MME-Michigan Merit Exam-It is required to take during the spring of the junior year to graduate. This test includes ACT, Work Keys and Michigan components. It is important to be in attendance from March 4-6, 2014, which is the testing window across the state of Michigan. ***Seniors who have never taken the MME will be notified by the Guidance Office of the opportunity to take this test. They will be tested with the juniors.

PSAT-Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test- It is required to enter National Merit Scholarship Competitions and is valuable practice for the SAT. Not ALL Juniors choose to take this exam. It will be given to juniors on Wednesday, October 16 at the high school. Sign up in the Guidance Office by Wednesday, October 9th. The cost is $14.00 (if you receive free or reduced lunch, fee-waivers are available in the Guidance Office). For more information about the National Merit Scholarship see www.nationalmerit.org.

ACT-American College Testing Assessment-This is now part of the Michigan Merit Exam which ALL juniors are required to take in the spring of their junior year. This is the most commonly used standardized test used for college admission in the Midwest. A student may choose to retake the ACT. Theeasiest way to register is on-line at: www.actstudent.org.

Fee: $36.50
$52.50 w/writing

Advice: There are many ways to study for the ACT. The Guidance Office has study booklets from ACT and www.actstudent.org has free practice tests.

SAT-Scholastic Aptitude Test-Popular standardized test used for college admission (NOT all colleges require). You can take the widely used reasoning tests or specific subject tests. Subject tests may be required by your college for placement. Register on-line: www.collegeboard.com

Fee: Reasoning test $51.00
SAT Dates

*The late registration deadline is one week earlier if you are registering by mail.

***Both ACT and SAT will allow for accommodations (i.e. extended time…) if there is a documented disability (IEP). There are forms in the Guidance Office and/or online that need to be filled out to request this.

Advice: If you don’t know which college you will be attending, and therefore do not know which test is required for admission, take both the ACT and SAT. Smaller colleges, for example Bay de Noc, require that the student only take the COMPASS. They don’t require the ACT or SAT. Check your college’s website for admission requirements.

Typical scores needed for college admission (use as a guideline):

College type: ACT average:

Open 16-21

Traditional 18-24

Selective 21-26

Highly selective 25-30+

The ACT scores range from 1-36.

FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid-All colleges require this for students applying for financial aid. It is to be submitted AFTER January 1. There will be parent/student Financial Aid night at the school in February that will help answer your questions.

CSS PROFILE-Administered by the College Scholarship Service (CSS) to award nonfederal student aid funds. It is required by many private colleges and universities. This is the second most commonly required financial aid form. It is submitted in the fall of the senior year.