TESTING FOR COLLEGE PREPARATION

• The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) test is usually offered every October at LCMHS and is typically taken by sophomores and juniors.
• The SAT and ACT tests are typically taken by juniors for the first time in the spring and seniors, again if needed, in the fall. Saturday SATs are not given at LCMHS; however, School-Day SATs will be given to seniors in September and to juniors and seniors in March.
• The TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Assessments help determine college-readiness by testing over reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is given at LCMHS.
• AP (Advanced Placement) tests are usually given in May. Scores on these AP tests determine how many college credits a student may be eligible for. They are given at LCMHS.
• ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Abilities Battery) test is given in October and helps sophomores, juniors, and seniors determine their vocational interests, which could be helpful for career planning. 

PSAT
The PSAT Test measures reading, writing and language, and math skills developed over many years, both in and out of school. The PSAT will be administered at LCM High School. October scores are received usually in December or January and show potential success in AP courses and helpful advice about when to take the SAT. Students who are interested in taking dual-enroll college courses as juniors/seniors can waive the TSI with college-ready PSAT scores.

Scores should be released to students mid-December. Be looking for an email around that date.

Juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) and meet program requirements may qualify for recognition and scholarships.  More information can be found at www.nationalmerit.org.

The PSAT will be administered at LCM High School on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Interested 10th and 11th grade students register to take the PSAT in the LCM High School counseling office by September 13, 2021. The test costs $18. Cash or checks are acceptable. If paying by check, it must have a correct address and phone number of the person who signed the check; make the check payable to LCM High School.  

PSAT Website

Official PSAT Student Guide

Sample PSAT Questions, 2 Practice Tests, Personalized Study with Khan Academy

PSAT Prep (Kaplan) 

PSAT Practice Tests are available in EBSCO Learning Express found on the LCMHS Library webpage (get login/password from Librarian). Click on Prepare for College. You can create an account inside Learning Express to save your work.

Kaplan's PSAT Prep Live. Free sessions recorded in January are currently available. Live lessons often start in October—just in time for those taking an October PSAT test. Stream must-know math, reading, and writing strategies. Save your seat! 

On Wednesday, October 13, students who pre-registered should report to their testing room before test start time. Test will BEGIN on time. Testing room rosters will be posted. The PSAT is administered just like the real SAT! COME PREPARED! 

Students SHOULD bring (a) two sharpened WOODEN #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils); (b) a scientific or graphing calculator (the kind used in your math classes).  Students may check out a calculator from a math teacher or from the library the day before the PSAT. (c) a sweater or light jacket in case the testing room is cold during testing. (All bags, backpacks, and other belongings will be placed along the wall.)

Students SHOULD NOT bring (a) Mechanical pencils; (b) Highlighters; (c) Food or drinks

Once you have taken the PSAT, you can link the results to Khan Academy to get FREE personalized practice for the SAT. 

SAT and ACT Tests

Register for the SAT: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-us-dates
Register for the ACT:  http://www.actstudent.org/

All high school juniors/seniors may take one School Day SAT for free. Income-eligible students may take two additional free SAT tests and two free ACT tests. See your guidance counselor for a fee waiver.

College-bound juniors and seniors who wish to take the SAT or ACT college entrance exams can pick up registration and practice materials in the Counseling Office. The LCM School Code needed for registration for the SAT and ACT is 445240.

Seniors who have not yet taken their SAT or ACT exam or who wish to take the exam again should plan to take them in the early fall of their senior year in order to meet college admission deadlines. Juniors are encouraged to take their SAT or ACT for the first time beginning the spring semester of their junior year (January-June).

SAT and ACT Practice Tests are available in EBSCO Learning Express found on the LCMHS Library webpage (get login/password from Librarian). Click on Prepare for College. You can create an account inside Learning Express to save your work.

2021-2022 SAT Test Dates

2021-2022 ACT Test Dates

TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Assessment

The TSI2 Assessment (TSIA2) is part of the Texas Success Initiative program designed to help a college or university determine if students are ready for college-level course work in the general areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. This program also will help determine what type of course or intervention will best meet each student's needs to help each become better prepared for college-level course work if not ready. Incoming college students in Texas are required to take the TSI2 Assessment — unless already exempt — to determine  readiness for college-level work. 

Students MUST present a photo ID when they report to the testing room.

