ACT Prep Test Tips

Results Your results give you opportunities but do not decide your fate Scores Range from 0-36 in each section You don’t have a 36 to get into the school of your choice 21 is average. Shoot for above average You can always retake the ACT or SAT All colleges and universities use the SAT and ACT for admission.

General Tips *Any of the following actions will result in having to hand in your test materials and leave the test continuing to write an essay after the allotted time has expired looking at another examinee’s test booklet or answer sheet looking back at a test in which time has been called glancing ahead in the test booklet using an unauthorized calculator using any device used to share or exchange information at any time during the test or break-including cell phone’s using the calculator on any other section than the Mathematics portion attempting to remove any testing material from the room not following instructions creating a disturbance (including allowing a cell phone to sound off)

10 Tips for Taking the ACT Get plenty of sleep the night before the test If you feel nervous before beginning, try to relax by taking a few deep breaths Maintain confidence in your abilities and plan to do your best. Your attitude can affect your performance Listen carefully to all instructions and ask questions if you hear something you do not understand Focus your attention entirely on your work Position your answer sheet next to your test booklet so you can mark answers quickly and accurately Before answering each question, read it completely, as well as all the possible responses If you feel unsure of an answer, choose the one you think is best and move on. There is no penalty for guessing so be sure to answer every question Pace yourself throughout the test by checking the time periodically If you complete the test early reread the questions and check your answers

Appropriate Guessing and Other Tips There is No Penalty for Guessing on the ACT Answer EVERY question !!! Random Guessing Guessing the letter of the Day C/F = 25% = 11 (score of) Educated Guessing Eliminate and guess = 50% = 19 (score of) Knowledge + Educated Guessing = 21+

Appropriate Guessing and Other Tips Cont’d KNOW THY TEST Study your practice test (s) Sample Tests available at: ACTstudent.org Test Tips: ACTstudent.org Preparing for the ACT: ACTstudent.org and/or sparknotes.com Directions and Format : ACTstudent.org What Could You Have Done to Get the Question Right? Lack of Knowledge- use ACTstudent.org and/or SparkNotes.com for help Guessing Wrong Carelessness If You Left the Question Blank –Fill in ALL Blanks

General Test-Taking Strategies Pace Yourself Set a Target Score Be honest and realistic Pace Yourself with goal in mind- don’t pay attention to others General idea of time.. to keep pace. If close, complete the last ones with letter of the day No marks after time is called Do not try to be clever! When time is called, you are done! Read the directions to each section carefully Answer the easy questions first Use logic in the more difficult questions Be precise in marking your answer sheet Erase completely Remember- NO PENALTY FOR GUESSING!

Multiple Choice Skip?.....Not always time to come back Don’t spend more than a minute or two on any question Only the Answer Matters You’ve Already Got the Answers Trust in yourself and be confident ALWAYS Guess When You Don’t Know the Answer

Breaking it into Parts English: 75 questions, 45 minutes Containing two sections: Usage and Mechanics Rhetorical Skills Math: 60 questions, 60 minutes   BREAK Reading: 40 questions, 35 minutes Science: 40 questions, 35 minutes Optional Writing on other ACT tests Know whether the college you are looking at requires this section be completed

English Section Usage and Mechanics: 40 questions -deal with the proper use of standard written English Punctuation (10 questions) Basic Grammar and Usage (12 questions) Sentence Structure (18 questions) Rhetorical Skills Questions: 35 questions - written English. Writing Strategy (12 questions): passage’s effectiveness Organization (11 questions): individual sentences, individual paragraphs, or the passage as a whole. Style (12 questions): effective word choice.

English Section Cont’d Skim the Entire Passage before Answering the Questions- context matters Answer the Questions in the Order They Appear Not in Order of Difficulty- Only test that is NOT Eliminate Answer Choices, then Guess Avoid Being Influenced by the Answer Choices Choose “NO CHANGE” = approximately 20% of time If the Phrase Doesn’t Fit…”You Must OMIT”

English Refreshers 4 Main Sentence Structure Errors: Sentence Fragments: Caused by dependent clauses, with no second half to complete it Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences: A run-on sentence is one that is too long to read in on breath or a sentence that would make more sense if split up into separate sentences Misplaced Modifiers: A modifying phrase needs to be near what it is modifying. If it gets too far away, it can get misplaced Parallel Construction: To catch these types of problems, watch for a series of nouns or verbs

