ACT Prep and PSEO

Cheri Frame | January 9, 2019

ACT and SAT are standardized exams that we have a love hate relationship with. Students participating in Minnesota’s PSEO program may need to take a standardized exam for admission to the program. Understanding your options and best practices can help you determine the time commitment (if any) to make in your student’s schedule for test prep.

Historically, colleges and scholarship committees have relied on these exams as a measure of a student’s ability and a predictor of their potential, earning students admission or possible financial awards. Rather recently, some colleges have diverted away from this practice and instead, are using GPA as their benchmark standard. Understanding their purpose will help you determine the time commitment (if any) you should make in your student’s schedule for test prep.

While both exams are offered nationwide, ACT is more popular in MN just because their marketing strategy dominates in the Midwest. If your college has a preference, it will be noted on their website.

WHERE ARE TESTS ADMINISTERED?
ACT is offered through the company ACT. SAT is offered by The College Board. Check their respective websites for registration information. They are offered multiple times a year, often proctored on a college campus. Students do not have to go through a public high school to sit for either exam.

IS IT REQUIRED FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION?
Well, it depends on your goal.

Yes, if the college clearly states it is required for admission.
Yes, if you think your student will be applying for scholarships.
Yes, if your student might be applying to a competitive program or major like nursing. This may be part of the rubric for admission to that program.
No, if the college clearly states that is it not required. (College of St. Scholastica recently moved away from using ACT/SAT scores. They determined high school GPA is a better of college-readiness and potential.)
Maybe. Some colleges require it for incoming freshmen, but if your student is enrolled via PSEO, they may not need to re-apply at the time of high school graduation.

SHOULD MY STUDENT TAKE THE TEST?
In general, I recommend taking it. Here’s why: it keeps doors open.

IS IT REQUIRED FOR Minnesota’s PSEO (dual enrollment)?
The MN Dept of Ed PSEO policy states that PSEO admission requirement is set by the individual college. Most (not all) require some form of standardized test (i.e. ACT, SAT, PreACT, PSAT, Iowa Basic, CAT). Always check the college website. Read carefully. Some websites are vague as to listing examples or requirements. A few have gone to citing ACT as the only test they will accept.

WHEN SHOULD YOU TEST?

The Pre-ACT is ONLY offered in the fall. Make arrangements for testing with a local school (public, private, charter) or a larger homeschool co-op in the metro area. If your student’s score does not qualify them for PSEO, work on their weaknesses and schedule the ACT for Dec or March of 10^th grade. Taking the exams in this order gives your student two options to earn qualifying scores.

SHOULD MY STUDENT PREPARE?
In general, I recommend preparing, but within limits. I would rather a student spend an hour a day job shadowing than taking an intensive test-prep class. What’s best for your student? Determine your purpose for taking the assessment:

College admission post-high school: Once you are in, you are in. No balloons or cake for a higher score than what is required. If your student plans on applying to a selective college, see the prep instructions below.
College scholarships.
PSEO admission: Yes, however, your student only needs to earn the minimum qualifying score. Points above the required minimum score are not rewarded in any way.

SMART PREP IDEAS

Imitate a timed test environment, using one of the many online practice tests.
Teach fill-in-the-bubble skills.
Teach good test-taking skills (time management, critical reading for words like always and never, don’t change your first answer unless you realize another answer is right).
If your student has already taken a CLEP exam, they are ahead of the game (SAT and CLEP are prepared by the same organization – The College Board) because they have learned these steps already.

RESOURCES
Khan Academy has partnered with the College Board to provide free online test prep. Official Digital SAT Practice from Khan Academy

Log into your public library and look for the online resource Learning Express for another free test prep resource.

Varsity Tutors offers a FREE prep course.

You can also use flashcards for portability. Barron’s ACT Flash Cards, 2nd Edition: 410 Flash Cards to Help You Achieve a Higher Score

Additional Free Resources from EdisonPrep

WHAT IS A GOOD ACT SCORE?
A composite score from 1-36 corresponds to a percentile that compares how you did to the general population of ACT test-takers. A higher percentile means you scored higher than that percent of students.

More info on scores required for selective colleges.

WHAT ABOUT RETESTING?
In general, yes. Once. Early fall of 12th grade. There is enough evidence that the average student will increase his score the second time. Is that because he is smarter? Not necessarily. Perhaps just more mature and confident in his test-taking abilities .

SCORES REQUIRED FOR PSEO – reference only (always refer to the PSEO institution website since they set their own requirements)
• Juniors: composite score at or above the 70th percentile = 24
• Seniors: composite score at or above the 50th percentile = 21

Good Luck! If you have more questions, or would like to discuss best practices for choosing classes and preparing for your major, contact me for an Academic Consultation. Part of my goal to help your student achieve a debt-free college degree. ~Cheri

Tags: PSEO High School