• Video (YouTube) – TSI Assessment Description (of original TSI--still fairly accurate)
• Video (YouTube) – The Importance of the TSI Assessment

TSIA2 Resources link includes

• A FREE TSI Web-based Study App
• Student Information Brochure
• Sample TSI English Questions
• Sample TSI Math Questions
• Sample TSI Essay Test Guide with Sample Essays

Review Exercises / Practice TSI Tests:

• TSI2 Practice in Accuplacer (create your own account)
• Student Portal - Click on “Information for Students.” From the Student Portal you can:
  • Access tutorials for the highlighter, calculators, keyboard, and mouse so you can prepare for the test
  • Access and share your scores with institutions
• TSI2 Practice Tests (get login/password from Librarian or Ms. Brown in Counselors’ Office). Click on STAAR & TSI Prep → TSI Placement Test Preparation. You can create an account inside Learning Express to save your work.
• Free TSI2 Practice Tests (Updated for 2021)
• TSI2 Math Practice
• Online TSI Math Test Prep (not TSI2 when last checked – but has good math practice)

COLLEGE-READINESS SCORES
Interpreting What Your TSI2 Scores Mean

Scores on the TSI2 Assessment determine if a student is ready to take college-level courses. If college ready, a student may enroll in any related entry-level college course without having to take developmental courses or interventions. Test scores are good for five years. Students who have not passed both Reading and Writing prior to January 2021 will have to take the new English test.

Scores will be available immediately upon completion of the testing session. Students not reaching the college-ready scores above will have access to customized on-line learning.  A Learning Locator Code is generated at the conclusion of assessment that can be used to access TSIA2 Learning Resources. You may retake any or all sections of the TSI Assessment.

Students can now find your scores and share them with institutions through the Student Portal. Many colleges will provide forms/websites for students to complete to give the college permission to access the student’s TSI scores from the database. As this information becomes known, the links will appear below:

• Lamar University – TSI taken at other Testing location
• Texas State University – TSIA Score Search Request
• Tyler Junior College – Texas TSI Score Search
   

AP (Advanced Placement) Tests - College Course Equivalents
LCMHS offers the following AP tests in the spring: Calculus AB, Computer Science A, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Music Theory, Statistics, and U.S. Government and Politics. College Board AP Website

In 2015 the Texas Legislature passed a law (HB 1992) that affects the way that public colleges and universities award credit for AP tests.  The intent was to increase access to college credit and improve retention and graduation rates for students across the state by requiring credit for AP scores of 3 or higher.

What is AP?

Find colleges and universities that offer credit or placement for AP scores. Check each college or university's website for their current AP credit policy.

Students should consult their college academic advisor for advice on the number of credits that can be used in their degree program to avoid excessive credit accumulation.

In 2019-2020, College Board changed its procedures and deadlines for ordering our AP exams. Students who are planning to take AP exams must now register in November instead of March. 

Therefore, students enrolled in AP courses who are planning to take AP exams must sign up by November 12, 2020, with Ms. Childress in the counseling office. The cost is $95 per AP exam or, for students who are eligible for free or reduced meals, $21 per AP exam. Usually, students who register after the November 12 deadline through March 12 ;will be charged an additional $40 fee for late ordering. These deadlines, prices, and fees are set by College Board, not LCM. We must adhere to them to order our tests and cover their costs. 

AP Practice Tests are available in EBSCO Learning Express found on the LCMHS Library webpage (get login/password from Librarian). Click on Prepare for College. You can create an account inside Learning Express to save your work.

2021-2022 Dates
Most tests will begin at 8 a.m. (other than Statistics)

ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Abilities Battery, or ASVAB (paper/pencil version), will be offered at LCM High School on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. The ASVAB is a FREE test for sophomores, juniors, and seniors to help students determine their vocational and career interests. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in taking the ASVAB for military purposes may also do so on this date. 

Interested students must sign up in the Counseling Office by October 12. The results from the test can be imported into the ASVAB Career Exploration Program, which can help students find out how interests and skills relate to the demands of more than 400 occupations.

Participation in the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) is voluntary and you will NOT be contacted by the military unless you/your parents sign an Opt-In Release form. However, talking with a recruiter does not mean students have to enlist in the Armed Forces.

The ASVAB Career Exloration Program is made up of three components:

• ASVAB: The aptitude test estimates your performance in academic and vocational endeavors.
• FYI: The interest inventory measures your work-related interests.
• OCCU-Find: A career catalog provides activities to help you put a plan together.

Once the school receives the student results, an ASVAB CEP representative will interpret the results and on Monday, November 8, 2021, will be on campus to help students to understand how their skills, interests, and values will assist them as they plan for college and their future in the world of work.

Students gain access to exclusive career exploration tools after they receive their scores. Then, they can independently explore any careers that interest them, including those found in the Military.
 

ASVAB Career Exploration Program Fact Sheet

Try some sample online ASVAB Questions

ASVAB Practice Test Online

ASVAB Practice Tests are available in EBSCO Learning Express found on the LCMHS Library webpage (get login/password from Librarian). Click on Career Exploration → Enter the Military. You can create an account inside Learning Express to save your work.

More Info on Testing, College Planning & Applications, Scholarships, Military, NCAA, etc.