Test Prep + Wednesday = Crusader ACT Scores On The Rise!

img_0899Four years ago, Brother Martin answered the challenge to increase ACT scores by implementing a weekly class to teach ACT and PSAT test-taking skills and strategies every Wednesday.  In conjunction with Cambridge Testing, Mrs. Jill Gomez, our test prep coordinator, first created a curricula for grades 8-11, then provided instruction for our classroom teachers. Faculty members teach one of the four skill areas: math, English, reading and science. Teachers rotate every three weeks, with the same group of students, so that each student has exposure to all four content areas and so that the strategies taught are specific to the skill level of that particular group of students.

Since its inception, Brother Martin’s ACT scores have dramatically increased. According to ACT Profile Report, our graduating seniors from  the years 2012-2016 who have met ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks have increased over 2% in English and mathematics, over 10% in reading and science. College Readiness Benchmarks According to ACT Research and  Policy Information Brief, “the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks are the minimum ACT® college readiness assessment scores required for students to have a high probability of success in credit-bearing college courses—English Composition, social sciences courses, college algebra, or biology.” The success of Test Prep culminates in a student’s standardized test scores– Brother Martin is consistently meeting or exceeding both state and national averages. Test Prep provides opportunities for our students to gain acceptance to the college of their choice.

Honors Graduates’ Mean ACT Scores

Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016
English 31.8 31.1 31.8
Mathematics 29.2 29.8 29.7
Reading 29.7 30.3 31.1
Science 28.9 30.3 29.5
Composite 29.2 30.1 30.0

 

Mean ACT Scores

Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016
English 25.5 25.4 26.0
Mathematics 23.8 24.3 24.3
Reading 25.1 25.2 26.0
Science 24.2 24.5 24.9
Composite 24.2 24.4 24.9

 

Brother Martin ACT Scores

School year BMHS State Nation
2012-2013 24.9 (honors 30.2) 19.5 20.9
2013-2014 24.2 (honors 29.2) 19.2 21.0
2014-2015 24.4 (honors 30.1) 19.4 21.0
2015-2016 24.9 (honors 30.0) 19.5 20.8