Most colleges and universities require admissions tests for students seeking admission. The ACT is the most commonly used entrance exam for students in the Midwest. Students seeking admission to schools on the East Coast or West Coast often times take the SAT. Either test will suffice when applying for admission to any college or university. When registering for the ACT or SAT, students will need to use the school identification code: 501-950.

ACT®

The ACT¨ test contains four curriculum-based, multiple choice tests that measure academic achievement in the areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science, as well as an optional Writing Test, for which students complete an essay.

• English Test (75 questions - 45 minutes)
  The English Test measures the student's understanding of the conventions of standard written English (punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure) and of rhetorical skills (strategy, organization, and style). Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of rules of grammar are not tested. Three scores are reported: a total test score, a subscore in Usage/Mechanics, and a subscore in Rhetorical Skills.
• Mathematics Test (60 questions - 60 minutes)
  The Mathematics Test assesses the mathematical skills that students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade twelve. The test requires students to use their reasoning skills to solve practical problems in mathematics. The problems assume knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills but do not require memorization of complex formulas or extensive computation. The use of calculators is permitted on the Mathematics Test. Four scores are reported: a total test score, a subscore in Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry, and Plane Geometry/Trigonometry.
• Reading Test (40 questions - 35 minutes)
  The Reading Test measures the student's reading comprehension as a product of referring and reasoning skills. The test items require the student to derive meaning from several texts by 1) referring to what is explicitly stated and 2) reasoning to determine implicit meanings and to draw conclusions, comparisons, and generalizations. The test comprises four prose passages that are representative of the level and kinds of writing commonly encountered in college freshman curricula. The passages are selected from published sources. Three scores are reported: a total test score, a subscore in Arts/Literature reading skills (based on the prose fiction and humanities sections), and a subscore in Social Studies/Sciences reading skills (based on social studies and natural sciences sections).
• Science Test (40 questions - 35 minutes)
  The Science Test measures the student's interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. The test is made up of seven sections, each of which consists of some scientific information (the stimulus) and a set of test items. The scientific information is conveyed in one of three different formats. One score, a total test score, is reported for the ACT Science Test.
• Cost: ACT (No Writing): $34.00. ACT + Writing: $49.50.
  Currently, only two Wisconsin institutions require the Writing section: UW-Madison and Marquette University.
• ACT Test Prep
  www.actstudent.org, www.wisconsinmentor.org

* No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.

SAT

• Nearly every college in America accepts the SAT or Subject Tests as a part of its admissions process. That's why more than two million students take the SAT every year.
• Cost: $49.00
• Subject Tests: $11-$22 per test.

COMPASS

Students wanting to attend technical colleges will be asked to take an entrance exam also. One common exam is the COMPASS test. This is an untimed test which is taken on a computer. The purpose of this test is to assess the student's current academic skills. The test results are used for advising purposes to help students register for the appropriate level courses. Testing is available at the Commercial Avenue Education Center; no appointments are necessary. Please see the testing schedules. If you have questions regarding the test, please call the Assessment Center at (608) 246-5220.

ACCUPLACER

The ACCUPLACER is web-based and measures academic skill levels in language, reading and math.

PSAT

• The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT¨) is a rigorous, national assessment that measures the critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills for junior students and high achieving sophomores for higher education and careers after high school. Last year, over 23,000 schools opened the door to college for over 3.4 million students by administering the PSAT/NMSQT.
• Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011
• Cost: $14.00

EXPLORE®

• Taking EXPLORE^® in 9th grade tells you things you need to know—to plan your high school courses, prepare for the ACT, or choose a career direction.
• Date: Fall 2011
• Cost: FREE

PLAN®

• As a "Pre-ACT" test, PLAN is a powerful predictor of success on the ACT. At the same time, many schools recognize the importance of PLAN testing for all students, as it focuses attention on both career preparation and improving academic achievement.
• Date: Fall 2012
• Cost: FREE

Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) - Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations (WKCE)

• Students in grades 3-8 and 10th are all required to take the WKCE tests each year to comply with the No Child Left Behind federal law.
• Testing window 2010: October 24, 2011-November 25, 2011

UW System Placement Testing

• The UW Center for Placement Testing coordinates the University of Wisconsin Placement Testing Program for all campuses in the University of Wisconsin System. The program currently offers subject tests in English, Mathematics, German, French, Latin (UW-Madison only) and Spanish.
• Dates: Spring 2012
• Cost: FREE