1. Preparing for the ACT Test

2. 1. General Preparation for the ACT Tests

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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

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

13. 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
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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.

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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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?

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

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

39. 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

40. 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

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

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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

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

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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.

49. 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