For most students, thoughts and plans for higher education only begin as high school graduation nears. But as the competition to get into college (including public four-year colleges, and even some two-year community colleges) grows more fierce with every year, it’s important for students to make plans sooner rather than later. Wait too long and your spot at the college of your choice just may go to your neighbor in Chemistry class. If students want a competitive edge in today’s market, it’s critical to consider college placement exams such as the ACT well before your Senior year of high school.

Start by researching your school of choice to see which test is preferred, and to find out about minimum scores on either test that will be accepted for incoming freshmen. Most schools will offer a sliding scale measuring college placement exam scores against your grade point average (GPA) acquired in high school. In other words, if your GPA is high, your test scores may not need to be as great. Conversely, if your GPA isn’t as strong, your test scores will need to be higher in order to pick up the slack. Knowing where you fall on the scale should allow you to set goals for a minimum score needed on the placement exam.

It’s also important to know the differences between the ACT and the SAT if you plan to take either of them multiple times in an effort to increase your score. For the ACT test, a separate record for each test date is maintained. Only the report from the test date you choose will be forwarded to the school; or you may request that multiple reports from separate test dates be sent, but you cannot mix and match your scores from the various subject tests to create a new score report. To give yourself a better chance of increasing your scores on either exam, consider working with a private tutor. Taking sample practice tests, memorizing important concepts and mathematical formulas, and practicing your writing are all great ways to prepare for the test. A tutor can also assist with test taking strategies such as pacing, whether or not you should leave questions blank, and how to reduce test taking anxiety to ensure a successful attempt. For more information on ACT tutoring, contact Club Z! at 866-44-TUTOR or CLICK HERE to contact your local office regarding tutor availability and pricing. Registration information and test dates for the ACT can be found below.

To register visit http://www.actstudent.org/

Upcoming Test Dates are:

Next ACT Test Date:  June 12, 2010
Registration Deadline: May 7, 2010