Valkyrie Voice

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Testing for College

Written by Kristine Alford

The ACT is a very important test.  It can get a student accepted into college as well as award the student scholarships.  There are several opportunities yearly for students to take the test.  It always takes place on a Saturday.  Students may take the test as many times as they want during high school if they are willing to pay the fees for each testing.  Students who are approved for free or reduced lunch for the school year have the opportunity to take the test for free.  The portions of the test include math, science, reading and English.  This year, the test dates which have already passed were September 10, October 22.  The upcoming date is December 10.  Students need to pay attention to the deadlines to register for the tests.  After the deadline passes, students must pay an additional fee for late registration.  Students may register for the test online at www.actstudent.org. 

Preparation for the test has become more convenient for MGM students.  Books can be checked out at libraries, and websites often offer help.  actstudent.org is the best website.  Classes can also be taken to help students prepare for the tests.  University of South Alabama offers ACT prep courses as a part of their Continuing Education series.  The classes can cost students into the hundreds of dollars.  MGM has developed an ACT prep course.  This course is only $60 and is taught by MGM teachers.  These students meet outside of school hours, and the $60 fee pays for a book.  See Mrs. Lesley for more details.  At MGM, students may also schedule some ACT prep courses into their days.  MGM now offers ACT prep courses in certain subject areas.  Currently, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Clayton, and Ms. King teach ACT prep classes.  These classes and preparations help improve students’ test-taking strategies and review content that may appear on the ACT.  Studying always helps too.  It has also been statistically proven that students who take AP classes raise their ACT scores due to the content learned during those advanced placement classes. 

Out of a poll of 20 students on MGM’s campus, 12 students said the science content of the ACT was the hardest.  6 said the math is the most difficult.  3 said reading was most difficult, and only one student said English was the most difficult. 

The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is a test offered to students, mainly tenth graders.  This test mirrors the SAT test, which is similar in purpose to the ACT and more widely accepted by colleges outside the Southeast.  Students at MGM took the PSAT on October 12.  It was available to sophomores and juniors nationwide.  This test is offered every year and measures students’ skills in math, writing, and critical reading skills.  The test is targeted at preparing students for the SAT.  It is sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and juniors who take the test become eligible for the scholarships from the NMSC.  This test is where the area National Merit Finalists are identified.  This test is very beneficial to students planning on attending college after graduation.