>>Acronyms to know
SAT – www.collegeboard.com
What it is: a standardized achievement test covering mathematics, reading comprehension, vocabulary writing and grammar skills.
How it works: one single test offered several times per year at local high schools/testing centres. Anyone can register online for this test.
ACT – www.act.org
What it is: a standardized achievement test coving mathematics, science, social science, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing and grammar.
How it works: one single test offered several times per year at local testing centres. Anyone can register online for this test.
AP – www.collegeboard.com
What it is: a series of subject-specific examinations (approximately 20 different ones) that measure specific content knowledge at the senior high school or first year university level
How it works: students must sign up for and write this test at a participating high school. Contact local public/private schools for permission to join. Schools are not required to allow you to write.
CLEP – www.collegeboard.com
What it is: a series of subject specific examinations intended to provide first year college (US) credits.
How it works: any student can write at any testing centre; however, the only testing centre in Canada is in BC and the closest one to Ontario is in Buffalo.
GED — www.ged.on.ca and www.ilc.org
What it is: a series of examinations in various subjects intended to provide a high school diploma equivalency.
How it works: exams are held by the Ministry of Education over a weekend (Friday night and Saturday).
NOTE: most universities do not consider this equivalency for admission purposes. It is usually accepted by employers who require proof of high school graduation.
AMDEC – www.amdec.on.ca
What it is: The Avon-Maitland District Public School Board’s Centre for Distance Education offering accredited Ontario high school courses for credit.
How it works: AMDEC courses are very similar to regular courses, only lessons are available online (on websites) and work is submitted by email or fax.Students are required to complete a minimum number of work units per course per month. Assignments, tests and exams are all usually required. Group projects may be required.
NOTE: These courses count as any regular high school credit courses. They are not equivalent to high school courses, they ARE the courses!
ILC – www.ilc.org
What it is: The Independent Learning Centre is the Ontario Ministry of Education’s official correspondence school. The ILC offers accredited Ontario high school courses for credit.
How it works: ILC courses are independent paper and pencil based correspondence courses where pre-printed lesson books are mailed (no direct teaching) and material is completed at the student’s own pace. Homework is submitted as it is completed (by mail or email) and may be marked by a different teacher each time. A supervised final exam is written at the end.
NOTE: These courses count as any regular high school credit courses. They are not equivalent to high school courses, they ARE the courses!