Checklists

10th Grade Checklist

Spring:

_____
Take TAKS Test – English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies

_____
Make course selections for junior year

_____
Apply to work program if applicable

_____
Investigate college requirements (online, college catalogs, Go Center)

_____
Begin a resume of activities, awards, community service, & etc.

_____
Begin talking to people about various career &college options

_____
Take THEA Test if taking any college classes during junior year (note exemptions)
TSI EXEMPTION CRITERIA

ACT:
23 or higher with minimum of 19 on both tests, English and Math

SAT:
1070 or higher with minimum of 500 on both tests

TAKS: 2200 on Math and /or English Language Arts with a 3 on the Writing, on the Exit Level TAKS test or the 10th
Grade TAKS Test
11th Grade
October
November
January
February
March
April
May
June
_____PSAT Test
_____College Fair at high school
_____Review and update 4-year graduation plan
_____Make course selections for senior year
_____Register for ACT/SAT
_____TAKS Exit Level – English Language Arts
_____Continue research on colleges
_____TAKS Exit Level – English Language Arts
_____ Plan spring college visits to more competitive colleges
_____Job Shadowing
_____TAKS Exit Level – Math
_____TAKS Exit Level – Science and Social Studies
_____AP test for AP English III
_____Summer school notification if needed
_____Take ACT/SAT
_____Take ACT/SAT
_____Take THEA if not exempt
_____Summer school
_____View perspective college campuses
_____Improve reading and vocabulary skills
______ Start working on a personal essay for college applications
July
_____Plan fall college visit(s)
_____TAKS exit exams for retesters
More Information about College
Admissions and Testing
 By review – for applicants not in the top ten percent. The entire application
will be reviewed to consider: college preparatory course work, class rank
and SAT/ACT scores, extra curricular activities, leadership qualities,
community/volunteer service work, awards and achievements, employment
and/or internships, and family educational background and household
income. Also, the student’s freshman admission essay is very important.
 ALERT!! TSI test scores are required before enrollment in any Texas
public college or university, unless the student is exempt.
Dual Credit Information
Dual credit refers to courses taught by NCTC in which students are eligible to receive college and high school credit
simultaneously. Eligibility is determined by test scores and:
-minimum of a “B” (2.0) high school grade point average
-must exhibit maturity and social behavior necessary to be enrolled in a college level course
-must be at least a junior in high school (12 credits)
To apply, follow these steps:
Complete a “Dual Credit Agreement” form. It must be signed by a parent, the student and a H.S. counselor or
designee.
Complete an Application for Admission, available on the website, www.nctc.edu or at www.applytexas.org.
Send an official high school transcript to NCTC admissions. See Mrs. Iltis at GHS to request a transcript.
Pay for tuition and fees. ( NCTC does honor free/reduced lunch qualification with free/reduced tuition waivers.)
Pay for books. (You may be able to buy a used book to cut costs.)
Apply for the Mabel & Leo Scott Dual Credit Scholarship online, or pick up an application in the GHS Counseling
Office.
It is a good idea to go to the NCTC website and read the dual credit information section before deciding to take dual
credit courses.
General Test Information for Dual
Credit
Test score requirements are:
THEA – Math 270, English 220 & 5 Essay, Reading 230
COMPASS – Math (Algebra) 63, English 59 & 5 Essay, Reading 81
TAKS – Math 2200, English 2200 & at least a 3 on the Essay
(10th grade scores expire at date of high school graduation)
SAT – 1070 and 500 in Math and 500 in Verbal
ACT – 23 Composite and 19 in Math and 19 in Verbal
How the test scores fit to the dual credit classes offered:
You must pass Reading to take history, government, psychology
or literature classes.
You must pass Math to take any college level math class.
You must pass Writing to take any college level English class.
By taking college classes during your junior and/or senior year of high
school, you could graduate from high school with 24 or more
hours of college credit!
Watch for a mandatory evening presentation on dual credit in
February at NCTC!
Students who qualify for free lunches need to submit a letter (free
lunch waiver) from the high school at the time of
registration.
Important Websites
Career and College Planning:
College Planning in and out of state:
www.tbecachievetexas.com
www.collegeboard.com - go to the college search,
also helpful with test prep
Password: “Steers” unless you specified
something different
Login is specific to you. If you are new, register
as a new student.
www.act.org - also helpful with test prep and college
searches
www.ycg.org - lots of information and personal stories
School Access Code: N3282367BWR
School Zip Code: 76450
Free Test Prep for ACT/SAT and others:
Career Projections through 2016:
www.number2.com
www.twc.state.tx.us
www.march2success.com - for the military tests, but
other tests as well
Where the Jobs are:
www.workintexas.com
Free Scholarship Searches:
www.fastweb.com
College Planning:
www.scholarship.com
www.collegefortexans.com
www.GenTX.org
Yes, you can.
Remember that there will always be
obstacles, but there are always
people and resources to help
overcome the obstacles.