ACT Prep Class Information
An instructor from The Lima Sylvan Learning Center will offer a free ACT prep seminar on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Celina High School. The two hour seminar will focus on strategies and tips for taking the ACT. Registration forms were mailed to all CHS juniors. Other interested students may pick up a registration form at the main office. The registration deadline has been extended.
Sylvan plans to offer an ACT prep class at the Auglaize-Mercer Counties YMCA prior to the April 12 ACT. Classes will run from March 3 - April 7 on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7:00 - 9:00. To register or get more information, call the Sylvan Learning Center at 419-331-7323.
There are many ways to prepare for college entrance testing. Perhaps the best way is to take challenging classes and prepare well for them. Reading is another activity that helps student performance on college entrance testing. Mastering test-taking strategies and familiarizing oneself with the test are also important factors.
Students can take the PSAT in fall of their junior year to become familiar with and prepare for the SAT. PSAT is also used to qualify students as National Merit Scholars.
Students should take the PLAN test during fall of their sophomore year to prepare for the ACT. The test is structured like the ACT and the subject areas tested are the same. The PLAN test includes a section that can help students identify areas of study in which they feel they need assistance. It also provides an interest inventory that can provide information that is useful during career exploration.
There are many resources available to students who want to prepare for the ACT and SAT. They may go to the ACT and SAT Web sites for practice tests. Also, sample questions are included in the test registration booklets.
A variety of workbooks and CDs are available for students to check out in the Celina High School Media Center. Hand-held I-Qwest instruments, which are similar to a Game Boy, can also be checked out. For a complete list of test prep materials available in the Media Center, click on the CHAMP Web site link “Test Prep Materials”.
Students may sign up to take an ACT or SAT test prep class offered through Sylvan Learning Center. Small group and individual instruction is offered at the Sylvan Learning Center in Lima, located at 2357 Elida Road. Registration information can be obtained by calling the director at 419-331-7323.
CHAMP Offered a Practice ACT Test
Recently, Celina High Academic and Motivational Promoters (CHAMP) arranged for sophomores, juniors and seniors to take a practice ACT test at Celina High School. Sixty-two students signed up for the test, which was administered by the director of the Sylvan Learning Center of Lima, Ohio. Center Director, Mike Graham, was in charge of the testing. Sylvan provided retired ACT tests and administered the test according to regular ACT time limits and standards. The experience allowed students to become familiar with the testing environment, the ACT format, and the time limits so that they will be better prepared for the real ACT. The tests were scored over the weekend, and Mike Graham met with students and parents during the evenings of Dec. 6 and 7 to distribute and interpret the test results, which provided valuable feedback about students’ relative academic strengths and weaknesses. Students received a packet that included their question book and answer sheet, with information regarding test prep options.
Sylvan charged only $5 per student for participation and generously donated the proceeds to CHAMP. The money was used to purchase new college entrance test prep materials which are located in the high school media center and are available for use at school or at home. CHAMP also used some of the money to purchase new resources for the CHAMP High School, College and Career Planning area in the media center. A complete list of test prep materials and resources is available at the CHAMP web site.
College Admissions counselors advise college-bound students to take an ACT or SAT by the second semester of the junior year. Students can take the PLAN test in the fall of sophomore year and the PSAT in the fall of junior year, as a means of preparing for the ACT and SAT. CHAMP urges students to prepare for the tests, as they are a major consideration in college admission decisions and scholarship awards. Although colleges do not require students to take both the ACT and SAT, many teens take both to see which test results in the best performance. Many students take their preferred test several times to increase the likelihood of improving their score. Students may elect to take SAT II subject area tests, and those enrolled in Advanced Placement classes are entitled to take the AP tests at the end of the school year.
Teenagers can prepare for college entrance tests independently, or they may enroll in a test prep class for ACT or SAT. Sylvan offers individualized test prep courses at their center on Elida Road in Lima. They also offer evening classes at Wapakoneta and LCC high schools, prior to the test dates. They are currently talking with other local high schools about offering test prep classes at their schools. For more information regarding test prep options or academic tutoring, call Mike Graham at 419-331-7323.