1. ACT Test Prep Class Pre-Test Interpretation Nancy Stetter & Sarah Kelly Counselors

2. Welcome the LHS Test Prep! Why are we here? Our mission…. Why are we here? Our mission…. Why is this class effective? Why is this class effective? How important are your test scores? How important are your test scores?

3. Pre-test vs PSAE ACT 2001-2009 1371 students took both the Pre-test and the PSAE ACT 1371 students took both the Pre-test and the PSAE ACT 79% went up by an average of 2.72 points 79% went up by an average of 2.72 points 7.9% went down by an average of 1.66 points 7.9% went down by an average of 1.66 points 13% stayed the same 13% stayed the same Overall improvement for 1371 students was +2.07 points Overall improvement for 1371 students was +2.07 points

4. The ACT What is it? What is it? ACT FAQs ACT FAQs How often should I take it? When? How often should I take it? When? Does it matter which scores I send? Does it matter which scores I send? How do I sign up? How do I sign up? How do I send scores? How do I send scores? PSAE ACT vs national tests PSAE ACT vs national tests

5. 5 PRAIRIE STATE ACHIEVEMENT EXAMINATION (PSAE) April 27, 2011 Everything you need to know about PSAE

6. Which students must participate in spring PSAE testing? All students classified by their districts as in grade 11 at the time of testing, except All students classified by their districts as in grade 11 at the time of testing, except Some IEP students take the Illinois Alternate Assessment (IAA) Some IEP students take the Illinois Alternate Assessment (IAA) Includes foreign exchange students in grade 11 Includes foreign exchange students in grade 11

7. Do colleges accept ACT scores from PSAE testing? Forms and scores equivalent to other ACT tests Forms and scores equivalent to other ACT tests U.S. colleges and universities notified by ACT U.S. colleges and universities notified by ACT All Illinois colleges and ISAC accept state ACT scores All Illinois colleges and ISAC accept state ACT scores YES!

8. What do I need to bring the day of the test? Get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast Get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast Pencils, #2 Pencils, #2 ID card ID card Calculator Calculator Snack Snack

9. PSAE Day 1 Standard Time Test Day Schedule ACT English 45 min. ACT Mathematics 60 min. (15-minute break) ACT Reading 35 min. ACT Science 35 min. (5 minute stand by your desk break) ACT Writing 30 min.

10. PSAE Day 2 Test Day Schedule ISBE Science 40 min. WorkKeys Applied Math 45 min. (15-minute break) WorkKeys Reading for Info 45 min.

11. When will PSAE results be reported? All scores are mailed to the student at home. ACT ACT Student Reports (to home May/June) Student Reports (to home May/June) HS and College Reports (May/June) HS and College Reports (May/June) School and District Profile Reports (October) School and District Profile Reports (October)

12. How can I prepare for the test? Take core curriculum classes Take core curriculum classes ACT Prep Class at LHS ACT Prep Class at LHS ACT Online Software at www.act.org ACT Online Software at www.act.org KeyTrain Software through curriculum KeyTrain Software through curriculum Method Test Prep- Family Connections (Naviance) Method Test Prep- Family Connections (Naviance)

16. How to sign up…. For the PSAE ACT… For the PSAE ACT… A letter will be sent home the 1 st week of April explaining the process A letter will be sent home the 1 st week of April explaining the process LHS in mandated by the State of Illinois… LHS in mandated by the State of Illinois… U.S. History classes U.S. History classes Diane Phillips, Assistant Principal is in charge Diane Phillips, Assistant Principal is in charge For a NATIONAL ACT… For a NATIONAL ACT… www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org

19. The Pre-Test Results The Student Score report The Student Score report Use your Score Report and Explanations to identify questions you should have gotten correct Use your Score Report and Explanations to identify questions you should have gotten correct Use the textbook’s Review section and the class to brush up on content areas Use the textbook’s Review section and the class to brush up on content areas

20. College Readiness Standards™ Benchmarks A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses.

21. College Readiness Standards™ Benchmarks TestEXPLOREPLANACT English131518 Mathematics171922 Reading151721 Science202124 Composite161821

22. The Pre-Test Results Set goals now! Use your explanations and the Standards for Transition Set goals now! Use your explanations and the Standards for Transition Rule of Thumb Rule of Thumb 2:1 Math and English 2:1 Math and English 1:1 Reading and Science 1:1 Reading and Science

23. The Pre-Test Results English Score Range 16-19 20-23 You got a 22 24-27 Go for a 24! 28-3233-36 To go from a 22 to a 24 you would only need to get @ 4 more questions correct! Use your materials to identify question types and their concepts to get 4 more correct!

24. Admission Into College! Every student has access to college and scholarships. Every student has access to college and scholarships.

25. The Traditional Way  3 Ways: G.P.A. = 45% ACT/SAT exam = 45% Other = 10%

26. The Pre-Test Results Try to move up one Score Range in each of the sub test areas! You can do it!

27. Libertyville High School 220 students ACT Form Code: 0556B English:21.5 Math:22.9 Reading:22 Science:22 Composite:22.2

28. Step 1: Diagnostic Testing and Assessment Reports Step 2:“Basic” Skills Review Step 3:In-Class Problem-Solving, Concepts, and Strategies Step 4:Practice Test Reinforcement Step 5:Final Exam and Assessment Step 6:Personal Study and Improvement Plan The Cambridge Six-Step Approach :

29. The Pre-Test Results The teacher’s report The teacher’s report Teachers will identify questions and concepts that the different classes should focus on to improve your scores Teachers will identify questions and concepts that the different classes should focus on to improve your scores Take advantage of knowing commonly missed questions Take advantage of knowing commonly missed questions

30. The LHS ACT Prep Class What is included and what is not? What is included and what is not? Pre/Post test with score reports Pre/Post test with score reports Textbook and other materials Textbook and other materials 12 hours of instruction, 3 hours in each area 12 hours of instruction, 3 hours in each area Registration for a real, live, NATIONAL ACT is NOT included Registration for a real, live, NATIONAL ACT is NOT included

31. The LHS ACT Prep Class

32. What to do about potential class conflicts? What to do about potential class conflicts? Conflicts with the post test? Conflicts with the post test? Class expectations Class expectations Good attendance Good attendance Do your work! Do your work! Bring your textbook, test booklet and test results to every class! Bring your textbook, test booklet and test results to every class!

33. Math & English Remediation Math & English Remediation English Remediation- Monday Feb 7 6:30-8:00 English Remediation- Monday Feb 7 6:30-8:00 Math Remediation- Wed Feb 9 6:30-8:00 Math Remediation- Wed Feb 9 6:30-8:00 What is it? Who is it for? What is it? Who is it for? How do I sign up? How do I sign up? The LHS ACT Prep Class

34. Writing Workshop- Writing Workshop- Wednesday, April 6 in the Studio Theater 6:30-8:00pm Wednesday, April 6 in the Studio Theater 6:30-8:00pm Optional class Optional class Packet & PowerPoint Packet & PowerPoint The LHS ACT Prep Class

35. College Workshop for Juniors II: What’s Your Type? Tuesday, Februayr 15 th in the Auditorium at 7:00 Good luck with your ACT’s!