Preparing for the ACT Test

1. General Preparation for the ACT Tests

Test-Taking Strategies Multiple-choice test in four areas: English, Math, Reading, Science 4-5 choices for each question Choice the correct, or best answer

Pace Yourself Time limits should give nearly everyone enough time to finish Pace yourself on the English, Reading, and Science Don’t spend too much time on one passage Math Don’t spend too much time on one question. Skip through all the questions. Come back if you have time.

Read the directions for each test carefully. English, reading, and science ask for the “best” answer. Read and consider all answer choices Choose the best answer MATH Test asks for the “correct” answer. Be sure you understand the type of answer required

Read each Question Carefully Understand what each question asks Does the question require several steps? Can the question be answered quickly?

Answer the easy questions first. Scan the entire test Answer the questions you can answer quickly Get all the way through the test Go back and spend time on questions you think you can answer. Use a marking system. / done 0 maybe . Hard

Use logic on more difficult question. Eliminate incorrect answers Compare remaining answer choices for similarities/differences Differences my provide clues to question requirements Finally, make an educated guess

ANSWER EVERY QUESTION! Score based only on number correct NO penalty for guessing ANSWER EVERY QUESTION

Review your work If you have time left, go back and review

Be precise in Marking your answer document Fill in the correct ovals Check answer number with question number Mark only ONE response for each question

Erase Completely Use a soft eraser Do not cross out answers Do not use correction fluid

Preparing for Test Day Take the practice tests in order and review your responses Get plenty of rest the night before Review the “Test Day Checklist” at www.actstudent.org BRING the following items with you: Your paper ticket Acceptable photo ID Sharpened No. 2 pencils and good erasers A watch-no alarm A calculator-check ww.actstudent.org for policy

2. Strategies for Taking the ACT Tests Familiarize yourself with the content of the tests Note content areas that comprise major portions of the test Refresh your knowledge and skills in the content areas Review content that is not fresh in your mind Spend time on content that is used most on test Identify the content areas you have not studied Take courses in these areas “cram” sessions will not be beneficial

ENGLISH 75 questions, 45 minutes 3 areas Understanding of conventions of standard English – punctuation, usage, sentence structure Production of writing – topic development, organization, unity and cohesion Knowledge of language – word choice, style, and tone

5 passages, each accompanied by multiple-choice questions Some questions refer to underlined portions of the passage and offer several alternatives to the underlined portion. You decide which choice is most appropriate in the context of the passage. Some question ask about an underlined portion, a section of the passage, or the passage as a whole. You decide which choice best answers the question posed. Many questions offer “NO CHANGE” to the passage as one of the choices.

Cont. Different passage types are used to provide a variety of rhetorical situations. Passages are chosen to reflect students’ interests and experiences. Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of grammar rules are NOT tested.

Cont. 4 scores reported for the English test Total test score based on all 75 questions Three reporting category scores based on specific knowledge Production of Writing Knowledge of Language Conventions of Standard English

Tips for English Pace yourself 1.5 minutes skimming passage 30 seconds/question Be aware of the writing style used in each passage Understand the context of the question Consider how underlined portion fits in to the passage Examine the underlined portions of the passage Question may be about element of writing, tone or emphasis Question may ask for alternative that is NOT or LEAST acceptable

Cont. Be aware of questions with no underlined portions Identified by a question number in a box located at the appropriate point in the passage Question about entire passage are at the end of the passage Note the differences in the answer choices be careful not to select an answer that corrects one error but causes another Determine the best answer Reread the sentence substituting each of the possible answer choices Decide how the underlined portion might best be phrased in standard written English Reread the sentence, using your selected answer.

English Content 1. Production of Writing (29-32%) Organization, Unity, and Cohesion Logically organized, Flows smoothly Effective introduction and conclusion Topic Development Demonstrate understanding of, and control over. The rhetorical aspects of texts Identify the purposes of parts of texts Determine whether a text or part of a text has met its intended goal, Evaluate the relevance of material

Cont. Knowledge of Language (13-19%) Demonstrate effective language use through ensuring precision and concision in word choice and maintaining consistency in style and tone.

Cont. Conventions of Standard English (51-56%) Sentence Structure and Formation Apply to a text Make revisions Punctuation Recognize common problems Usage

MATH 60-questions, 60-minutes Require you to reason to solve practical problems Knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills are assumed Complex formulas and extensive computation is not required

9 scores reported for math Total score based on all 60 questions and eight reporting categories Preparing for Higher Mathematics Number and Quantity Algebra Functions Geometry Statistics and Probability Integrating Essential Skills Modeling

Math Tips Pace yourself Use calculator wisely Solve the problem 1 min/question Use calculator wisely Questions can be done without calculator Solve the problem Working backward takes more time Locate your solution If your answer is not there: Reread question Can your answer be written differently?

