PLAN Test

The PLAN test is a “pre-ACT” test typically administered to high school students in the fall of their sophomore year. In addition to predicting a student’s performance on the ACT, the PLAN test measures academic achievement in English, math, reading, and science. Read on for more specific details about the PLAN test.

PLAN Test Sections & Question Types

The PLAN test is comprised of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The breakdown for each section is as follows:

Section

# of Questions & Time Limit

Content/Skills Covered

Question Types

English

50 questions in 30 min.

grammar & usage, punctuation, sentence structure, strategy, organization, style

four-choice, multiple-choice usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills questions; section includes four prose passages with questions specific to each passage

Math

40 questions in 40 min.

pre-algebra, first-year plane geometry

five-choice, multiple-choice questions

Reading

25 questions in 20 min.

reading comprehension

four-choice, multiple-choice main idea, detail-oriented, vocab-in-context, and inference questions; section includes three prose passages (social sciences, humanities, and prose fiction) with questions specific to each passage

Science

30 questions in 25 min.

interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving

four-choice, multiple-choice data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints questions

TOTAL

145 questions in 2 hours, 5 min.

To view sample PLAN test questions, go to the PLAN test section of the ACT website.

PLAN Test Scoring

As with the ACT, students earn one point for each question answered correctly on the PLAN test. Students neither lose nor gain points for questions skipped or answered incorrectly. For each section, the number of questions answered correctly creates a student’s raw score. Each raw score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 1 to 32 (32 is the highest possible score). The four scaled scores are averaged to produce a student’s composite score. For example, if a student scores an 18 English, 20 Math, 20 Reading, and 18 Science, the student’s composite score is (18 + 20 + 20 + 18)/4 = 19.

Because the PLAN test serves as an ACT score predictor, a student’s PLAN test score report will include his or her estimated ACT composite score, which can range from 1 to 36 (36 is the highest possible score).

To view a sample PLAN test score report, go to the PLAN test website.

To view a PLAN Test Score/Estimated ACT Test Score comparison chart, go to the PLAN test website.

PLAN Test Dates & Registration

Individual schools or school systems decide if and when they will administer the PLAN test. If your child’s school offers the PLAN test, registration will take place through the school. Contact your child’s guidance or college counselor to find out if your child will have the opportunity to take the PLAN test.

Related Topics

  • Once your child has taken the PLAN test, the next step is to take the ACT. Visit our ACT Test page for details about the ACT.
  • Wondering when your child can take the ACT? Visit our ACT Test Dates page for upcoming test dates and registration deadlines.
  • Visit our ACT Registration page for information about how to register your child for the ACT.

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