculum-based test, designed to assess high school students and their ability to complete college-level work. The tests include English, math, reading, science and the new writing test. Although the writing test is an optional ACT test, many colleges and universities will require the ACT writing test beginning with fall 2006 admission
As of February 2005, the following Michigan schools will require the ACT writing test:- Grace Baptist College, Gaylord
- Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo
- Michigan State University, East Lansing
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Henry Community College, Dearborn
Thus, no matter where you think you will end up, it is a good idea to take the ACT writing test! This will keep your options open and avoid retesting.
What the new ACT writing test is like:Students must write one essay. ACT will present an issue, describe both sides of the issue and require students to take a side in writing their essay.
More information on the test is available
on-line.
Who: Students planning to apply to four-year colleges or universities. Required for most schools in Michigan.
When:See ACT Test Date Schedule in the "Graduation" section. You can also check ACT website www.act.org or bulletin board in TI-214 outside counseling office.
NOTE: The ACT test can also be used as a substitute for parts of the MEAP. Please refer to the MEAP web site (below) or contact Ms. Dunbar for details.
The SAT is a reasoning test. It measures the kind of reasoning skills needed for college by assessing how students apply what they have learned in school. The new SAT includes three sections:
- Critical Reading: This section, currently known as the verbal section, will continue to include short and long reading passages. Analogies will be eliminated, and sentence-completion questions will remain.
- Math: The new math section will include topics from third-year college-preparatory math, such as exponential growth, absolute value, functional notation, and negative and factional exponents. Greater emphasis will be placed on other topics such as linear functions and scatterplots. Quantitative comparisons will be eliminated.
- Writing: Student will be asked to write an essay that requires them to take a position on an issue and use examples to support their position. It will be similar to the type of on-demand writing required on college tests. Multiple-choice questions will test a student's ability to identify sentience errors, improve sentences, and improve paragraphs.
Who:Students planning to apply to four-year colleges or universities. Often required for out-of-state schools.
When:Check website www.collegeboard.com or see schedule in TI-214, outside counseling office..
The SAT "II" (subject tests) measure your knowledge or particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the college you are considering.
Who: All WTMC students.
When: WTMC students who are full-time WCC students.
Why:
- The State of Michigan has stated that future funding of schools will be tied to participation in the test.
- Opportunity to obtain the $2,500.00 Merit Scholarship that is given by the state if a student reaches proficiency levels one or two on each part of the test.