Christian High Counseling Department
College Entrance Test Information

What are the College Entrance Tests?
One of the necessary components in the college application process is taking either the ACT (American College Testing) or the SAT (Standardized Assessment Test).

The ACT consists of curriculum-based "achievement" tests in the areas of English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning.

The SAT is an "aptitude" test of verbal skills and mathematics. It also collects demographic (background) information about you to share with colleges.

Both of these tests will add a Writing test in February and March 2005.

Which Test Should I Take; The ACT or The SAT?
You may choose to take one or both—the ACT and/or the SAT.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO ATTEND COLLEGE IN MICHIGAN TO TAKE THE ACT because the state of Michigan uses the student's ACT score to determine some of its state financial aid awards.

Taking the ACT provides additional advantages. Students are offered assistance with educational and career planning based upon the results of the ACT Interest Inventory. This assistance helps students match their work activities and environment to their preferred careers and college majors. It also collects demographic (background) information about you to share with colleges.

When Should I Take The ACT or SAT?
Students should take the ACT or SAT in the spring of their junior year. It is advantageous to take the test in the junior year for the following reasons:

The tests are given again in the fall of the senior year. GRCH will not be giving the SAT on every testing date.

How Do I Register or Sign Up For The Tests?
You may register by paper or online at www.act.org for the ACT or www.collegeboard.com for the SAT. Registration packets and preparation booklets are available in the counseling office. Be sure to observe the registration deadlines. Registering online or by paper might require up to an hour to complete and must be postmarked no later than the registration deadline.

May I Take The Test More Than Once?
The college entrance tests may be taken more than once, and colleges will consider the highest score. National statistics indicate that two-thirds to three-quarters of students' scores improve or stay the same and the rest of students' scores decrease when students retake the test.

Are There Practice Tests For The ACT and SAT?
Yes, the PLAN (a "pre-ACT" test) is an optional test given at Grand Rapids Christian High (GRCH) to help students prepare for the ACT. By taking the PLAN students are able to practice before taking the real ACT college entrance test. In addition, the PLAN is valuable as a predictor of success on the ACT and can be used in career and academic planning. The test results will also indicate how the student's test scores compare to other college-bound students nationwide.

The test is given once a year on a Saturday morning usually in November. Registration is done in the counseling office during October and November. When the student registers and pays the fee, she receives a preparation booklet for the PLAN. A few students benefit from waiting until the junior year to take the test.

The PSAT/NMSQT is also an optional test given at GRCH to prepare for the SAT. Taking the PSAT is the only entrance to the National Merit Scholarship Competition; therefore, it is important for academically talented students to take this test as a junior. In fact, we encourage some sophomores also to take the PSAT as a practice test. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT is beneficial because it gives the student practice before taking the SAT college entrance test, and it can be used as a predictor of success on the SAT and academic success in college.

The test is given once a year in October on a Saturday morning. Registration is done in the counseling office during September and October. When the student registers and pays the fee, he receives a preparation booklet for the PSAT. If a student has a school or church-related conflict, check with the student's counselor regarding the weekday option.

Do I Need To Study For The Test?
The education which you have had (or should have had) in your college preparatory courses in high school is the best preparation for these tests. In addition, you should review the tips and suggestions in the preparation book (located in the counseling office) published by the testing company. This preparation booklet also contains a "retired" test on which you can practice and become familiar with the test. The web sites www.act.org (for ACT) and www.collegeboard.com (for SAT) also have excellent information for test preparation. If this preparation does not seem adequate, classes, workbooks, and software materials are also commercially available.

How important are the test scores?
Colleges use test scores as only one factor in deciding whether or not a student is admissible. The media has been publishing articles about the pressure on high school students to take and do well on college entrance tests. This produces some unnecessary anxiety because the courses (level of difficulty) a student has taken and grades he has earned are usually THE MOST important information a college admissions representative considers when determining a student's suitability for admission. The type of high school a student has attended will sometimes be considered along with the courses she has taken.

Standardized test scores are generally the second most important factor in college admissions followed by extracurricular activities, recommendations and personal essays.

What About The "New" Writing Test?
Beginning with the February and March 2005 tests, both the ACT and the SAT will include a Writing test. The ACT continues to include the English, Math, Reading, and Science tests while the new Writing test is optional. The SAT Writing test is required along with the English and Math tests. The Writing test will increase the length and cost of the tests.

The new Writing test is not required for the high school senior graduating in the Spring of 2005, unless that student waits until March 2005 or later to take the SAT because everyone taking the SAT in March or later is required to take the Writing test.

More information can be found on these web sites:

What about information by grade level?
10th Grade (Fall)
PLAN (a "pre-ACT" test) is an optional test given at Grand Rapids Christian High (GRCH) to help students prepare for the ACT. By taking the PLAN students are able to practice before taking the real ACT college entrance test. In addition, the PLAN is valuable as a predictor of success on the ACT and can be used in career and academic planning. The test results will also indicate how the student's test scores compare to other college-bound students nationwide.

The test is given on a Saturday morning usually in November. Registration is done in the counseling office during October and November. When the student registers and pays the fee, she receives a preparation booklet for the PLAN. A few students benefit from waiting until the junior year to take the test.

11th Grade (Fall)
The PSAT/NMSQT is also an optional test given at GRCH to prepare for the SAT. Taking the PSAT is the only entrance to the National Merit Scholarship Competition; therefore, it is important for academically talented students to take this test as a junior. In fact, we encourage some sophomores also to take the PSAT as a practice test. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT is beneficial because it gives the student practice before taking the SAT college entrance test, and it can be used as a predictor of success on the SAT and academic success in college.

The test is given in October on a Saturday morning. Registration is done in the counseling office during September and October. When the student registers and pays the fee, he receives a preparation booklet for the PSAT. If a student has a school or church-related conflict with that Saturday date, check with the student's counselor regarding the weekday option.

11th Grade (Spring)
ACT and/or SAT—see the above questions and answers for information.

Michigan MEAP or MERIT Award Scholarship: All Juniors will take these five tests, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Writing during the school day in April. A student's scores will determine whether or not he/she receives the Merit Award, which at the present time is $2,500.00 for a student who attends a college, university, or designated technical school in Michigan. Students going out of state will be awarded $1,000.00 if they qualify. Two places you can find out additional information are:

Scores of the MEAP tests taken in spring of the junior year are mailed to homes in September of the Senior year.

12th Grade
A student should take the ACT or SAT as soon as possible in fall of the senior year if he/she has not taken one yet. See the above questions and answers for information.

And seniors who did not score "1's and 2's" on only the Math, Reading, Writing, and Science MEAP tests, may retake those tests in October and again in April. Refer to the GRCHS Home Bulletin for more details or call the Counseling Office (547-5650).