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Test Information
Mariemont High School ACT/CEEB code: 363205
ACT Test Dates 2008-2009 (fee $43.00 with Writing Test--recommended)
SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Test Dates 2008-2009 (fee $41.50)
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) Recommended as a valuable practice testing experience, the PSAT/NMSQT is offered to college-bound juniors on a Tuesday morning in October. Students pay the fee of $13.00 and experience a shortened version of the SAT. Scores are reported within a range of 20-80 for each section of critical reading, math, and writing skills. They can be related to actual SAT scores by adding a zero to each score (the SAT ranges from 200-800 for each of the three sections). Students will receive their actual test booklet when they get their scores. Their score report shows correct and incorrect answers, enabling students to learn from the questions they missed. Score reports are sent through the high school and will be distributed during December. The three scores are added together to form a "selection index" which is used by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to identify those students with high scores. The top .5% of the scorers in each state are named National Merit Semi-finalists and are invited to compete for scholarship money. This is a very prestigious recognition. Mariemont usually has several semfinalists, and has had as many as five. Corporations and universities sponsor the scholarships. PLAN (Practice ACT Test) The PLAN test is the ACT practice opportunity for sophomores offered each November and administered at MHS. The PLAN test acts as a reliable predictor for a later ACT score. In addition, it has a career planning component that enables a young student to have career interests measured. Students pay the fee of approximately $12.00. The academic portions are identical to the ACT, in style and format, but with fewer questions. The entire PLAN Test takes over 3 hrs. to administer. The test is given during the school day. The PLAN score reports are returned within 6 weeks and are distributed to students in small group sessions. Test Preparation Even the test publishers tell us that the best preparation for any college admission test is the consistent daily school involvement students have. The harder students work on day-to-day assignments and projects, the better their chances for a higher score. Nevertheless, many people wish to have some review and preparation in order to maximize their scores. Here are a few suggestions to get some preparation: The MHS Library website has an extensive, up-to-date list of online mostly free test prep resources. Please make this a first-stop! Here are more free and for-fee sites: StudyGuideZone for SAT StudyGuideZone for ACT College Board web site. Also check out the SAT Question of the Day. Kaplan (may be costly) Princeton Review (may be costly) There are numerous printed materials with sample tests, hints, test-taking tips, and more. Either borrow them from the Guidance Office or check them out of the school library or the public library. They can also be purchased at area bookstores. Sample tests and hints, provided from the test publishers FREE, are available if students request them from the Guidance Office. Using PLAN and PSAT score reports are another good way to prepare. The actual test is returned to the student and the score reports include correct answers. Students can go back through the test learning from mistakes. (Test prep instructors use these practice tests as a starting point when working with students.)
SAT Preparation resources Updated Dec. 2006
ACT Preparation resources
Special Testing for students with disabilities Both the College Board (publishers of PSAT, SAT Reasoning Test, and SAT Subject Tests) and the ACT (publishers of PLAN and ACT) have procedures to enable students with documented disabilities to take the tests with accommodations. If a student is educated with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) at school, or if a professional has identified a disability after a thorough educational evaluation, that student may request a special testing application form. Please see the MHS Special Education Case Manager for assistance (Ms. Amanda Leszczuk, Counselor). Families may download the ACT special testing forms at this link: www.act.org/aap/disab/ and get SAT information from http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/index.html The ACT offers either national test center testing with extended time, or special testing at the high school with unlimited extended time and other accommodations. The test setting is based upon the special needs of the test taker and each application is evaluated by the ACT individually. Approval for any testing accommodations rests with each test publisher.
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