Testing and Study Skills

Important Test Dates

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

AP Testing ACT PSAT PLAN SAT Study Skills

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.

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp 

Do you want to find out if you have the potential to succeed in an AP class?  

Click on AP Potential to find out. (AP Potential is a tool offered by the CollegeBoard that uses scores from the PSAT to identify students who have the potential to succeed in Advanced Placement.)

* * * *

2009- 2010 AP Testing

The deadline for registration:  ??   

AP EXAM SCHEDULE Print a copy of the 2009-2010 AP Test Schedule

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                                                               PLAN

For 10th 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 10th graders on October 14, 2009.  

10th graders who wish to take BOTH the PSAT and the PLAN, will take the PLAN on October 7th and the PSAT on October 14th.

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The PSAT

9-11th Graders

Registration Form
Cost:   $15.00

Letter From Principal, Kevin Keidel re PSAT Testing

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 11th grade year if a student meets certain requirements. 

For more information on the PSAT visit  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.htmlwww.collegeboard.com/psat

  • PSAT will be given at BHS on Wednesday, October 14th, at 7:30 a.m. This is the only day that the test will be given at BHS. 

  • Dates of registration:  September 1-25, 2009 in the Guidance Office.  Cash or check payable to Brentwood High School.  (Juniors may get fee waivers if on free or reduced lunch.)

  • For Juniors, this is the National Merit Scholarship Program Qualifying Test.  Other students will take the test as a practice.

  • Strategies and hints for taking the test are available when signing up for the test.

  • The PSAT is an optional test.  All Sophomores are required to take the PLAN (Pre-ACT) test, another college admission test. (There is no charge to take the PLAN).   Sophomores wishing to take both the PLAN and PSAT, will take the PLAN on October 7th and the PSAT on October 14th. Sophomores NOT taking the PSAT will be taking the PLAN on October 14th.

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ACT

ACT/ACT_College_Readiness_Standards.pdf

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 $32.00 plus $15.00 if you opt to take the Writing Test.  All juniors will take the ACT free of charge on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at BHS.  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.

ATTENTION JUNIORS

ALL JUNIORS must take the ACT during the school day on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Brentwood High School.  There will be no charge assessed on this test date.  Students will register at school prior to the exam.  This is considered a National Test Date, however, the Writing portion of the ACT will not be available. 

If you plan to apply for extended time based on your current 504 or GEIT Plan, you need to fill out an ACT application requesting extended time.  See your counselor.

 

2009 – 2010 ACT Test Dates

In the United States, U.S. Territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada

In other countries

 

Test Date

Registration Deadline

(Late Fee Required)

September 12, 2009*

August 7, 2009

August 8 – 21, 2009

October 24, 2009

September 18 2009

September 19– October 2, 2009

December 12, 2009

November 6, 2009

November 7 – 20, 2009

February 6, 2010**

January 5, 2010

January 6 – 15, 2010

April 10,  2010

March 5, 2010

March 6 – 19, 2010

June 12, 2010

May 7, 2010

May 8 – 21, 2010

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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

2009-10 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines 

2009-10
Test Dates

Test

U.S. Registration Deadlines*

Regular

Late
(a fee applies)

October 10, 2009

SAT &
Subject Tests

September 9, 2009

September 16, 2009

November 7, 2009

SAT &
Subject Tests

October 1, 2009

October 10, 2009

December 5, 2009

SAT &
Subject Tests

October 30, 2009

November 18, 2009

January 23, 2010

SAT &
Subject Tests

December 15, 2009

January 6, 2010

March 13, 2010

SAT only

February 4, 2010

February 24, 2010

May 1, 2010

SAT &
Subject Tests

March 25 2010

April 9, 2010

June 5, 2010

SAT &
Subject Tests

April 29, 2010

May 15, 2010


Important information re registration deadlines
  • U.S. deadlines apply to students testing in the United States, U.S. territories, or U.S. commonwealths.
  • U.S. registration materials that are mailed must be postmarked by the U.S. deadlines.
  • On March 13, only the SAT is offered.
  • Sunday administrations usually occur the day after each Saturday test date, for students who cannot test on Saturday due to religious observance. For the test administration on October 10, the Sunday test date has been moved to October 18 to avoid conflict with the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.
  • The Language Tests with Listening are offered only in November.


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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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