The EXPLORE TEST Coming in September 2013

SubjectNumber of QuestionsHow long it takes English4030 minutes Math3030 minutes Reading3030 minutes Science2830 minutes EXPLORE TESTING What you need to know! Your skills in these subjects will make a big difference - in school and, eventually, in your career. Once you know what each test covers, your EXPLORE test results can show you where you’ re strong or weak.

 13 or higher on the English Test  17 or higher on the Mathematics Test  15 or higher on the Reading Test  20 or higher on the Science Test Percentage of Kentucky 8th-Grade Students Meeting or Exceeding Benchmarks in EXPLORE Benchmark Scores YearEnglishMathReadingScience %34%42%19%

 The EXPLORE English Test measures your understanding of standard written English— punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure (Usage/Mechanics)—and your understanding of the use of strategy, organization, and style in writing (Rhetorical Skills).  You receive a total score for the English test and separate scores (called "sub scores") for Usage/ Mechanics and Rhetorical Skills. The English Test

 The EXPLORE Reading Test measures your ability to understand written material from different school subjects.  The skills measured include referring to details in the passage, drawing conclusions, and making comparisons and generalizations.  The test does not cover information outside the passages, vocabulary taken out of context, or formal logic. The Reading Test

 The passages are typical of materials you might read in school, including:  Prose Fiction – Short stories or excerpts from short stories or novels  Humanities – Excerpts from memoirs and personal essays, and from works on architecture, art, dance, ethics, film, language, literary criticism, music, philosophy, radio, religion, television, and theater  Social Sciences – Excerpts from works on anthropology, archaeology, biography, business, economics, education, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology The Passages

 EXPLORE is the first part of a testing system that goes on to include PLAN and the ACT.  Typically, students take EXPLORE in the 8 th grade, PLAN as 10th graders, and the ACT as juniors or seniors.  All three test you in English, math, reading, and science. EXPLORE, PLAN, and the ACT

 The EXPLORE Student Score Report gives information about your knowledge, skills, interests, and plans.  You can use this information as you plan your high school coursework and begin thinking about college and work.  Your report tells you how you did on the EXPLORE tests and how your scores compare to those of other students across the nation.  It contains information about your educational and career plans, interests, high school coursework plans, and the amount of help you think you need in seven areas. Your Score Report

 Your scores are between 1 (the lowest score you can receive) and 25 (the highest score you can receive) even though you answered a lot more than 25 questions on the EXPLORE test!  Your Composite Score is simply the average of your test scores in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science (rounded to a whole number).  Next to your scores, you’ll find the percent of students scoring at or below your score. This shows you how your scores compare to those of students across the country who took EXPLORE. My Scores

 Your EXPLORE results give you an early clue as to whether you will be ready for college-level work if you keep doing the same things in school.  ACT has also developed College Readiness Benchmark Scores. If you meet these benchmark scores, you are on your way to having the skills you will need by the time you finish high school. Thinking about College?

 The back of your Score Report describes the skills and knowledge you already probably have.  You’ll also see some ideas for improving even more in the different subject areas. The suggestions are based on your scores and can help you do better.  You will definitely want to discuss these ideas with your counselors, teachers, and parents so that you can work together to get the most from your courses and be "college ready." How Can I Improve?

 Once you have completed 8th grade, you will be entering the next part of your education to get you closer to a successful education at a College or University.  Then you WILL be on your way towards a successful future & chosen career. REMEMBER: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS! SUCCEED IN LIFE! This is just the BEGINNING!