ACT Plan & Explore

I recently did a review on the ACT’s internet based career guidance system, Discover. You can check that out here. ACT also sent me two other items to review. Explore and Plan.

Explore is an assessment test meant for 8th or 9th graders. This is a test designed for homeschoolers to administer to their students to make sure they are on the mark for their grade. I like the idea of occasional testing for my students, not necessarily to compare them to the national norms, which the ACT tests do, but to simply check for personal improvement or progress. That is why I like the idea of the second test.

The Plan test is administered in 10 grade to make sure the student is on par for graduation, but early enough in the High School career that there is time to alter their academic focus if that is necessary. If the Explore test is taken in 8th and then the Plan is taken in 10th, I think the outcome of these two tests will give the homeschooled student and parent a very good idea where the student is academically and give them pointers as to where they may need to focus some more energy before college.

Both of the tests cover these four core subject areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.

The EXPLORE for Homeschool packet comes with the following items:
• Testing booklet titled Sample Test Booklet and Answer Sheet
• Using Your EXPLORE Results brochure—a brief overview of score results and the process
• College Readiness Standards handbook—a handbook that provides ideas for progress in each subject to prepare students for college or the workforce

The price is $22.95 each.


The PLAN for Homeschool packet comes with the following items:
• Testing booklet titled Sample Test Booklet and Answer Sheet
• Using Your PLAN Results brochure—a brief overview of score results and the process
• College Readiness Standards handbook—a handbook that provides ideas for progress in each subject to prepare students for college or the workforce

The Price is $22.95 each.


Both of these tests came in very handy for my highschoolers and gave me some idea of what areas we needed to focus on, especially for Bob, my 9th grader. Honestly, the test didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know. As the mom and teacher, I know where my children’s strengths and weaknesses are academically, but it was helpful for me to have that confirmed.

You can go here to read more about all the programs ACT offers and as always you can click on the icon below to see what other Crew Members had to say about ACT.

Happy Homeschooling!