Writing MC Questions at the High School Level Targeting both KCCT and ACT KASC Conference 9/29/ 2008 Taylora Schlosser

Know the CATS Test ContentTimingScoring Mathematics*N, A, P, D Science*N, A, P, D Social Studies*N, A, P, D Arts & Humanities*N, A, P, D Reading*N, A, P, D Practical Living/Vocational Studies*N, A, P, D *N=Novice A=Apprentice P=Proficient D= Distinguished

Know the ACT SectionsTimingScoring English45 min.1-36 Math60 min.1-36 Reading35 min.1-36 Science Reasoning35 min.1-36 Total3 hrs

What’s on the tests? CATS Each of the six/seven content tests is based on the Kentucky Core Content 4.1 Each of the six/seven content tests includes several sub domains Levels of content DOK 1, 2, 3, & 4 (see KYCC4.1) ACT Each of the four/five content tests is based on ACT College Readiness Standards (see handout) Each of the four/five tests includes several content areas Levels of content from 1-36

CATS Assessment Questions Multiple Choice Questions that are written at DOK 1, 2, & 3 See KASC Handout –Use this handout when writing both CATS Q/ACT Q. (ACT Questions are written using the same verbs as DOK 1, 2, 3) Open Response Questions (not on ACT)

For CATS we have the Core Content and Program of Studies. Now lets look at the ACT….what are the big ticket items on each section? What is assessed in each content area?

ACT

1. Conventions of English  Grammar  Usage  Mechanics 2. Style  Brevity  Word choice  Relevance 3. Organization  Sentence Choice  Sentence Order  Paragraph Order What is on the English test?

Spelling Quotation Marks Diagramming Reading Comprehension Grammar Terms Vocabulary Writing What is not on the English test?

SAMPLE ENGLISH QUESTIONS See handout

The 4 Types of Reading Passages Prose Fiction Passage A short story or an excerpt from a novel or short story Social Science Passage An essay (or excerpt) about anthropology, archeology, business, psychology, law, education, economics, etc. Humanities Passage An essay (or excerpt) about architecture, art, dance, film, language, literary criticism, writing, music, philosophy, radio, television, theater, etc. Natural Science Passage An essay (or excerpt) about anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, geology, zoology, botany, ecology, etc.

SAMPLE ACT READING QUESTIONS See handout

What is on the MATH? Variable Manipulation Plane Geometry Proportions and Probability Coordinate Geometry and More

1 1. Which of the following letters represents the vertex in the following picture? A. D and E B. E and H C. F and G D. G only E. H only

What is the measure of the solid line angle depicted by the following figure? A. 90 degrees B. 180 degrees C. 225 degrees D. 270 degrees E. 0 degrees

SAMPLE ACT MATH QUESTIONS See handout

3 Types of Science Passages Our program recommends that students attack the questions in the following order: 1. Data Representation (3 passages) Text without a heading followed by tables, graphs, charts, and diagrams. 2. Research Summary (3 passages) Text with headings about 2 or more experiments or studies relating to the Scientific Method. 3. Conflicting Viewpoint (1 passages) Passages with headings indicating two scientists or researchers (who disagree on a given topic.)

SAMPLE ACT SCIENCE QUESTION See handout

ACT CATS Common points Things to remember when assessing. Timed Test 4 Content Tests College Ready Written Optional Extended Time 7 Contents State Acct. Open Response Required MC All 11 th Graders Verbs ACT vs CATS

Now What?

Acknowledgements KASC Multiple Choice Materials KAPLAN Materials (Sample Questions) and other information from KAPLAN PowerPoint Slides