EXPLORE

• The EXPLORE is the practice ACT test designed for freshmen.  It tests students in English, Math, Reading, and Science.
• The results of the EXPLORE are used to discover students’ strengths and/or area(s) in which students need to show improvement with the goal of increasing their scores on the actual ACT.
• The EXPLORE also provides information about students’ interests, skills, plans and goals.
• The EXPLORE is strictly timed, with 30 minutes provided for each subject area test in English, Math, Reading and Science.
• The EXPLORE is a multiple-choice test and is purely a test of correct answers. No points are deducted for incorrect answers.
• The EXPLORE is required for all freshmen at EMHS and is administered in the fall of each school year. EMHS pays for the test.
• Student EXPLORE test results are not recorded on the EMHS transcript.
• For more information, please visit http://www.act.org/explore/

PLAN

• The PLAN is the practice ACT test designed for sophomores.  It tests students in English, Math, Reading, and Science.
• The results of the PLAN are used to discover students’ strengths and/or area(s) in which students need to show improvement with the goal of increasing their scores on the actual ACT.
• The PLAN is strictly timed, with 30 minutes provided for English, 40 minutes for Math, 20 minutes for Reading and 25 minutes for Science.
• The PLAN is a multiple-choice test and is purely a test of correct answers. No points are deducted for incorrect answers.
• The PLAN is required for all sophomores at EMHS and is administered in the fall of each school year. EMHS pays for the test.
• Student PLAN test results are not recorded on the EMHS transcript.
• For more information, please visit http://www.act.org/plan/

PSAT/NMSQT

• The PSAT is the practice SAT test designed for sophomores and juniors.  It tests students in Critical Reading, Math and Writing.
• Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship if their score meets the eligibility requirements
• The PSAT is strictly timed, with 50 minutes provided for Critical Reading, 50 minutes for Math and 30 minutes for Writing.
• The PSAT includes multiple-choice, short answer and essay questions.  Students earn one point for each correct answer, no points for omitted answers and a ¼ point is deducted for each incorrect answer, except in the student-produced math portion of the test.
• The PSAT is required for all sophomores and juniors at EMHS and is administered in the fall of each school year. EMHS and the New Mexico Public Education Department pay for the test.
• Student PSAT test results are not recorded on the EMHS transcript.
• For more information, please visit http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html

NEW MEXICO STANDARDS BASED ASSESSMENT (NMSBA)

• The NMSBA tests ALL JUNIORS in Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies and is required by the New Mexico Public Education Department. Students will receive a rating of Beginning Step, Nearing Proficiency, Proficient or Advanced in each section.
• Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, the NMSBA will be used by the state of New Mexico as the test that determines whether or not the student receives a high school diploma.
• Students must receive a proficient rating in each section. Students not receiving a proficient rating may re-take section(s) as a senior and/or complete an alternate portfolio.
• The NMSBA is untimed; most students require about an hour to take each section.
• The NMSBA includes multiple-choice, short answer and essay questions. Multiple choice questions are worth one point and short answer questions are worth two or four points.
• EMHS pays for the tests; there is no cost to families.
• The NMSBA is administered to juniors in March or April of each year.
• The NMSBA is recorded on the EMHS transcript.
• For more information, please visit http://www.ped.state.nm.us/AssessmentAccountability/AssessmentEvaluation/SBA/index.html

ACT

• The ACT is used for college admittance, course placement, and scholarships. The ACT tests students in English, Math, Reading and Science. An optional Writing Test is also given, which some colleges require.
• Most colleges require students to take either the ACT or the SAT to be admitted to college. Most colleges and universities will accept either test. Most colleges and universities will consider a students’ highest ACT score for college admissions, while some will consider a student’s most recent scores.
• The ACT shows strengths and weaknesses in the testing subject areas and predicts college readiness.
• A score of 18 in English, 22 in Math, 21 in Reading and 24 in Science correlates with a 75% chance of receiving a C or better in a college course corresponding to that subject.
• The ACT is strictly timed, with 45 minutes provided for English, 60 minutes for Math, 35 minutes for Reading and 35 minutes for Science. The optional Writing Test takes 30 minutes.
• The ACT is taken junior and/or senior year.
• The ACT is a multiple-choice test (except the optional essay) and is purely a test of correct answers. No points are deducted for incorrect answers.
• EMHS Foundation pays for all EMHS juniors to take the April ACT at EMHS; EMHS will also take care of the registration process with students at school.
• Students’ families pay for additional ACT tests ($33 without writing and $48 with writing). EMHS is not a test site and students must register through ACT. ACT tests are given nationally in September, October, December, February, April and June.
• The ACT is recorded on the EMHS transcript.
• For more information, please visit http://www.act.org/

SAT

• The SAT is used for college admittance, course placement, and scholarships. The SAT tests students in Critical Reading, Math and Writing.
• Most colleges require students to take either the ACT or the SAT to be admitted to college. Most colleges and universities will accept either test. Most colleges and universities will consider a students’ highest SAT score for college admissions, while some will consider a student’s most recent scores.
• The SAT tests the subject matter learned by students in high school and how well they apply that knowledge.
• The SAT is strictly timed, with 70 minutes provided for Critical Reading, 70 minutes for Math and 60 minutes for Writing. There is also a 25 minute unscored section.
• The SAT includes multiple-choice, short answer and essay questions.  Students earn one point for each correct answer, no points for omitted answers and a ¼ point is deducted for each incorrect answer, except in the student-produced math portion of the test.
• Students’ families pay for the SAT ($47). EMHS is not a test site and students must register through SAT. SAT tests are given nationally in October, November, December, January, March, May and June.
• For more information, please visit http://www.collegeboard.org/