ACT
The ACT is a test taken by students who are planning on going to a four year college or university. College and university admissions counselors use students’ ACT scores to determine   the skill level and projected success level of the students at their school. The ACT tests students in English, Mathematics, Reading, Natural Science, and Writing. ACT tests are given a score on each section and a composite score between 0 and 36. It is recommended that students take the ACT at least twice before November of their Senior year.

The ACT is given to all Juniors in the spring semester as a part of the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) and also on National Testing Dates. To sign up for a national testing date go to www.actstudent.org or see your counselor.

National Test Dates

*ACT (No Writing) - $34 ; ACT Plus Writing - $49.50
**Late Registration Fee - add $21

PSAE: Prairie State Achievement Exam
The PSAE is given to all Juniors in public schools in Illinois. Over 2 days in the spring semester students will take the ACT on day 1 and on day 2 students will take the Work Keys Mathematics and Reading test as well as state standard tests in Writing, Science, and Social Studies.

For more information regarding the PSAE, including test dates click on the PSAE Logo above.

PLAN
The PLAN Test is an ACT Preparation Exam that helps to determine if a student is on track to being college ready in each field. The PLAN test includes sections of English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. When students receive their results on the PLAN test they will have an understanding of which areas are their strengths and weaknesses.

Sterling High School Testing Sequence

Each school year all of the students’ at Sterling High School will take one of the tests to help the students, parents, counselors, and administrators understand what areas the students need to grow in to be college and career ready by the time they leave Sterling High School.

The following is the order of the tests that will be taken by SHS students by class:

Freshmen => PLAN

Sophomores => Retired ACT

Juniors => ACT PSAE

Other Testing Options

PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT)/ NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is another testing option for Juniors at Sterling High School. The primary reason for Sterling High School students to take the PSAT is that it enters students for the National Merit Scholarships and other scholarship competitions through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

The PSAT is also a preparatory test for students who wish to take the SAT as their college entrance exam. The PSAT will provide feedback on students’ strengths and weakness to help prepare them.

*The PSAT is offered to Juniors on October 15, 2010 after the Early Out dismissal for a fee of 15$

SAT
The SAT is another college readiness test that 4 year colleges and universities will use in making admissions decisions. The SAT test the skills students learn in high school in sections of Reading, Mathematics, and Writing.

The SAT is the primary admissions test used by colleges and universities on the east coast, but is an option for Midwest and west coast colleges and universities. See your counselor if you have any questions about the SAT