In place of the aptitude test ninth grade students took last year, BSM has decided to give freshmen a baseline test. This test, also known as the ACT Explore test, is the same test given to eighth graders for high-school class placement. The results of this first ACT installment test compare the school’s results to those of the state and national levels, thus giving BSM an idea of the areas needing improvement. The curriculum is adjusted according to the test scores and the proof of improvement can be seen in the second ACT pretest results: the sophomore PLAN test. “We are trying to bring kids to the point where they can get the best ACT test score possible,” principal Dr. Sue Skinner said.