ACT and SAT College Prep testing
Most students intending to apply to a four-year college will be required to take a college entrance exam, like the ACT or SAT, for college admission application reporting.
Regina encourages Juniors planning to pursue admissions for a 4-year college to take their first ACT test no later than the April test date. Sophomores are welcome to test this year, but it is not necessary. Students often find the most success after they have more English, Math and Science courses completed. Some students decide to take the ACT two to three times, but it is not necessary. Students who take the ACT more than three times usually don't see a marked increase in their scores after the third test.
For students intending to apply to a two-year community college, technical school or an apprenticeship program, the ACT or SAT may not be necessary. Kirkwood, for example, offers free testing through Accuplacer to help best place students in the correct classes. They do not need an ACT score for admission purposes.
For students intending to sign up for military service, they have prospective recruits take a different aptitude test, called the ASVAB. Ask your recruiter when the best time is to take that test.
Sign up process
Students sign up though the ACT or SAT company, not through Regina.
For the ACT: www.actstudent.org
For the SAT: www.collegeboard.org/sat
The initial sign up takes about 30-40 minutes. Mrs. Zoulek can help students walk through the sign up process if needed.
For information about seeking test accommodations or English Learner supports, see the special accommodations page.
Note: Regina is usually a testing site for the ACT tests in September, October, December, February and April, but not always. Staff who assist with proctoring the ACT are contractors with the ACT company. Quite often, it is Regina staff or Regina affiliates.
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Fee Waiver Option
Regina is granted a number of fee waivers for qualifying students who may not be able to pay for the ACT or SAT test. For example, a qualifying student can be granted 2 free ACT tests in their Junior and Senior years.
See Mrs. Zoulek for more information before you sign up for the test to get a fee waiver code.
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Preparing for the ACT or SAT
On their websites, there are several tools for ACT prep, including practice tests, etc. There is also a free booklet outside the Student Services Office that gives details about the test and has groups of test questions for practice.
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ACT Test Prep Seminar at Regina
Regina hosts an ACT test prep seminar in late winter. It is a one-day event offered by ZAPS Doorway to College. Regina's seminar is typically schedules for the third Monday in January (MLK Jr. Day). Check the Weekly Regal and announcements for updates. Sign up at www.doorwaytocollege.com
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Other local ACT Test Prep Options
Sylvan Learning Center and Club Z tutoring have more intensive in-person test prep seminars.
Doorway to College may also offer other seminars at other schools that may be open to outside students.
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Online Test Prep Resources
(These are not endorsed by Regina or it's staff. This is only a resource option list.)
Learning Express ACT and SAT Test prep from Iowa.gov
https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
http://www.chegg.com/test-prep/sat
2400 Expert: https://prepexpert.com/
https://inspirica.com/contact/rapid-prep-on-us/
SAT Test Prep Apps:
SAT Prep: Practice Tests, Flashcards, Quizzes (from Varsity Tutors)
SAT Test Prep (from Magoosh)
And several other options, based on your phone platform
ACT Test Prep websites:
http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/
http://www.chegg.com/test-prep/act
ACT Test Prep Apps:
ACT online prep (from ACT)
ACT Prep: Practice Tests, Flashcards, Quizzes (from Varsity Tutors)
ACT Test (from quizworld)
And several other options, based on your phone platform
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THE DAY OF THE TEST
Bring your printed ticket and an original photo identification card (School ID Card, Driver's License, etc.) and 2 or more #2 pencils (not mechanical). You may also bring a calculator. Check actstudent.org for a list of prohibited calculators. No food or drink will be allowed in the testing room, but you may bring a bag with snacks in it and leave it outside the testing room to access during break.
LEAVE YOUR PHONES AT HOME OR IN YOUR CAR. You don't want to run the risk of it going off during a test and you having to be dismissed.