Topeka ? Kansas plans to buy 60,000 exams so that public schools can help eighth- and 10th-graders prepare for college or job training after high school.

The ACT Explore and ACT Plan tests are similar to the ACT college entrance exam and come from the same nonprofit organization.

The Kansas Department of Education says it will buy 30,000 of each exam with up to $555,000 in federal funds, so that schools won’t have to charge students who want to take them.

The ACT Explore exam is for eighth-graders and identifies their academic strengths and weaknesses. The ACT Plan is similar but can be used to help students decide on possible career paths.