1. The EXPLORE Test: What?/When?/Why? From ACT

2.  Taking EXPLORE ® in 8 th grade tells students (and parents) things they need to know  to plan your high school courses  to prepare for the ACT  to choose a career direction

3. Test Date: Wednesday, September 19 th Test Location: Individual Homerooms Testing Schedule: The test will last approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours. After testing, students will follow their normal schedule. Students must use a soft lead No. 2 pencil with a good eraser.

4. Subject Number of Questions How Long It Takes English4030 minutes Math3030 minutes Reading3030 minutes Science2830 minutes EXPLORE includes four multiple-choice tests:

5.  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.

6.  The EXPLORE English Test measures your understanding of standard written English— including punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure as well as your understanding writing strategy, organization, and style.

7.  The EXPLORE Math Test measures your mathematical reasoning. The test focuses on your ability to reason in math rather than on how well you have memorized formulas or can do involved calculations.  Questions on the test cover concepts in pre- algebra, basic algebra, geometry, as well as statistics and probability.

8.  The EXPLORE Reading Test measures your ability to understand written material from different subject areas.  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.

9.  The EXPLORE Science Test measures your scientific reasoning skills.  You will be asked questions that require you to analyze and interpret data from graphs, tables, and research summaries.  Materials for this test are drawn from the life sciences, Earth/space sciences, and physical sciences.

10.  Carefully read all instructions and test questions.  Pace yourself—don't spend too much time on a single passage or question.  Pay attention to the announcement of five minutes remaining on each test.  Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones if you have time remaining on that test.  On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining.

11.  Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.  If you complete a test before time is called, recheck your work on that test.  Mark your answers properly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging.  Get plenty of rest the night before test day.  Dress comfortably. Consider dressing in layers, so you'll be comfortable no matter what the room conditions are.

12.  EXPLORE is the first part of a testing system that goes on to include PLAN and the ACT.  Typically, students take EXPLORE in the 8th, PLAN as 10th graders, and the ACT as juniors and/or seniors.  All three test you in English, math, reading, and science. However, the material tested in each program gets more difficult.

13. ProgramGrade Level Composite Score Range EXPLORE8 and 91 to 25 PLAN101 to 32 ACT11 and 121 to 36

14.  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.

16.  Your EXPLORE scores can be used to predict how you are likely to do if you take the PLAN as a 10th grader and keep working hard.  You can use these predicted or estimated scores to see if you are on track to achieve the scores you want when you take the ACT later in high school.

17. High School Course Registration is determined based on your Middle School Grades, 8 th Grade Teacher Recommendations, TCAP Scores, and EXPLORE Results

18.  The back of your Score Report describes the skills and knowledge you already probably have.  This gives you an idea of the subject areas that you are strong in as well as the areas that you could focus on for improvement.  The score report even gives you ideas for improving in the different subject areas. The suggestions are based on your scores and can help you do better.

20.  When you take the EXPLORE, you will answer questions about your educational and career plans  This information can help you learn more about careers, set goals for yourself, and begin to plan your future.

22.  Your EXPLORE Score Report helps you start by focusing on a few career areas.  Career exploration tools such as the World of Work are available at www.act.org/explorestudent www.act.org/explorestudent