In an effort to assist Hamilton High School students with educational and career planning, the EXPLORE test will be administered to all freshman and the PLAN test will be administered to all sophomores on Dec. 4. The test begins promptly at 7:20 a.m. and ends at approximately 10:45 a.m. Parents are reminded that attendance on this day is important and are asked to schedule all out-of-school appointments at another time.
The EXPLORE test assesses academic progress, helps students investigate the full range of career options, assists in developing a high school coursework plan, and provides practice on a test that is similar to college entrance exams. The EXPLORE is designed to measure educational development in four curricular areas: English, math, reading, and science. In addition, it serves as the entry point into ACT’s Educational Planning and Assessment System (EPAS). The other primary EPAS components are PLAN (mandatory in grade 10) and the ACT Assessment (college admissions).
The PLAN is a shortened version of the ACT and is designed to measure educational development in four curricular areas: English, math, reading, and science. It also includes an interest inventory that facilitates career and educational planning along with information about the core courses students have taken and plan to take. Students who take the PLAN test score an average of one to two points higher on the ACT and nearly all universities use ACT scores as one of the measures to determine admission.
Watch for the planning guide that will be distributed to students in late November. Please take time to read through the instructional booklet and discuss it with your child. If you have any questions, please contact the guidance department at (262) 246-6476.