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PLAN

                  THE EVERY-STUDENT COLLEGE READINESS TEST FOR 10TH GRADERS

Why Take PLAN®?
  • It's great preparation for the ACT Assessment - it covers the same subject areas
  • It gives you an estimated ACT score
  • It helps you know what high school courses you should be taking
  • It connects you with colleges interested in you
  • It helps you identify careers that match your interests

Why should I take PLAN®?

1.  Taking PLAN is a great way to get familiar with and prepare for the ACT.

2.  Teachers and counselors use PLAN results to help you chose the right high schools courses to prepare you for college. 

3.  PLAN identifies your academic strengths and weaknesses so you'll know if you've developed the skills and knowledge you'll need to succeed in college.

4.  PLAN connects you with information you'll need to start your college search.  You'll even recieve information from colleges interested in you!

5.  PLAN helps you learn about careers that match your interests.  Learning about the world of work now will help you choose your college major later. 
 

Common Questions about PLAN®

When is the PLAN given?
PLAN is being offered at your school this year.  Your counselor will announce the date, time, and place.

How do I sign up for PLAN?
Your guidance office has details about PLAN registration and fees. 

What about students with disabilities?
Accommodations may be possible for students with physical or diagnosed learning disabilities.  Talk to your counselor or teacher if you think you will need testing accommodations.

What should I bring with me to take PLAN?

  • Your Social Security/School Identification number (ACT will use this only to identify your PLAN record.)

  • Three sharpened soft-lead (no. 2) pencils with erasers. 

  • A watch, if you want to pace yourself, but no alarms or beeper of any kind can be used.

  • A calculator for use on the Mathematics Test, if you want to use one.

Tips for Doing Your Best on the PLAN Tests
1.  Get a good night's sleep the night before. 

2.  Follow directions exactly as they are given.  Ask questions if there is something you don't understand. 

3.  Mark you answer folder carefully.  Be sure to fill in the correct ovals and boxes. 

4.  Place your answer folder next to your test booklet so you can mark answers quickly without moving either the booklet or the answer folder.

5.  Answer every question.  There is no penalty for guessing. 

6.  Read each question and all of the possible answers completely before choosing an answer. 

7.  When you're not sure of the correct answer, first eliminate every wrong answer you can.  Then, pick the best answer from those left. 

8.  Don't spend too much time on any one question.  If a question is difficult for you, choose the answer you think is best and go on to the next question. 

PLAN includes:
  • Tests in English, math, reading, and science - just like the ACT
  • A career interest inventory
  • A score report and booklet that help you understand what your PLAN results mean and how to use them.

Check out some PLAN sample tests questions at www.act.org/plan
 

A Message to Parents

As the parent of a high school student, you have important questions about your child's future. 

  • What courses does my child need to be prepared for college?
  • What skills and knowledge does my child need to be successful in college?
  • How can my child prepare to score well on the ACT?
  • How can my child learn about possible jobs or careers that might be a good fit?

PLAN provides answers to all these questions - and more.  Taking PLAN is an important step toward making college a reality for your child.  Here's how PLAN can help:

  • Students who take PLAN are more likely to go to college.
  • Taking PLAN helps ensure that your child is taking the courses needed to be successful in college. 
  • PLAN identifies academic strengths and weaknesses, so you child can get extra help or take additional courses to strengthen areas or need.   
  • PLAN connects your child to information about colleges and financial aid programs. 
  • PLAN gives your child an estimated ACT score.  ACT scores are an important piece of information used by colleges to make admissions and scholarship decisions. 
  • Students who take PLAN are more likely to score higher on the ACT than students who do not. 
  • PLAN helps your child explore careers that match his or her interests. 

It's never too early to begin the college planning process.  Though college may seem a long way off, doing more detailed planning now is key to your child's success. 

Learn more about PLAN and other ACT resources at www.act.org

Components

 

Achievement Tests    
English 50 items 30 minutes
Mathematics 40 items 40 minutes
Reading 25 items 20 minutes
Science 30 items 25 minutes

These curriculum-based tests cover the skills and knowledge that are commonly taught in the nation's schools and are judged to be important for success in both high school and college. The tests measure what students know and what they are able to do with their knowledge.

Other (approximately 65 minutes)

  • Needs Assessment—collects information about students' perceived needs for help
  • High School Course and Grade Information—gathers lists of courses completed, currently being taken, or planned for completion before graduation
  • UNIACT Interest Inventory—helps students explore personally relevant career options
  • Educational Opportunity Service (EOS)—provides relevant college and scholarship information at no cost to students based on their PLAN information

The content of the PLAN tests is closely tied to that of the achievement tests in the ACT Assessment®, which is broadly used for college entrance and placement decisions. Also, it is consistent with the content of ACT's EXPLORE® program for grades 8 and 9. EXPLORE, PLAN and the ACT Assessment can be used in combination to focus on meeting academic standards across the entire secondary school core program of studies. The EPAS Standards for Transition® are a useful tool for supporting instructional improvement.