EXPLORE, PSAT, PSAE, & PLAN Tests: College bound students, particularly those interested in the National Merit Scholarship program should be aware of these tests.  The EXPLORE (freshmen) and the PLAN (sophomores) serve as practice for the PSAE/ACT State Test given to all juniors.  The PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholar program for current juniors.  An orientation session is held each fall for the National Merit Scholarship Program and Examination.   Information Bulletins on these programs is available in the guidance office.

ACT, SAT I, and SAT II Admission Tests:  Bulletins describing these programs and applications are available in the Guidance Office.  It is the responsibility of the student to make application for tests during the appropriate registration periods.  Detailed instructions may be obtained from the student's counselor and from the bulletin board located near the Guidance Office. Information and sample tests for the ACT, SAT I and SAT II are available in the Career Guidance Center. Tuition waivers are available in limited numbers for students who cannot afford to pay the fees for ACT/SAT I testing.   Consider signing up for the ACT Test Preparation Course.  The course is usually offered in February or March before the spring test dates.   Contact your counselor for further information on these tests.

Current juniors who wish to be considered for the Illinois State Scholar Program must take the ACT or SAT I between September 1 and June 30 of their junior year.  ACT and SAT will automatically send the score to the Illinois State Scholar Program.

Advanced Placement (AP) Tests and CLEP Tests:  Students taking advanced courses may earn college credit by passing the AP test administered in May.  Information on these tests will be made available in the spring.  Students taking BHS classes designated as “AP” are strongly encouraged to take the exams.  Students in other classes with curricula close to the AP curricula should consider taking these tests.   The College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP) is another testing program that is administered at I.S.U.  See your counselor for more information on both of these programs.