Testing Information

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Seniors

ACT                                                                                               

High School Code: 040-880
Test Center Code: 171101

The ACT is a standardized test designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to begin college-level work. The tests cover four areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete with breaks. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Scores are reported on a scale ranging from 1 (low) to 36 (high) for each of the four tests and for the Composite. The Composite is the average of the four test scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.

The ACT is administered four three per year, and the registration fee for the basic test is $29.

The fee for the ACT with the optional writing test is $43 ($29 plus an additional $14).

Students may register online at www.actstudent.org

SAT                                                                                              

When registering for the SAT, it is important that students who live more than 50 miles from campus (most dorm students) put the address of the school as their home address or they may be assigned to a Sunday testing center within 50 miles of their home address.

School address: 20997 Dawn Hill East Rd Gentry, AR 72734

**SAT registration for a Sunday test date must be done through the mail and must include a letter from a chaplain or pastor. Please see Ms. Moungaafi or your local pastor for a signed letter explaining why you are requesting a Sunday test date (must be for religious reasons).

High School Code: 040-880
Test Center Code: 01-000 (leave second choice blank)

The SAT I is a standardized test required for admission to many American colleges and universities. The test focuses on verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that are related to successful performance in college.

The overall testing time for the new SAT will be 3 hours and 45 minutes:

70 minutes for Math, 70 minutes for critical reading, 60 minutes for writing (25-minute essay, 35-minute multiple choice), and 25 minutes for the variable section.

Students receive two scores on the test-one for verbal and one for math-and each is reported on a 200-to-800 scale where 800 is a perfect score. Students who do not answer any questions receive a score of 200.

The SAT I is administered two times per year, and students may take it more than once. The cost of the test is $41.50 per administration.

You may get more information on the SAT at www.collegeboard.com

Differences between SAT & ACT

Which One is Right for You?
Choice? You have a choice?

Choosing which test to take wasn't even an issue even 10 years ago. Until recently, the ACT* was traditionally required by colleges in the Midwest , and the SAT* was the test of choice in the Northeast and on the East and West coasts. But now increasing numbers of students are taking the ACT* and the majority of schools in the United States now accept results from both tests.

How Does It Affect Me?

The increased acceptance of the ACT* provides today's savvy students with a strategic advantage. The SAT* and ACT* are significantly different tests, and in many ways, they measure different skills. Depending on your particular strengths and weaknesses, you may perform much better on one test than the other. As a result, many students embarking on the admissions process are now considering both tests in order to determine which better showcases their abilities.

• The ACT* includes a science reasoning test.
• The ACT* math section includes trigonometry.
• The SAT* tests more vocabulary than the ACT.
• The SAT* is not entirely multiple choice.
• The SAT* has a guessing penalty.
• The ACT* tests English grammar.

Which is right for you? Well, try your luck with one of Kaplan's free practice tests. Take both the SAT* and ACT* and then decide on the one with which you are most comfortable

• The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading , Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Verbal, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. Mathematics makes up 50% of SAT's test score and only 25% of ACT's test score.

• The College Board is offering the old version of the SAT in the fall of 2004 and a new version in 2005, with a mandatory writing test. ACT is offering its well-established test, and the only change is an optional writing test. You take the Writing Test only if required by the college you're applying to.

• The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT is scored based on the number correct with no correction for guessing.

• ACT lets the student decide what set of scores they want sent. The College Board's policy is to send all scores.

• The ACT has an interest inventory that allows students to evaluate their interests in various career options.

Juniors                                        

PSAT

Confirmed Test Date:
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Students may take it in 10th or 11th grade and OAA pays for 1 administration of this test during the student's junior year.

Total testing time is approximately 2 hours, 45 minutes.

The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship QualifyingTest. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures:

• critical reading skills
• math problem-solving skills
• writing skills

The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:

• to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
• to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
• to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
• to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
• to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.

You should definitely take the PSAT/NMSQT in your junior year. Many students benefit by taking it earlier, typically in their sophomore year. Sophomores will be provided with a sophomore percentile so that they can compare their performance to other sophomores who are also planning on going to college. If you take it earlier, recognize that the PSAT/NMSQT is a junior-level test, so don't get discouraged if your score is low. Your score will usually increase as your years of study increase. If younger students focus on the skills, not the score, they can work to improve those skills. This will help improve performance in high school, as well as better prepare them for college, the junior-year PSAT/NMSQT, and the SAT.

Sophomores                               

Tests of Achievement and Proficiency

-paid for by OAA
Test dates: Week of September 24–282, 2007

PLAN                                                                                           

Standard fee for test: $12.00 per student.
Students may take this test during their Sophomore or Junior year.
Standard administration time: 3 ½ hours.

 Why should you take the PLAN test?

• If you are planning on taking the ACT test then the PLAN test is for you!
• Why should you take the PLAN test?
• The PLAN test is a preparation test for the ACT
• The PLAN covers similar information to the ACT:
  English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning
• The PLAN provides test questions in the same format as the real ACT
• Your PLAN test score provides you an estimate of your future ACT score
• The test is offered to both Sophomore and Junior students

PSAT                                                            

Students may take it in 10th or 11th grade.
Total testing time is approximately 2 hours, 45 minutes.

The Preliminary SAT ®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship QualifyingTest. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures:

• critical reading skills
• math problem-solving skills
• writing skills

The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:

• to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
• to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
• to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
• to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
• to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.

You should definitely take the PSAT/NMSQT in your junior year. Many students benefit by taking it earlier, typically in their sophomore year. Sophomores will be provided with a sophomore percentile so that they can compare their performance to other sophomores who are also planning on going to college. If you take it earlier, recognize that the PSAT/NMSQT is a junior-level test, so don't get discouraged if your score is low. Your score will usually increase as your years of study increase. If younger students focus on the skills, not the score, they can work to improve those skills. This will help improve performance in high school, as well as better prepare them for college, the junior-year PSAT/NMSQT, and the SAT.

Freshmen                                                                       

Tests of Achievement and Proficiency - paid for by OAA
Test dates:  Week of September 24-28, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions           

How does a sophomore or senior qualify for National Merit Scholarship?

In order for a sophomore or senior to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, he/she would have to contact National Merit Scholarship directly to see about qualifying. PSAT automatically sends in Junior test scores but will not send in scores for any other students.

For the SAT, How many times can you take the test?

You can take the test as many times as you want. Your score report will show your current test score, plus scores for up to six SAT and six Subject Test administration dates.

Will taking the PSAT more than once affect my eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship?

Taking the PSAT your sophomore year will in no way affect your chances of qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship. The scores are kept separate and only your test scores from your Junior year will be sent in to the National Merit Scholarship.

How do I know if I am eligible for SAT or ACT fee waivers?

Your family income must be at or below the following guidelines:

ACT Fee Waiver Income Guidelines

Family of

1 - $10,400
2 - $17,100
3 - $23,500
4 - $29,000
5 - $34,200
6 - $40,000
6+ $40,000 + $3,100 for each additional member

If you are eligible for a fee waiver, please contact immediately.  There are only a limited number of fee waivers allotted to each school.

SAT Fee Waiver Income Guidelines

Family of

1 - $17,224
2 - $23,107
3 - $28,990
4 - $34,873
5 - $40,756
6 - $46,639
6+ $46,639 + 5,883 for each additional member

If you are eligible for a fee waiver, please contact immediately.  There are only a limited number of fee waivers allotted to each school.