The ACT Test Cost

The ACT, a college entrance exam run by American College Testing, is one of the two major college entrance exams for U.S. schools. The ACT is the most widely accepted or preferred entrance exam in the United States. In 2007, the ACT reported that every four-year college in America accepted the test as part of its admissions review.

Typical costs:

The test costs $33. Some colleges require applicants to also take the writing portion, which costs an additional $15. Students who are applying to more than four colleges will pay an extra $10 each to send scores to a fifth and sixth college. Self-guided test preparation programs are relatively inexpensive ways to prepare for the test. Online preparation on the ACT's official website costs $19.95; the ACT's official test guide costs $30.95. Other ACT guides can cost as little as $9.99. ACT preparation classes can be more expensive, but they offer an individualized approach to preparing for the exam. Classes can cost $500 -$900; individual tutoring can cost more than $100 an hour and generally involves at least 20 hours of tutoring. Kaplan and The Princeton Review are the two leading sources of classes and tutoring. Other national and local tutoring companies offer ACT preparation services, as do some online-only companies. Some community colleges also offer test-preparation courses. Tutoring includes at least 20 hours of individual guidance on how to improve scores in specific subject areas and more flexible scheduling. Individual tutoring can cost more than $100 an hour and generally involves at least 20 hours of tutoring. Kaplan and The Princeton Review are the two leading sources of classes and tutoring. What should be included:

The ACT is more extensively based on testing what students have learned in high school than the SAT, which assesses critical thinking skills. The $33 test fee includes the basic test, a score report for the student's high school and distribution of scores to up to four colleges or universities. Test prep classes, such as those offered by Kaplan or Princeton Review, include at least 15 hours of instruction, classroom-setting mentoring on test taking strategies and in-class reviews of practice tests. Many classroom programs include score improvement guarantees. Additional costs:

Other ACT registration fees include late registration, which is $21, standby testing, which is $41; and test center or date changes, both of which cost $20. Discounts:

The ACT offers fee waivers for students with financial need. Students should contact their high school counselors for information about fee waivers. Used ACT guides can be found on websites like Powell's Books for about $10. Shopping for the act test:

High school guidance counselors can offer advice about preparing for the ACT. Another resource could be the admissions office at a college or university. Students working or volunteering in the office might have had experience with prep programs. Consider online classes and tutoring, which are also offered by some test preparation companies. They can offer scheduling flexibility and a more relaxed studying environment. Companies offering ACT test preparation include The Princeton Review and Kaplan. Check local community colleges to see if they offer ACT preparation courses.

Dream Act opponents pass first test

Organizers of a petition to repeal Maryland’s Dream Act notched an important victory Tuesday, as they received an official go-ahead to continue their signature drive through the end of June.
The state Board of Elections confirmed Tuesday morning it has validated more than 21,000 signatures on the petition to block the law allowing in-state tuition for some illegal immigrants.
Petitioners were required to turn in at least 18,579 valid signatures from registered voters by May 31, in order to continue working toward a final goal of 55,736 signatures by June 30.
If the petitioners satisfy both requirements, the Dream Act would be suspended and decided by a November 2012 statewide vote.
The Dream Act was passed in April by the General Assembly and would allow in-state tuition rates for many college-aged illegal immigrants who come from tax-paying families. It is scheduled to go into effect on July 1.
Petitioners turned in more than 58,000 signatures to election officials on May 31, less than half of which had been reviewed as of Tuesday morning. A count posted shortly after 10 a.m. on the state Board of Elections‘ website showed 21,919 signatures had been validated, while 3,723 had been rejected.

Passing ACT or SAT Writing Test

What do the letters "SAT" and "ACT" stand for?

The answer in each case is nothing. Originally known as the Scholastic Achievement Test, the SAT became an Aptitude Test in 1941 and an Assessment Test in 1990. Finally, in 1994, the name was officially changed to SAT (or, in full, SAT Reasoning Test), with the letters signifying nothing. Two years later, American College Testing followed suit and changed the name of its test to plain old ACT.
How meaningful the tests themselves might be and what they actually measure are subjects of ongoing debate. One thing we do know is that your scores on the SAT or the ACT may determine whether you're admitted to the college of your choice. Another thing we know is that each test includes a timed essay.

Before the Exam

In the weeks leading up to the exam, the most important way to prepare for the essay is to write. "Practice writing different kinds of texts," is the advice offered by the ACT, "for different purposes, with different audiences in mind."
In addition, you should visit the ACT and SAT websites to understand what graders will be looking for.

• Tips for Taking the ACT Writing Test
  Along with some sensible advice on how to build your writing skills, this ACT page offers a brief guide to planning, writing, and reviewing your essay in the time allowed. Just as useful are the six sample essays, ranging from weakest (an unorganized collection of general statements) to strongest (with "ample, specific and logical" support for all main ideas).
• The Essay (SAT)
  This SAT page at the College Board website includes some "important reminders" (basically, stay on topic and don't plagiarize). Like the ACT page, it provides a sample prompt with six sample essays. The top-rated essay is said to exhibit "outstanding critical thinking" as well as "clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas."

During the Exam

Composing under pressure (30 minutes for the ACT essay, 25 for the SAT) is probably not on your list of life's pleasures. Still, by the time you reach the testing center, you should be ready to write an effective short essay.
To help make sure that you use your limited time wisely, we've prepared a list of Ten Tips for Composing a Successful Essay for the SAT or ACT. The two most important bits of advice may also be the hardest to follow:

• Relax.
  When faced with a time limit, you may be tempted to try composing an essay before composing yourself. Resist that temptation. Breathe in, breathe out. Before writing, take a few minutes to read and think about the topic.
• Write to Inform, Not Impress.
  Write with the goal of showing what you know, not showing off. Don't use "big words" if you're unsure of their meanings. But do use specific words. And remember that lengthy sentences won't impress anyone if your key points are unclear.

You might also pick up a tip or two (at least indirectly) from this comic essay by Lubby Juggins, How to Write a Passing Essay for a Standardized Test.
Then, when you're done reading, start practicing. And please remember to drop us an e-mail when you're accepted to Yale on a full scholarship.

Www.ACT.org – ACT Test – Register Online, Send Scores, Get Practice Tests

Find out about the ACT Test at www.act.org. You will be able to register for the ACT Test online at this website. You can do this online if you want to take the ACT Test at an international test center. You can also sign up onlien if you want to take the test at a national test center. You can also request standby testing on the day of the test itself. However, if you are 13 years of age or younger, you have to mail in your registration packet.  You will also have to do this if you wish to pay by check or even if you want to pay with a money order. You can also ask for an arranged testing if you are not able to leave the home.
Once you have taken the test, you will also be able to send your scores online at the ACT Test website at www.act.org. You will be able to send your scores to other colleges and scholarship agencies.  This is on top of the ones that you already chose when you registered for the test.  You do have some options. You can either request this online or you can download a form and mail that in. You can also call.