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Parent / Student Q&A |
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CNNfyi.com will expire this article on 09/25/2003. |
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| What is the Reasoning Exam? |
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The REASONING EXAM is a three hour and 45 minute, primarily multiple-choice examination that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities.
Because of a surplus of applicants at many universities, the REASONING EXAM has become an important criterion for college admission. |
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The REASONING EXAM is scored on a scale from 200 to 800 for each of the Critical Reading, Writing and Math segments. 500 would represent a median score. Above 500 would be considered above average - below 500 would be considered below average.
However, because of the increasing competition for admission, particularly at elite schools, the minimum REASONING EXAM score requirements are often considerably above the median. Part of the research that should be pursued by a student and his or her family is to determine the standards at the colleges they are interested in attending.
This information can often be found in the schools' catalog. High school guidance offices are also a valuable resource for score interpretation. |
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| When should I take the Reasoning Exam? |
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| Because of early admission policies that have become common at many colleges, most college bound students take the REASONING EXAM in the spring of their junior year. Scores can be forwarded along with applications and the admission process expedited |
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| Should I take the Reasoning Exam more than once? |
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Perhaps more than any other question regarding the REASONING EXAM, this one poses the most complications. The prevailing idea is that students can improve scores with subsequent efforts. The reality is that this is not always the case. While some students increase scores, others experience reduced scores. Reasons for these results vary.
A more important consideration that is often neglected is how schools interpret multiple REASONING EXAM taking. Some schools look at the highest scores and accept those.
Others take an average of all REASONING EXAM attempts. Still others frown upon multiple attempts. The policy the school each student is interested in applying to should be determined in the research phase of the college application process.
The Horizons' answer to this question is simple - prepare using the proven Horizons' REASONING EXAM methods - take the exam once and get the score you need the first time! |
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| Should I report my Reasoning Exam scores to colleges before I see them? |
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Naturally, many students prefer to see their test results before they are sent to the college admission staff. This is a perfectly reasonable preference and students are free to exercise this option. However, all REASONING EXAM scores become part of each student’s permanent record.
If the student takes the REASONING EXAM on multiple occasions, all test scores are forwarded when the permanent record is forwarded to the school in which the student is applying. The ramifications from the previous question must be considered. |
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| When should I start preparing for the Reasoning Exam? |
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The purpose of the REASONING EXAM is to measure an individual student's reasoning capacity and project the likelihood of success at the post secondary level. Thus, there is a positive correlation between high REASONING EXAM scores and college graduation.
However, the method utilized by the College Board to obtain its REASONING EXAM results lends itself to considerable opportunity for preparation. The strategies for success on the REASONING EXAM are the basis of the Horizons preparation method. School districts universally administer the Practice Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) in the fall of students' junior year.
While this prelude to the REASONING EXAM is intended to give students an indication of their relative academic standing, what is not generally known is that PSAT scores are used as qualifiers for National Merit Scholarships. This means a high score can potentially result in scholarship money.
The Horizons' recommendation for students is to prepare seriously for the PSAT, either with the Horizons' PSAT or REASONING EXAM preparation courses.
The experience and success of a good PSAT experience will carry over to similar results on the REASONING EXAM. |
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| Why should I prepare for the Reasoning Exam with Horizons? |
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A 25-year company history; working relationships with school districts unparalleled in the industry; thousands of satisfied customers; an average 140 point REASONING EXAM test score increase; unrivaled value - these are among the reasons Horizons Education Services is the REASONING EXAM leader in Virginia.
Founded in 1980, Horizons has been helping students prepare to take the REASONING EXAM for more than two decades. The not for profit educational organization status allows Horizons to provide its services directly in schools throughout its service area. This access has allowed Horizons to develop alliances with and earn high regard from high school administrators, guidance staff and teachers throughout Virginia.
During its company history, Horizons has improved the REASONING EXAM scores of its many clients an average 140 points. These gains are often the difference between acceptance at the college of choice and merely enrolling at a school that will accept virtually anyone. At a price any family can afford, the Horizons Education Services REASONING EXAM preparation course represents offers tremendous value to serious, college aspirants. |
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| What are the Subject Tests? |
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In addition to the REASONING EXAM, many colleges are requiring scores on one or more SUBJECT TESTS as part of the admission process. The SUBJECT TESTS are subject specific - French, biology, US history - for example, among many others.
It is the responsibility of the student and his or her family to familiarize themselves with requirements the schools they are interested in have established.
The student must register for each SUBJECT TESTS separately. The College Board (collegeboard.com) is the principal source for dates and testing locations, and registration for all REASONING EXAMS. High school guidance staffs are another valuable resource for information.
A key bit of advice: start the process (research, visit, REASONING EXAM, SUBJECT TESTS, application) early. |
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| The ACT Assessment® is designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. Once primarily used as an admission criteria by colleges in the Western United States, the ACT (act.org) has become increasingly popular in the East. Many colleges now accept ACT scores from applicants |
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| What distinguishes the Reasoning Exam from the ACT? |
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This is a very difficult question to answer. Historic data series suggest a strong association between high REASONING EXAM or ACT scores and success in post-secondary studies. Both exams have the same purpose - to project the ability of individual high school students to succeed in college.
However, the methods employed by the respective exam authors differ considerably. From their own literature, the REASONING EXAM describes itself as a reasoning exam across two skill areas - Math and Verbal; the ACT measures academic achievement across four skill areas - English, mathematics, reading and science. |
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| Can a student prepare for the ACT? |
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Quoting ACT literature - "Preparation for college admission should begin in the eighth grade". Because the ACT more closely measures academic attainment, there is no substitute for a quality education. However, there are successful strategies that can be employed to maximize every student's potential.
Horizons Educational Services has introduced an ACT preparation course to meet the needs of students taking this critical exam. |
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