The PLAN test is a preparation for the American College Testing (ACT), which is an alternative to the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). Students will be given the opportunity to take the PLAN, which will give them a better understanding on the academic path they wish to follow, Nov. 14.
For about four hours, students who have signed up for the PLAN test will congregate in the Peoples Church gym from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m..
The PLAN Test will equip students with the readiness to identify a career path they wish to pursue. As stated in the PLAN website, a strong basis is established for the participants of this test to guide them toward the right academic classes and careers that will best suit their strengths and interests.
This examination aids as a practice test for the ACT, which help students scope their academic growth. The grades received from the test help the learner feel confident in their courses taken in high school, all the way through college, and until they pursue a career.
The assessment consists of four multiple-choice divisions: English, math, science and reading. Similar to the ACT, there are no penalties for guessing on any question during the test. These scores are utilized to inform students regarding which subjects is their weakest, and which is their strongest.
Academic Advisor Michelle Warkentin advises all students to take the tests to prepare themselves for the real tests.
“I highly recommend students to take both the PSAT and PLAN tests in preparation for the SAT and ACT,” Warkentin said. “Sometimes students are surprised by which test they score higher on. The tests are structured very differently and by taking both practice tests, students are able to get a better idea of how they will do on the real thing.”
Freshman Morgan Miller chose to take the test in order to prepare herself for upcoming tests in the future.
“I?m taking the PLAN Test to prepare for the ACT,” Miller said. “Not only because it will get me ready for the rest of the tests to come, but because doing well on the ACT will help me to get into the college of my choice.”
While some students are deciding to take the test, some like freshman Emily Gonzales are not.
“I don’t find the test to be important,” Gonzales said. “The PLAN test helps you figure out which career path is good for you, but I already have an idea of what I want to do after high school. So I know the courses I need to be taking in order to reach my goal.”
Unlike the Practice Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), where each section is graded on a 20-80 scale, the PLAN is graded on a 1-36 scale for each section, averaging for a composite score ranging from 1-36. Another difference between the PSAT?s and PLAN test is that the PLAN has a science section, and the PSAT does not.
For more news, read the Oct. 31 article, Students to video chat with UCLA.
