1. Preparing for the ACT Strategies for Taking Timed Tests

2. B 4 Testing DO NOT “Party” the night before DO NOT “Party” the night before GO TO BED---GET SOME REST GO TO BED---GET SOME REST Do NOT take Ambien, Tylenol PM, etc…Count Sheep instead Do NOT take Ambien, Tylenol PM, etc…Count Sheep instead Sharpen and put in your bag at least 2 # 2 pencils that have erasers (no mechanical pencils) Sharpen and put in your bag at least 2 # 2 pencils that have erasers (no mechanical pencils) Make sure the batteries are good in your calculator Make sure the batteries are good in your calculator Don’t break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend or fight with your parents the night B4 the test Don’t break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend or fight with your parents the night B4 the test Talk to (don’t yell at) your parents if you have concerns…but expect them NOT to know how to make it better. Talk to (don’t yell at) your parents if you have concerns…but expect them NOT to know how to make it better.

3. In the AM EAT breakfast (and no I don’t mean a can of Red Bull and some M & Ms) EAT breakfast (and no I don’t mean a can of Red Bull and some M & Ms) Get up as you normally do Get up as you normally do Try not to stress about the test…at this point, you are as prepared as you are going to be, so as Faith Hill would say…JUST BREATHE! Try not to stress about the test…at this point, you are as prepared as you are going to be, so as Faith Hill would say…JUST BREATHE! Think positive. You remember Stuart Smalley from SNL??? Daily Affirmations can go along way. Think positive. You remember Stuart Smalley from SNL??? Daily Affirmations can go along way.

4. Law and Order: THE TEST For goodness sake, READ the DIRECTIONS For goodness sake, READ the DIRECTIONS Answer the questions you KNOW first; SKIP the ones you don’t know at all. Answer the questions you KNOW first; SKIP the ones you don’t know at all. THINK…there is some time to think, but not a long time to think. THINK…there is some time to think, but not a long time to think. Don’t spend too much time on ONE question (less than 30 sec. per grammar ? and less than 1 min. per reading ?) Don’t spend too much time on ONE question (less than 30 sec. per grammar ? and less than 1 min. per reading ?)

5. Multiple Choice Read all of the answers before picking one Read all of the answers before picking one Elimination Method Elimination Method Make an educated guess…there is no penalty--- whatever that means Make an educated guess…there is no penalty--- whatever that means DON’T CHANGE YOUR MIND!!!!! (unless you have come to some revelation about the correct answer) DON’T CHANGE YOUR MIND!!!!! (unless you have come to some revelation about the correct answer) Remember the TRANSCENDTALISTS Remember the TRANSCENDTALISTS If you have time, go back to the ones you guessed on If you have time, go back to the ones you guessed on Skip, Return, Check Skip, Return, Check

6. Reading Passages READ the Questions FIRST strategy READ the Questions FIRST strategy Read the 1 st, 2 nd, and last paragraphs FIRST Read the 1 st, 2 nd, and last paragraphs FIRST You can figure out what the essay is supposed to be about You can figure out what the essay is supposed to be about This may not be as helpful with the prose passages This may not be as helpful with the prose passages Skim the rest of the passage Skim the rest of the passage Identify the thesis and the topic sentences Identify the thesis and the topic sentences Don’t get hung up on vocabulary you don’t know…just read the passage Don’t get hung up on vocabulary you don’t know…just read the passage Use context of passage to help you get the general meaning of the passage Use context of passage to help you get the general meaning of the passage Early on, figure out the style of the passage…is it historical, cultural, humorous, scientific. Early on, figure out the style of the passage…is it historical, cultural, humorous, scientific. PINCH yourself PINCH yourself

7. Writing for ACT Pace Yourself (30 min. to read prompt, plan, and write) Pace Yourself (30 min. to read prompt, plan, and write) Pre-write…with an understanding Pre-write…with an understanding Create a THESIS (position); Brainstorm IDEAS Create a THESIS (position); Brainstorm IDEAS Write with clarity Write with clarity Develop Ideas----SUPPORT People!!! Develop Ideas----SUPPORT People!!! Organize Essay in a structure (5 paragraphs is a structure ACT tends to like, but you don’t have to use this structure) Organize Essay in a structure (5 paragraphs is a structure ACT tends to like, but you don’t have to use this structure) Topic Sentences; Transitions---DON’T say 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, or In Conclusion/In summary Topic Sentences; Transitions---DON’T say 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, or In Conclusion/In summary Reread your essay Reread your essay

8. Writing for ACT (cont.) Persuasive writing Persuasive writing Point---Task has been understood; Position is clear; Offers critical context for discussion Point---Task has been understood; Position is clear; Offers critical context for discussion Strategies for Persuasion (create complexity) Strategies for Persuasion (create complexity) Examine different perspectives on an issue Examine different perspectives on an issue Evaluate implications and/or complications of the issue Evaluate implications and/or complications of the issue Responds fully to counterarguments to writer’s position Responds fully to counterarguments to writer’s position Conclusion---Looks ahead; reemphasizes position Conclusion---Looks ahead; reemphasizes position

9. Get a 6 (or at least a 5) Intro. & Concl. are clear, effective, and well- developed Intro. & Concl. are clear, effective, and well- developed Ideas are clear and logical Ideas are clear and logical Position is maintained throughout Position is maintained throughout Shows good command of language Shows good command of language Sentences are varied and word choice is varied and precise (no stuff; thing; good/bad; etc…) Sentences are varied and word choice is varied and precise (no stuff; thing; good/bad; etc…) Very few, if any distracting errors Very few, if any distracting errors Ideas are fully supported through examples, analysis, etc… Ideas are fully supported through examples, analysis, etc…

10. Neatness Matters Erase completely…and don’t smear other bubbles while doing so. Erase completely…and don’t smear other bubbles while doing so. Fill in only the little bubble…no stray marks (This is where the ACT tests fine motor coordination you were to learn in Kindergarten) Fill in only the little bubble…no stray marks (This is where the ACT tests fine motor coordination you were to learn in Kindergarten) Double check your test booklet number with the answer sheet…there is more than one version Double check your test booklet number with the answer sheet…there is more than one version Make sure you filled in all of the bubbles. Make sure you filled in all of the bubbles.

11. The Death Grip “Let my pencil go” If your arms tire during the test, it’s because you are holding onto the pencil as if it were your cell phone when a teacher asks you to hand it over for going off in the middle of class If your arms tire during the test, it’s because you are holding onto the pencil as if it were your cell phone when a teacher asks you to hand it over for going off in the middle of class Relax; shake out your hands; flex your hands Relax; shake out your hands; flex your hands DON’T Pop Your Knuckles…that is just plain obnoxious DON’T Pop Your Knuckles…that is just plain obnoxious

12. Knowing It All Not gonna happen Not gonna happen Many questions are designed to test skills beyond your grade, so just answer the questions to the best of your ability Many questions are designed to test skills beyond your grade, so just answer the questions to the best of your ability Remember…you are NOT AP Frank Remember…you are NOT AP Frank

13. After the Test Take a deep breath and relax…there’s nothing you can do until your scores come in. Take a deep breath and relax…there’s nothing you can do until your scores come in. Apologize to your parents for being mean to them as you were stressing for the test Apologize to your parents for being mean to them as you were stressing for the test Celebrate yourself (remember Stuart Smalley) Celebrate yourself (remember Stuart Smalley) Act Sane…while your brain may be on meltdown, you are still in school Act Sane…while your brain may be on meltdown, you are still in school