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Michigan
Education & Schools
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Understanding College Placement Tests - MME,
ACT, SAT, PSAT, SAT Subject Tests and AccuPlacer
Michigan Merit Exam - MME
The Michigan Merit Exam is a series of standardized tests administered to Michigan students at the end of their junior year, or occasionally at the end of senior year. The MME test a range of subjects including academic subjects such as mathematics, science, and social studies, the WorkKeys® job skills assessment, and the ACT Plus Writing® college entrance exam. Your score on the ACT Plus Writing® college entrance examination can be used for your college applications.
The MME (including the ACT Plus Writing®) is administered once a year in March. Most students take the test at the end of their junior year. Certain eligible students may take the test at the end of their senior year. Public schools in Michigan offer the MME onsite. Other schools may have an alternative testing location. Your guidance office will have the best answers on how your school administers the MME – make sure to check with your counselors.
 ACT
 The ACT® is a subject-based standardized test that many colleges require for admission, much like the SAT®. The test is completed with paper and pencil, and may be submitted in place of the SAT® at all colleges and universities. Unlike the SAT®, the ACT® focuses on subject-based questioning. High school students around the country take the test, usually in their junior or senior year. The test is administered six times per year.
Students usually take the test in the spring of their junior year so that if they need to retake the test, they can do so in the fall of their senior year before college applications are due. Since the test is offered six times throughout a given school year, it is relatively easy to fit into your schedule. A fee of $21.00 applies for any late registrations.
SAT
The SAT® is a standardized paper-and-pencil test administered by The College Board that measures your critical thinking skills. It tests your ability to analyze and solve problems in Math, Critical Reading and Writing. The test is based more on reasoning than specific knowledge. The SAT® is widely accepted by college admissions offices as application criteria.
Students usually take the test in the spring of their junior year so that if they need to retake the test, they can do so in the fall of their senior year before college applications are due. Since the test is offered seven times through a given school year, it is possible to take it at your convenience.
PSAT
The PSAT® is a preliminary SAT®, or a practice SAT®, for students to get more familiar with the test, hone test taking strategies and also get an idea of their strengths and weaknesses on the test material. The PSAT® is also used to qualify students for National Merit® Scholarships and other corporate and college-sponsored Merit® Scholarships. Through the PSAT®, African-American and Hispanic/Latino high schools students are also eligible for the National Achievement Scholarship Program. To learn more about these scholarships, visit
www.nationalmerit.org.
Both sophomores and juniors can take the PSAT®. Studies have shown that students that have taken the PSAT® do better on the SAT® than those that have not taken it and that juniors tend to do better than sophomores. The test is offered twice a year in the same week in October. Your guidance counselor can give you more information on registering and taking the test.
The bottom line is the PSAT® will not hurt your chances of getting accepted to a college, and could result in some scholarship money for college, so it is a good idea to take this test.
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SAT Subject Tests
While the SAT® test focuses on reasoning, SAT Subject Tests® focus on specific subjects. The tests are administered on the same day as the SAT®. There are more than 20 tests available, so knowing which ones you should take can get confusing, time consuming and expensive.
Schools that require the SAT Subject Tests® feel that they are an important indicator of your ability to succeed in college. They use the scores to make admissions and placement decisions. You should discuss your college plans with your counselor and determine which SAT Subject Tests® are right for you.
Make sure that you take the subject tests that are required by the colleges and universities you are applying to or attending. If there are optional tests, take them only if you will do well and submit your scores only if your score reflects positively on your knowledge. It doesn’t make sense to take the Chemistry test if you struggled to pass the course in high school. It is also recommended to take your subject tests soon after completing the relevant subject coursework. You wouldn't want to take the Biology subject test during your senior year if you took Biology as a freshman.
Most SAT Subject Tests® require specific knowledge and preparation beyond normal coursework. Language Subject Tests in particular are intended to be taken by students who have studied the language for a minimum of two years. If you decide to take a subject test, make sure you discuss your plans with your guidance counselor and your teacher in that subject to ensure your preparedness.
Accuplacer
Accuplacer® is a test often given to students to determine their readiness for college-level courses. Many students will take Accuplacer® to assess their skills in English Writing, Reading, and Math. Unlike many other tests, Accuplacer® is an adaptive test administered on computers. Many colleges will ask new students to take an Accuplacer® test to help place them in the proper courses, but some high school students may take the tests as well.
Accuplacer® tests are conducting by your advising or counseling office, and will require that you meet with a counselor to schedule a testing appointment.
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