1. ACT & U Every Thing You Should Have Learned in High School…

2. Get a Grip Learn what to expect Know what you know Strengthen your weaknesses

3. What is it? Measures Academic Achievement in: *English *Mathematics *Reading *Science

4. How, Who, What Decides? ACT reviews published objectives of instruction 7 th through 12 th grade from all 50 States Review textbooks on state-approved lists Survey educators at secondary and post- secondary institutions

5. …and more The ACT is prepared according to the: Standards for Education and Psychological Testing Code of Professional Responsibilities in Educational Measurement Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education

6. Specifics - English 75 Questions, 45 Minutes Usage/Mechanics40 Punctuation10 Basic Grammar12 Sentence Structure18 Rhetorical Skills34 Strategy12 Organization11 Style12

7. Specifics - Mathematics 60 Questions, 60 Minutes Pre-Algebra14 Elementary Algebra10 Intermediate Algebra 9 Coordinate Geometry 9 Plane Geometry14 Trigonometry 4

8. Specifics - Reading 40 Questions, 35 Minutes Prose Fiction10 Humanities10 Social Studies10 Natural Sciences10

9. Specifics - Science Content Areas: Biology, Earth/Space Sciences, Chemistry, Physics Format: Data Representation15 Research Summaries18 Conflicting Viewpoints 7

10. English in ACTs Words The ACT English Test measures the students understanding of the conventions of standard written English (punctuation, grammar and usage and sentence structure and of rhetorical skills (strategy, organization, and style.) Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of rules are grammar are not tested.

11. Mathematics in ACTs Words The Mathematics Test assesses the mathematical skills that students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade twelve. The test requires students to use their reasoning skills to solve practical problems. The problems assume knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills but do not require memorization of complex formulas or extensive computation.

12. Reading in ACTs Words The Reading Test measures the students reading comprehension as a product of referring and reasoning skills. The test items require the student to derive meaning from several texts by (1) referring to what is explicitly stated and (2) resoning to determine implicit meanings and to draw conclusions, comparisons and generalizations.

13. Science in ACTs Words The Science Test measures the students interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem- solving skills required in the natural sciences.

14. Writing in ACTs Words The Writing Test is an optional 30- minute essay test that measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry level college composition courses.

15. Why Should Students take the ACT? Universally accepted for college admission Curriculum based More than a test Good value

16. When? Five National Test Dates: October December February April June For you: April 4 th June 13 th September 12 th October 24 th December 12 th

17. Retesting? ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once: 55% increased their composite score on the retest 22% had no change 23% decreased their composite score

18. How do I prepare? The ACT is curriculum-based. [T]he best preparation for any student taking the ACT is rigorous college preparatory coursework in high school.

19. Whats the Score? The ACT scored on a 1-36 Scale All Wrong = 1, All Correct = 36 Each test raw score converted to scale score Scale Scores added up and divided by 4 to equal composite score ½ Correct = 18

20. Numbers, Numbers… HS Graduating Class of 2008: Mean ACT Scores:WI National English21.720.6 Math22.321.0 Reading22.621.4 Science22.320.8 Composite22.321.1

21. To Get a 21… English60% Correct Mathematics45% Correct Reading 55% Correct Science 60% Correct

22. The EZ Way: English 40 Questions are Usage/Mechanics which gives you a 17. Review Basic Rules of Grammar and Proper Punctuation(22Q)

23. The EZ Way: Math 33 questions are Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra which gives you a 22. Do practice tests and exercises focusing on algebra..but dont ignore….

24. The EZ Way: Reading 7 out of 10 in each passage gives you a 23. Practice test passages. Read for content…anything.

25. The EZ Way: Science Data Representation is 15 questions Research Summaries is 18 questions All Data Representation and ½ of Research Summaries would give you a 22

26. So…Your Preparation Utilize your UB ACT score Take practice tests Find a strategy that works for you with each section Review core concepts

27. English Review Proper Punctuation rules and applications Review Basic Rules of Grammar Go through English tests to see how test writers frame sentence structure and Rhetorical skills questions

28. Mathematics Review study guides Do practice Mathematics tests Use UB ACT subscore to focus on deficiencies

29. Reading Read, Read, Read…reading for content… See if there is an subscore area that you need to concentrate in. Do practice Reading tests

30. Science Do practice Science tests

31. Test-Taking Strategies Relax Youre going to make mistakes All that matters is which circle you fill in Save the hard items for last They try to trick you Watch out for except, not, or least

32. Strategies, contd. Still dont have the answer? Eliminate and guess Do you work in the test booklet Write the letter for the answer choice in your test booklet

33. UB is there for you ACT Prep in February & March Additional practice and review materials Fee Waivers

34. ACT is there for you Visit ACT websites: www.act.org www.actstudent.org