<p>Curm, Thank you for this article. Even though the SAT has changed in recent years, so it is a bit outdated, I guess the concordance table can give one a better idea of how their child performed between the two tests.</p>
<p>I wish it was more current also but as you can tell , collegeboard has it on their site as the definitive research. They obviously feel no need to be in a hurry about doing anything this century and are satisfied with the table they have.</p>
<p>My son did much better on his PLAN and his ACT. His SAT score was mediocre- under 1250- his ACT was a 31. He studied for the ACT- about one week. I think they are different types of tests and show better for different types of kids.</p>
<p>fourkidsmom, that is a very big difference, and I think that can make a difference in college admissions and/or merit aid.</p>
<p>Does this mean some of you have received the results for this year's (Dec 07) PLAN test? Still haven't seen those results for the sophomore in this house. We're curious, as well, to compare to the PSAT our soph took.</p>
<p>vulture, yes, this is what I am talking about. Our hs just got the scores back last week.</p>
<p>Make sure when comparing PSAT to PLAN that you use the percentiles for SOPHOMORES on the PSAT. You can't really do a direct comparison like you would be able to do if the PSAT was taken junior year. It would be best to compare the PSAT sophomore percentile to the PLAN percentile & then you'll get a better feel for which test your child is likely to score better on (if you want to concentrate on one test or the other).</p>
<p>Kelsmom, apparently one cannot compare percentiles. I thought that one could do that. The problem is that the PSAT is apparently not a required test by any state. The PLAN is apparently required in a few states (not sure, but someone told me that perhaps: Ill., Co., and they were less certain about Michigan requiring it of all 10th graders). The PLAN test takers might not all be college bound (although the PLAN defines its percentiles as that of "college bound" students). PSAT test takers might be more likely to be college bound because the student is taking the test voluntarily (apparently no state mandates the PSAT).</p>
<p>I don't think MI requires it. My D & S were at 2 different schools & both took during school. However, I sub in another high school, and I don't recall the kids taking it in school.</p>
<p>You are right, though, about the difference in the test takers. I hadn't thought about that. I would think that the PSAT takers who are sophomores would be more motivated students than the PLAN takers, if only because they are taking it a full year before they should be. So, yeah, you're right ... no real way to compare. I guess the only way to know which test a kids will do better on is to have him/her take both!</p>
<p>kelsmom, MI might not require it. The person who I spoke with was unsure. I did look into Illinois. Apparently every 10th grader is required to take the PLAN there (at least in the public schools). I stopped reading after I found that information. This was enough for me to understand that the percentiles just cannot be compared.</p>
<p>ACT averages (2004) state by state:</p>
<p>I will be really interested to see MI's score in a couple years. Starting with last year's juniors, ALL MI kids have to take ACT. It is actually a part of the state merit scholarship requirements, but it is also tied into NCLB ... so districts are beginning to require it as condition of graduation. I am willing to bet that state average will go down as a result. That really has nothing to do with anything. Just me musing & wondering! :)</p>
<p>I did find the charts through 2007 & the percent of students tested is still pretty much the same as it has been (and scores haven't differed). I guess it will be a couple more years before every school gets all of its juniors tested.</p>