Course Guide 2008-2009 
Senior Information Center
2007-2008 TestingISTEP + stands for the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress. The state of Indiana requires that all students who plan to receive a diploma from a public high school in Indiana meet or exceed a minimum standard in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. The test is given at grades 3 through 10. The 10th grade exam is called the Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE). Students must meet both the English/Language Arts and Mathematics standard scores as part of the graduation requirements. First time takers and retesters take the test in the middle of September. Retesters (11th graders, 12th graders, and adults) take the test in the middle of March. Most colleges and universities and many scholarship programs require that students take a college admission exam, wither the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). The results of both the SAT-I and ACT are used for appropriate placement in college courses, screening for admission and as a criteria for scholarship selection. Some colleges and scholarship programs will accept the results of either test; however, others specifically require the SAT-I or ACT. If in doubt about which test to take, check with your high school guidance counselor and he/she will assist you in finding the answer. It is recommended that students take the SAT-I or ACT in the spring of the junior year. However, taking the test earlier is beneficial for the following reasons:
Registration forms are available in the guidance office. The form may be mailed directly to the testing company or the student may apply online. The best preparation for the SAT-I or ACT is to enroll in college preparatory courses in high school. Both tests assess reading comprehension, vocabulary, reasoning skills and math skills. These skills are learned and developed through continued courses with challenging content. Students should read the information booklet provided free by SAT and ACT. These booklets are also available in the guidance office. In addition to an adequate academic preparation, college entrance exam courses, seminars, reference books and computer software may be of assistance to the student. Check with your counselor to see if SHS is offering a preparation course or to borrow study guides. PSAT The PSAT/National Merit Scholastic Qualifying Test is administered in October of the junior year. The exam is a scholarship competition for National Merit Scholarships and an early predictor of scores on the SAT for college admissions. The PSAT may help a junior: • Assess his/her ability to college work • Firm up college plans with parents • Predict his/her college entrance exam scores on the SAT • Become familiar with the testing format of the SAT • Enter the competition for the National Merit Scholarships • Participate in the College Board's student search service that provides information about college and scholarship opportunities Click here for a Quick Start Presentation Click here for a PSAT Presentation PLAN PLAN is an assessment by American College Testing (ACT). Sophomore students will be allowed to choose between this assessment and the PSAT in the fall semester. The PLAN is a practice ACT college admissions test and includes achievement test in English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. This test will help students prepare for the ACT exam, which is a college entrance exam. Included with PLAN is a career interest inventory. The results of the inventory direct students to Career Clusters that match their interest. When this information is coupled with the test achievement scores, students can start to see the connection between future careers and education needed to enter the careers. Results are usually given to students in early December. Click here for a PLAN Test Interpretation Presentation SAT-I, SAT-II, ACT ExamsSome colleges and universities require achievement tests offered by the College Board. Before deciding which achievement tests to take, refer to a college catalog or consult a member of the admissions department. Find out if specific tests are required for your school or if you have a choice of tests. Achievement tests measure your knowledge of skills in a particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge. All SAT-II subject achievement tests take one hour of testing time. These subject tests consist entirely of multiple-choice questions except the English composition Test with Essay, which consists of an essay and multiple-choice questions. You can register on-line and get information for the SAT-I and SAT-II and for the ACT by clicking on the following links: Advanced Placement (AP) TestingThe Advanced Placement testing program is under the auspices of The College Board. AP classes follow a nationally recognized college curriculum. The textbooks and materials used in these classes are the same as many college textbooks and materials. The goal of each AP course is to prepare students for the AP exam in that subject in May. Here is the link for the AP exams schedule:
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