Math and what is covered on the test… 9-10th grade math = 78% of test; You can earn 26! Pre-Algebra (23%): basic operations using whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers; place value; square roots and approximations; the concept of exponents; factors; ratio, proportion, and percent; Elementary Algebra (17%): exponents and square roots, evaluation of algebraic expressions through substitution, using variables to express functional relationships, and the solution of quadratic equations by factoring Coordinate Geometry (15%): graphing and the relations between equations and graphs, including points, lines, polynomials, circles, and other curves; graphing inequalities; slope; parallel and perpendicular lines; distance; midpoints; and conics. Explain that within each subsection, they will be tested on more than what is listed here

Math Cont’d Plane Geometry (23%): Intermediate Algebra (15%): properties and relations of plane figures, including angles; properties of all shapes; transformations; the concept of proof and proof techniques; volume; and applications of geometry to three Intermediate Algebra (15%): quadratic formula; rational/radical expressions; absolute value equations and inequalities; sequences and patterns; systems of equations; quadratic inequalities; functions; modeling; matrices; roots of polynomials; and complex numbers. dimensions Trigonometry (7%- 4 questions): solving trigonometric equations; trigonometric relations in right triangles; values, properties, and graphing of trigonometric functions; modeling; and use of trigonometric identities

Check Your Math! Know the instructions ahead of time 5 choices –watch bubbling Calculator – what is allowed Avoid Partial Answers Order of Difficulty Read, check question, plan, answer as if there were no answer choices Make sure to answer to question asked Make sure your answer is reasonable Match your answer to the answer choices given Fill in the appropriate bubble on the answer sheet Guessing? Try to eliminate first, then guess Leave nothing unanswered! Remind kids again about the allowed calculators

Prohibited Calculators The following types of calculators are prohibited: calculators with built-in computer algebra systems Prohibited calculators in this category include: Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92and the TI-Nspire CAS—Note: The TI-Nspire (non-CAS) is permitted. Hewlett-Packard: HP 48GII and all model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G, or HP 50G Casio: Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300 and ClassPad 330, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G  electronic writing pads or pen-input devices—Note: The Sharp EL 9600 is permitted. calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices Explain that laptops, computers, and PDA’s are not allowed as well as, calculators with a typewriter keypad-letter keys in QWERTY format are not allowed-letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted

Math Problems Example Math Problem: Easy Problem: Cynthia, Peter, Nancy, and Kevin are all carpenters. Last week, each built the following number of chairs: Cynthia-36, Peter-45, Nancy-74, and Kevin-13 What was the average number of chairs each carpenter built lat week? 39 42 36+45+74+13 55 4 59 3=42, Answer is B 63

Example Problem II Medium Problem: Four Carpenters built an average of 42 chairs each last week. If Cynthia built 36 chairs, Nancy built 74 chairs, and Kevin built 13 chairs, how many chairs did Peter build? 24 37 36+74+13+Peter = 42 You might want to 45 4 substitute (x) for 53 Peter 67 One way to solve for Peter: Multiply both sides by 4 (36+74+13+X) = 42 42 x 4= 168 4/4=1 4 123+Peter = 168, Subtract 123 from both sides - 123 - 123 0 45= Peter Correct Answer is H

ACT Reading Test Vocabulary through context Read the Passage First, Then Answer the Questions Vocabulary through context Inferences from given evidence Reasoning from factual evidence Character and character motivation Author’s point of view or tone What are the tone, themes, and major points Cause-effect relationships Analyzing the reasons for-and/or the consequences of- an action, event, or decision Comparisons and analogies

Science Section Look for easy ones! Read the Passage First for a General Understanding Don’t Be Afraid of the Scientific Jargon Talk to Yourself and Make Notes Restate the question, refer back, then answer Order of Difficulty-increases Look for easy ones! Passage Topics-Base Your Answers on the Passage Understanding of scientific data Read the Chart Use the Chart Handle Graphs Take the Next Step

ACT Test Dates Test Date Registration Late Registration Online Score Deadline Deadline Release December: 12/10/11 11/04/11 11/18/11 12/26/11 February: 2/11/12 1/13/12 1/20/12 2/27/12 April: 4/14/12 3/09/12 3/23/12 4/30/12 June: 6/09/12 5/04/12 5/18/12 6/25/12

Need Help/Have Questions Your friendly counseling department is here to help! Steve Layman A-Coo Steve Burdick Cop-G Cindy Kauffman H-L Brian Ceriani M-Pe Joy Pearson Pf-Si Monica Dirmeikis Sk-Z