1. DeForest Area High School ACT Prep
On Feb. 27 all juniors in the state of Wisconsin will take the ACT+Writing.
You may use your score from this test for college application purposes.
The test will be given from 8:00-12:30 or so in your advisory group; only juniors will come to school on that day.

2. All students are pre-registered for this test and it is free for you.
Many students take the ACT more than once to try to improve their score. You may decide to re-take the ACT again at your own expense.

3. Additional ACT Test Dates
April 14
Registration deadline March 9
June 9
Registration deadline May 4
Register at
Our high school code is

4. ACT Breakdown by Section
Test
# of Questions
Time Allotted
Suggested time per Q
English 75
45 minutes
30 seconds
Math 60
60 minutes
1 minute
Reading 40
35 minutes
34 – 40 seconds
Science/
Reasoning
Writing 1
30 minutes

5. What to bring to the test:
Pencils
Clothing: dress in layers
A snack (10 minute break – energy bar, something with protein & carbs)
A watch
A calculator

6. Scoring You get one point for every correct answer.
You get zero points for every answer you skip.
You get zero points for every wrong answer.
Guessing works to your advantage!

7. Strategies for Pacing Yourself on the ACT
Use the time-per-question guidelines
Try to answer questions in less time than suggested in table
Answer easier questions first and skip over the more difficult—make sure you come back to the ones you skipped
Answer the more difficult questions next
Make sure you answer every question
If time is available after all questions are answered, go back and check work

8. More Test-Taking Tips
Think Negative – eliminate answers you know are wrong
Keep an eye on the clock
Don’t overuse your calculator
Don’t overthink
Remember each question is worth the same no matter how hard or easy it seems. Don’t spend too much time on a hard question.
Handout: Additional ACT Test-Taking Tips

9. Each Test – getting ready

10. About the English Test What does it cover? Grammar Usage
Diction (commonly confused words like farther/further, affect/effect)
Rhetorical skills (strategy, organization, and style)

11. ACT English Test Content/Skills Proportion of Test # of Questions
Usage/Mechanics
Punctuation
Grammar & Usage
Sentence Structure
Rhetorical Skills
Strategy
Organization
Style
Total:

12. Strategies for the English Test
Practice pacing yourself.
Be aware of the writing style used in passage – consider style when selecting your response.
Consider the writing decision described in the question. Read the sentence with each answer choice before deciding on your answer.

13. Example Question
Benjamin’s mother taught him to read, and he attended a one-room Quaker school when the farmwork slowed down during the winter.
Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?
A. read; he
B. read, and he also
C. read he
D. read. He

14. About the Reading Test
You will be asked to read a passage in a relatively short amount of time and answer questions based upon it. The reading test is a 40-question, 35-minute test. There are four reading passages followed by questions.

15. Strategies for the Reading Test
Pace yourself—if you spend 2-3 minutes reading each passage, then you will have about 35 seconds to answer each question.

16. 3 Approaches to consider for the Reading Test
Read the questions first and then read or skim the passage. If you’re a fast reader with good comprehension, this may be for you.
Skim/read the passage first and then answer the questions. For most students, this is the best approach.
Read a paragraph and then answer the questions associated with that paragraph. Then read the next paragraph and answer those questions. Continue in this manner.

17. Strategies for the Reading Test
Read the intro paragraph to get an idea of what the passage is about.
Focus attention on the first one or two sentences of each paragraph and the last sentence of the passage.
Be an active reader: underline or circle key points/ideas/words.
Read above and below the specific line references in the question to understand the context.
Don’t get caught-up in the passage. You don’t need to memorize information.

18. About the Science Reasoning Test
The test is a 40-question, 35-minute test that measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.

19. About the Science Test
No specific science course knowledge (such as biology or chemistry).
The test gives you all the information you need to answer the science questions.

20. About the Science Test
The test presents 7 sets of scientific information followed by questions. The information is conveyed in one of 3 formats:
data representations (graphs, tables): 38%
research summaries: 45%
conflicting viewpoints: 17%

21. Strategies for the Science Reasoning Test
Pace yourself: spend about 2 minutes reading each passage and about 30 seconds on each question.
Read the passage carefully and examine any tables, graphs, or figures. If the passage describes an experiment, consider its design, including controls and variables.

22. Content Covered by the Science Test
The content of the Science Test includes biology, chemistry, physics, and some Earth/space sciences like geology, astronomy, and meteorology. Advanced knowledge is not required, but knowledge acquired in general intro science courses is needed. The test emphasizes scientific reasoning skills over recall of scientific facts.

23. About the Math Test
The test has 60 questions and 60 minutes. It covers:
Basic arithmetic
Geometry
Algebra
A small amount of Trigonometry (maybe just four questions)
No calculus

24. About the Math Test Pre-Algebra: 23% Elementary Algebra: 17%
Intermediate Algebra: 15%
Coordinate Geometry: 15%
Plane Geometry: 23%
Trigonometry: 7%

25. About the Math Test
Knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills are assumed as background for the problems, but recall of complex formulas and extensive computation is not required.

26. Strategies for the Math Test
If you use a calculator, use it wisely. All of the math problems can be solved without one. In fact, some of the problems are best done without a calculator. Use good judgment in deciding when, and when not, to use one.

27. Strategies for the Math Test
Solve the problem first and then look for your answer among the choices. Working backwards from the responses often takes longer than solving the problem directly.
Think about your answer to make sure it is reasonable given the question being asked.

28. Example Question
Many problems can be solved without tedious math. Think about this problem:
A sock drawer contains 15 pairs of different colored socks. There are 5 blue, 5 white, and 5 red pairs. What is the fewest number of pairs that can be taken out to ensure that there are at least 3 or more pairs of the same color taken?
A.) B.) C.) D.) E.) 9

29. Since you need to guarantee that at least 3 pairs of the same color socks have been picked, what has to happen? You have to have at least 2 pairs of the same color socks and the next pick is guaranteed to match the color of two other pairs.

30. If you took out 3 pairs of socks, there could be 1 blue, 1 white, and 1 red pair. If you picked 3 more pairs (total of 6 pairs), they too could be 1 blue, 1 white, and 1 red pair, giving you 2 of each color. When you picked a 7th pair, you are guaranteed to have 3 of one of the colors, so 7 is the least number of pairs that must be selected. The answer is (D).

31. Writing Test
Your score on the writing test will not affect your composite score.
The test is a 30-minute essay that measures your writing skills.
Your score is based on organization and your ability to support your thoughts.

32. Writing Test
The test consists of one writing prompt that will define an issue and describe two points of view on that issue. You are asked to write in response to a question about your position on the issue. You can choose either of the two perspectives or present a different point of view.

33. Writing Test Your essay will be evaluated on your ability to:
Express judgments by taking a position on the issue;
Maintain a focus on the topic;
Develop a position by using logical reasoning and supporting your ideas;
Use language clearly and effectively.

34. Writing Test
Two trained readers will score your essay, each giving it a rating from 1 (low) to 6 (high). The sum of those ratings is your Writing subscore. If the readers’ ratings disagree by more than one point, a third reader will evaluate your essay.

35. Free ACT Prep
(formerly Career Cruising): sign in using your password and look for “Method Test Prep”
“Preparing for the ACT” guide

36. ACT Prep Courses ACT Strategies prep class at UW-Baraboo
Sat., Feb. 3, 9am-4pm

37. Zaps ACT Prep will offer two one-day ACT prep workshops at area high schools:
Mon., Jan. 22, 8am-2pm at Sun Prairie High School.
Sat., Feb. 10 9am-3pm at Monona Grove High School.
The cost for either workshop is $90. More information at