Sources: Cracking the ACT by The Princeton Review and “Zapping the ACT” by the ZAPS Learning Company Mrs. Shelby Schmidt and Mrs. Sharon Jaeschke Southeast Valley

Purpose of the ACT: Measure past academic achievement In other words: Can you prove you learned something in your high school courses? Gives colleges one more factor to consider when deciding who to admit (but grades, activities, recommendations, essays, are just as important, if not more important.)

Good Things about the ACT: It is a predictable test Always has English, math, reading, science tests Always multiple choice Always has the same concepts within each subject area: 10 punctuation questions, 14 geometry questions, etc. If you take the writing test, it always has one question requiring an essay You can study for the ACT and retake it – it is under your control to achieve a high score

The Tests on the ACT: English English Test 45 minutes – 75 questions 5 essays or passages with questions beside them Questions in involve grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills (also called usage) Sample:

The Tests on the ACT: Math Math Test 60 minutes – 60 questions Mixture of easy, medium, difficult throughout the test, although usually starts with easier Types of questions: 33 algebra (14 pre-algebra and arithmetic, 10 algebra I, 9 algebra II) 23 geometry (14 plane geometry, 9 coordinate geom.) 4 trigonometry questions (sine, cosine, etc.) Sample: If you have completed Algebra II, there shouldn’t be more than 3-4 problems that seem completely over your head.

The Tests on the ACT: Reading Reading Test 35 minutes – 40 questions 4 reading passages with about 750 words each in this order: Prose fiction Social science Humanities Natural Science 10 questions after each passage: identify supporting details, draw conclusions, make comparisons, make generalizations Sample:

The Tests on the ACT: Science Science Reasoning Test 35 minutes – 40 questions 6 sets of scientific information presented in graphs charts, tables A research summary in which you have to make sense of a disagreement between scientists Focused on reading comprehension and reading graphs more than higher scientific knowledge. Sample: ml ml

The Tests on the ACT: Writing Optional Writing Test (30 minutes) Essay with a topic relevant to high school students You write your opinion in regard to the topic required by some schools, but not ISU, Iowa or UNI If you go to a school that needs it and you didn’t take it, you need to repeat the entire ACT test Scored by two readers on a scale of 1 to 6, added together, so possible scores are 2 to 12. Sample:

Scoring of the Multiple Choice Tests of the ACT Scores on each of the four tests range from 1 to 36, based on correct answers Questions left blank are considered wrong (so you should fill in every dot) Overall score is an average of the four scores Percentile also given Subcategory scores help you spot weaknesses if you retake the test Handout showing how raw scores are converted to a scaled score from 1 to 36

When is the Test Given? Six times a year: June, September, October, December, February, and April Saturday mornings starting at 8:00 AM Information about the ACT test is online at Need to register 3 weeks ahead or pay a late fee You can take as often as you want, but colleges want you to report a score (you decide which one…) when you apply for admission and some scholarships may request it. June test will be given at PVHS

Who Sees the Results For the June test, scores mailed to you High school guidance counselors. Colleges if you fill out the four free college report forms on the ACT – may not want to if you are worried about low scores – but colleges do use the highest composite score

ACT vs. SAT ACT measures “achievement” what you have learned in high school SAT measures “ability” which is not easily measured so questions may seem tricky SAT requires the writing test, ACT doesn’t SAT puts more emphasis on vocabulary in the verbal tests, doesn’t include trigonometry Most college accept scores from either the ACT or the SAT for admittance, some don’t require either

Calculators Permitted Calculators You may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, unless it has features described in the Prohibited Calculators list. For models on the Calculators Permitted with Modification list, you will be required to modify some of the calculator's features. It is recommended that you bring a calculator to the test and prepare for the test with the same calculator.

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-92 TI-Nspire CAS—Note: The TI-Nspire (non-CAS) is permitted. Hewlett-Packard: HP Prime HP 48GII All model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G, or HP 50G Casio: fx-CP400 (ClassPad 400) ClassPad 300 ClassPad 330 Algebra fx 2.0 All model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G Handheld, tablet, or laptop computers, including PDAs. 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. Calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format)—Note: Letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted.

Calculators Permitted with Modification These types of calculators are permitted, but only after they are modified as noted: Calculators with paper tape—Remove the tape. Calculators that make noise—Turn off the sound. Calculators with an infrared data port—Completely cover the infrared data port with heavy opaque material such as duct tape or electrician's tape (includes Hewlett-Packard HP 38G series, HP 39G series, and HP 48G). Calculators that have power cords—Remove all power/electrical cords.

What Are You Waiting For??? Website to register: If you have registered and want to change your test date or location: you can make the change by calling: If you change date, you will need to pay $21 for the change. (besides the test fee)