2. EXPLORE is the first part of a testing system that includes PLAN and the ACT. All Chicago Public Schools students take these tests 9-11 th grade. EXPLORE – 8 th and 9 th PLAN – 10 th ACT – 11 th Huh?

3. EXPLORE… Provides the first step toward monitoring your progress throughout high school. Helps teachers understand how to adjust instruction to accommodate areas where you need to grow. It is practice for the college entrance exam…the ACT. Why is it important?

4. Students who take the Explore tend to score higher on the PLAN? AND Students who take the PLAN score higher on the ACT? Did you know that…

5. Score Comparisons from Explore to PLAN (10 th grade) to ACT (11 th grade)

6. Indicate individual areas of strength and weakness for students Guide teacher instructional planning Connect to the College Readiness Standards (http://www.act.org/standard/guides/explore /index.html)http://www.act.org/standard/guides/explore /index.html For more information on EXPLORE preparation, scores, score reporting, please visit: http://www.act.org/explorestudent/score/ind ex.html http://www.act.org/explorestudent/score/ind ex.html EXPLORE Scores

7. Components: Official Transcript (Earned credits and GPA) ACT Scores (Taken in April of Junior year) Personal statement/essays (a chance to talk about extracurricular activities, sports, work experiences, future goals, etc.) Letters of Recommendation College applications… What ACT scores do many colleges like to see? …Check out the handout from Princeton Review

8. Fun Fact: Did you know students at SEG were awarded 1 st Place for growth in EXPLORE from October to January?

9. EXPLORE at Goode Wednesday, May 22

10. Test Taking Tips courtesy of

11. Get plenty of rest the night before. Eat a good breakfast. (Brainfood!) Arrive to school early. Before the test…

12. Read ALL directions carefully. Budget your time. Make dark and complete marks in your answer bubbles. If you have time, check your answers. Your first response is your best response. Do not change your answer unless you have a good reason to do so. During the test…

13. Make educated guesses. Try to eliminate options you know are incorrect. If the question is confusing, look at the answers. They often explain the question. Underline key words in the question. This can help you clarify it. Don’t spend too much time on any one question. It does not hurt to guess on the EXPLORE. Tips for Multiple-Choice Questions

14. Relax and do your best! You can only grow from here! Most of all…

15. Why go to college? http://youcango.collegeboard.org/why-gohttp://youcango.collegeboard.org/why-go Why take the ACT? http://www.actstudent.org/faq/why.htmlhttp://www.actstudent.org/faq/why.html College Readiness Standards http://www.act.org/standard/instruct/pdf/CollegeReadinessStandardsTables.pdf http://www.act.org/standard/instruct/pdf/CollegeReadinessStandardsTables.pdf The benefits to EPAS (Explore, Plan, and ACT) http://www.act.org/epas/works/index.html http://www.act.org/epas/works/index.html Research on Chicago Public Schools and how EPAS has benefitted students http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/pdf/cps.pdf http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/pdf/cps.pdf GoodeSTEMAcademy.org  ”Students”  ”Counselor’s Corner”  ”EPAS Testing” Resources for you… Contact Maija Martin, School Counselor (773) 535-1300 mswanson1@cps.edu

16. ACT Parent Newsletter… Resources and articles for parents to help you support your students’ preparation for college. March, 2013 Edition Free monthly delivery to your email or available online. Located at http://www.act.org/ path/parent/news/ http://www.act.org/ path/parent/news/

17. Why go to college? http://youcango.collegeboard.org/why-gohttp://youcango.collegeboard.org/why-go Why take the ACT? http://www.actstudent.org/faq/why.htmlhttp://www.actstudent.org/faq/why.html College Readiness Standards http://www.act.org/standard/instruct/pdf/CollegeReadinessStandardsTables.pdf http://www.act.org/standard/instruct/pdf/CollegeReadinessStandardsTables.pdf The benefits to EPAS (Explore, Plan, and ACT) http://www.act.org/epas/works/index.html http://www.act.org/epas/works/index.html Research on Chicago Public Schools and how EPAS has benefitted students http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/pdf/cps.pdf http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/pdf/cps.pdf GoodeSTEMAcademy.org  ”Students”  ”Counselor’s Corner”  ”EPAS Testing” Resources for you… Contact Maija Martin, School Counselor (773) 535-1300 mswanson1@cps.edu