ACT MATH STRATEGIES

Tips to remember No ACT Math question should take more than a minute Focus on trying to get 2 out of 3 questions correct Skills that are tested are deliberately of a wide range

ACT Math Test 24 Pre-Algebra and Elementary Algebra questions 10 intermediate algebra questions 8 coordinate geometry questions 14 plane geometry questions 4 trigonometry questions

Math Strategies There’s no partial credit! Do not dwell on writing out the equation and solving. You don’t have to be obdient to the way you learned it. Pick numbers to fill in algebraic equations. Consider the following equation: If a is an odd integer and b is an even integer, which of the following must be odd? A) 2a + b B) a + 2b C) ab D) a^2b E) ab^2

Math Strategies Back Solve: Try the answers in the question to find the best choice. It doesn’t matter how you get the right answer… so long as you do!

Follow these steps for success 1) Ask yourself: What is the question? Don’t memorize definitions… but it’s important to process and understand the precise language used in the math exam 2) What information am I given? When planning how to attack the problem, the obvious way to answer could be too long, so be creative in your answer processes.

Follow these steps for success 3) What can I do with the information? No need to show your work If the answer you calculated is there, choose it. You’re probably right. If not, use the process of elimination and choose 4) Am I finished? Go back and reread. If you are stuck, skip it on the first pass. Usually everyone skips some questions the first time through. AVOID a third pass.

When to use a calculator You are permitted to use a calculator You don’t NEED it. The ACT doesn’t technically require the use of a calculator on any question Know when the use of the calculator is slowing you down. Sometimes it will be faster to solve in your head! Calculators are meant to SUPPLEMENT your skills NOT to REPLACE them

ACT Math Diagnostic Test We will now take a diagnostic test to see where you stand in ACT Math. It is important for you to do your absolute best on this test, so I can see exactly which skills you need to work on as an individual and so I can see patterns in the whole class. If you finish with more than 10 minutes left in the test, I will know you haven’t given a good faith effort, and it will count against your participation for the day.

Put your name at the top of the chart and fill in ONLY the “your answer” column with the answers from your answer sheet. Then, swap your chart with someone else. ACT Math Diagnostic Test Chart

Partners, fill in the “correct answer” column with the following correct answers and put an “X” in the next column next to those questions they got incorrect.

ACT Math Diagnostic Test Answers 11) D 12) G 13) E 14) J 15) C 16) F 17) B 18) F 19) E 20) J 31) A 32) K 33) B 34) G 35) E 36) G 37) C 38) K 39) E 40) H 1)C 2)H 3)D 4)J 5)A 6)F 7)E 8)K 9)B 10) F 21) D 22) G 23) C 24) K 25) D 26) F 27) D 28) F 29) A 30) G 41) C 42) J 43) B 44) J 45) E 46) G 47) C 48) K 49) E 50) H 51) E 52) K 53) D 54) F 55) E 56) H 57) D 58) H 59) B 60) F

ACT Math Diagnostic Test Get your own chart back, answer the questions at the bottom, and turn it in.