Cont. Me sure you answer the question Answer must be reasonable Wrong answer choices focus on incomplete solutions Answer must be reasonable Check your work

Math Content Preparing for Higher Math (57-60%) Number and Quantity (7-10%) Real and complex number systems Numerical quantities in integer, rational exponents, vectors, matrices Algebra (12-15%) Solve, graph, model expressions Linear, polynomial, radical, and exponential relationships Systems of equations applications

Cont. Functions (12-15%) Geometry (12-15%) Definition, notation, representation, and application Linear, radical, piecewise, polynomial , and logarithmic Geometry (12-15%) Define and apply knowledge Shapes, solids, congruence, similarity, surface area, volume Composition of objects Missing values in triangles, circles, etc.. Trigonometric ratios, conic sections

Cont. Integrating Essential Skills (40-43%) Statistics and Probability (8-12%) Describe center and spread of distribution Apply and analyze data collection methods Understand and model relationships in bivariate data Calculate probabilities Integrating Essential Skills (40-43%) Rates and percentages Proportional relationships Area, surface, area, and volume Average and median

Cont. Modeling (>25%) Producing interpreting, understanding, evaluating, and improving models

READING TEST 40 questions, 35-minutes Measures reading comprehension Must derive meaning from text by: Referring to what is explicitly stated Reasoning to determine implicit meanings

Cont. Use referring and reasoning skills to: Determine main ideas Locate and interpret significant details Understand sequences of events Make comparisons Comprehend cause-effect relationships Determine the meaning of context-dependent words, phrases, and statements Draw generalizations Analyze the author's or narrator’s voice and method

Cont. Four sections Four scores: 3 contain one long prose passage 1 contains 2 shorter prose passages Four scores: Total test score based on all 40 questions Three reporting category scores Key Ideas and Details Craft and Structure Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

Tips for Reading Test 2-3 minutes reading passage yields 35 seconds/question Try to spend less time reading and answering questions Give more time to reviewing your work Read passage carefully Read entire passage before answering questions Make notes in the test booklet Refer to the passage when answering the questions

Reading Content Key Ideas and Details (55-60%) Determine central ideas and themes Summarize information and ideas accurately Understand relationships and draw logical inferences Understand sequential comparative Cause-effect relationships

Cont. Craft and Structure (25-30%) Word and phrase meanings Analyze author’s word choice rhetorically Analyze text structure Understand authorial purpose Interpret authorial decisions Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (13-18%) Differentiate between facts and opinions Use evidence to make connections between different texts Analyze how authors construct arguments

Science Test 40 questions, 35 minutes Interpretation Analysis Evaluation Reasoning Problem-solving skills

Cont. Scientific information conveyed 3 formats Data representation Graphs Tables Other schematic forms Research summaries Descriptions of related experiments Conflicting viewpoints Expressions of related hypotheses

Tips for Science Test Pace yourself Read the passage carefully 2 minutes reading passage 30 seconds/question Read the passage carefully Read entire text Examine tables and graphs Information describing experiments Design Controls/variables Note different viewpoints

Science Content Stresses science skills and practices over recall of content or math skills Biology Chemistry Earth/space sciences Geology Astronomy meteorology Physics

Cont. Interpretation of Data (45-55%) Manipulate and analyze scientific data presented in tables, graph, and diagrams Recognize trends in data Translate tabular data into graphs Interpolate and extrapolate Reason mathematically

Cont. Scientific Investigation (20-30%) Understand experimental tools, procedures, and design Identify variables and controls Compare, extend, and modify experiments Predict the results of additional trials Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results (25-35%) Judge the validity of scientific information and formulate conclusions and predictions Determine which explanation for a scientific phenomenon is supported by new findings

Passage Formats on the Science Test Data Representation (30-40%) Graph reading Interpretation of scatterplots Interpretation of information presented in tables Research Summaries (45-55%) Design of experiments Interpretation of experimental results Conflicting Viewpoints (15-20%) Understanding analysis Comparison of alternative viewpoints

3. What to Expect on Test Day MUST HAVE Paper ticket Photo ID

In the Test Room Assigned seat Cannot leave the room Only pencils, erasers, calculator, and ticket on desk All personal belongings away No tobacco Bo food/drink-not even water Must be present at 8:00 Follow all directions

Prohibited Behavior You cannot alter a response or continue writing after time has been called You cannot give or receive assistance Cannot use highlight pens, colored, pens or pencils, notes, dictionaries, or scratch paper Cannot have an alarm to sound Cannot remove any materials from the test room Cannot discuss the test questions or responses-even during break No eating, drinking, tobacco, or reading

4. Taking the Practice Tests We will take practice tests in class We will not be able to do an entire test any one day but we will try to simulate as close as possible the testing time.

ACT Prep You will be given 4 test grades and 9 quiz grades each 9 weeks Most of the tests, maybe all of them will be open notes TAKE NOTES This is YOUR time to improve YOUR ACT score, please use it wisely