January 26, 2007

LANSING - High school students who need an ACT score for possible admission to college can avoid paying the $29 registration fee by simply taking the new Michigan Merit Examination (MME).

The new state test for high school, offered at no cost to Michigan students in the high school graduating class of 2008 and beyond, includes an ACT element that is accepted by colleges and universities as a valid ACT score.

“There is no need for students to take both the Merit Exam and the ACT separately,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “By taking the Merit Exam, students receive a reportable ACT score and can avoid having to pay the ACT registration fee.”

Flanagan said the Merit Exam, to be first administered to high school juniors this March, replaces the high school Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests that have been administered since 1970.

The state will assume all costs related to two Merit Exam testing opportunities, usually in the spring of a student’s junior year and again in the fall of the senior year. A third testing opportunity exists, but would require a registration fee paid to ACT by the student.

“All public high schools are required to administer the Merit Exam this March,” said Flanagan. “And we are delighted that so many nonpublic high schools have also decided to test their own students.”

Nonpublic school students whose own school does not offer the Merit Exam, and who did not register by January 10 to test at one of eight Merit Exam Auxiliary Test Centers located throughout Michigan, may test as seniors in Fall 2007. Registration information for Fall 2007 Michigan Merit Exam Auxiliary Test Centers is available at www.michigan.gov/mme.