Testing and Study Skills

CEEB (College Entrance Examination Board) Number for BHS:  430-162 

Advanced Placement (AP) Information 

AP classes are those classes taken in high school in which a student may test for college credit ($82.00 each) upon completion of the coursework in May.  Brentwood High School offers an extensive list of AP class choices.  It is to your advantage to take as challenging a course load as you can successfully complete.  Talk to your parents, School Counselor, teachers and other students when selecting your classes.  At BHS one point is added to each semester grade for the effort.  For example:  if you earned a B(3.0) in the AP class your final grade would be an A (4.0).  It is important to note that college/university AP acceptance policies differ so use of the following website to find out what the policy is at the college/university of your choice.

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                                                               PLAN

For 10^th Graders Only 

Understanding the PLAN
(a PowerPoint presentation)

The PLAN is the pre-ACT (American College Test).  The ACT is one of the two most widely accepted college entrance exams.  It helps students determine how they would perform on the actual ACT test.  The PLAN tells the students how many and what types of questions they responded to correctly and incorrectly.  It also tells the students what type of career might be good for them, strictly based on the kinds of skills your child exhibited on the test and the interest inventory. 

Williamson County Schools pays for each student to take the PLAN; therefore, it is free of charge to students.  The PLAN will be given to all 10th graders on October 15, 2008.

NOTE:  Students taking the PSAT and the PLAN will take the PLAN on Oct. 8th.

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The PSAT

9-11th Graders

PSAT Registration Form

The PSAT is the pre-SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test).  The SAT is one of the two most widely accepted college entrance exams.  The PSAT helps students determine how they would perform on the actual SAT test.  It tells the students how many and what types of questions they responded to correctly and incorrectly.  The PSAT also qualifies students for National Merit status during the 11^th grade year if a student meets certain requirements.  For more information, log-on at www.collegeboard.com/psat. 

The PSAT will be given at BHS on October 15, 2008

Cost:  $15

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ACT

Seniors--Invitation to a FREE after-school ACT Prep class

The ACT is a graduation requirement for Williamson County High Schools.  The ACT measures your skills and knowledge in English, Math, Science, Reading and Writing.  It is a set of four multiple-choice tests which cover English, mathematics, reading, and science.  The ACT Plus Writing includes the four multiple-choice tests and a Writing Test.  The ACT is usually taken by students for the first time in the spring of their Junior year and can be taken, without penalty, as many times as desired.  ACT registration packets can be picked up at the Guidance Office or you can register online at www.act.org.  The cost for taking the ACT is $29.00 plus $14.00 if you opt to take the Writing Test.  A voucher for the $29.00 test is issued to each student one time by their School Counselor.  Your score on the ACT is based on the number of questions you answer correctly:  there is no penalty for guessing.  Guessing on the ACT can help your score if you don’t know the right answer.

2008 – 2009 ACT Test Dates

* The September 13, 2008, test date is available only in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.

** No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.

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SAT

ABOUT THE SAT II

The SAT I has six sections, with 30 minutes allotted for each section.  Two sections test verbal ability, asking questions about antonyms, analogies and sentence completion, and testing reading comprehension.  Two sections test quantitative thinking with mathematics questions.  One section tests grammar, usage and sentence structure.  The last part asks questions that the examiners are considering for future tests.  Your performance on the last two sections does not affect your grade.  The SAT gives one point for each correct answer and deducts a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer.  Answers left blank are not deducted.  The score ranges from 200 to 800.  The raw score is the number of correct answers, minus a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer.  Even with no correct answers, a student would still have a score of 200.  You also could have a score of 800 even with questions left unanswered or with some incorrect answers.  Separate scores from 200 to 800 are given for the verbal and mathematics sections, the only sections which count on the overall score.

Students may pick up SAT registration materials in the Counseling Office or register on-line.

SAT Calendar Dates

2008-09 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines 

Important Information for All Test-Takers

§  Sunday administrations occur the day after each Saturday test date, for students who cannot test on Saturday due to religious observance.
§  The Language Tests with Listening are offered only in November.

* U.S. Registration Deadlines Important Information

§  U.S. deadlines apply to students testing in the United States, U.S. Territories, and Puerto Rico.
§  U.S. registration materials that are mailed must be postmarked by the U.S. deadlines.
§  On March 14, only the SAT Reasoning Test™ is offered.
** International Registration Deadlines Important Information

§  International deadlines apply to anyone testing outside of the United States, U.S. Territories, and Puerto Rico.
§  International registration materials must be received by the international deadlines.
§  There is no late registration for international testing. Online and telephone registrations must be completed by the international deadline dates listed above.
§  Students registering through International Representatives must submit their paper registration with full payment by the early registration deadline.
§  On March 14, the SAT is not offered outside of the United States, U.S. Territories, and Puerto Rico.  

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Study Skills 

Study Skills Self-Help - This website from Virginia Tech has helpful tips for studying.

Success in Mathematics - Saint Louis University.

Online Writing Assistant

Tutorials: ACT and SAT Prep classes are offered at BHS after school and on Saturday at specified times. Both Cable Channel 9 and the Bruins Doins inform students as to the scheduling of these classes. Additionally, SAT prep classes are available as a summer enrichment class.  There is a fee for the Prep class.

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