ACT PrepTest Tips

ResultsYour results give you opportunities but do not

decide your fate

• Scores Range from 0-36 in each section – You don’t have a 36 to get into the school of your

choice

• 21 is average. – Shoot for above average

• You can always retake the ACT or SAT– All colleges and universities use the SAT and ACT for admission.

General Tips

*Any of the following actions will result in having to hand in your test materials and leave the test

• continuing to write an essay after the allotted time has expired

• looking at another examinee’s test booklet or answer sheet

• looking back at a test in which time has been called • glancing ahead in the test booklet • using an unauthorized calculator • using any device used to share or exchange information at

any time during the test or break-including cell phone’s • using the calculator on any other section than the

Mathematics portion • attempting to remove any testing material from the room • not following instructions • creating a disturbance (including allowing a cell phone to

sound off)

10 Tips for Taking the ACT

1. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test2. If you feel nervous before beginning, try to relax by taking a few

deep breaths3. Maintain confidence in your abilities and plan to do your best.

Your attitude can affect your performance4. Listen carefully to all instructions and ask questions if you hear

something you do not understand5. Focus your attention entirely on your work6. Position your answer sheet next to your test booklet so you can

mark answers quickly and accurately7. Before answering each question, read it completely, as well as all

the possible responses8. If you feel unsure of an answer, choose the one you think is best

and move on. There is no penalty for guessing so be sure to answer every question

9. Pace yourself throughout the test by checking the time periodically

10. If you complete the test early reread the questions and check your answers

Appropriate Guessing and Other Tips

• There is No Penalty for Guessing on the ACTo Answer EVERY question !!!

• Random Guessing o Guessing the letter of the Day C/F = 25% = 11

(score of)

• Educated Guessingo Eliminate and guess = 50% = 19 (score of)

• Knowledge + Educated Guessing = 21+

Appropriate Guessing and Other Tips Cont’d

• KNOW THY TEST• Study your practice test (s)

• Sample Tests available at: ACTstudent.org• Test Tips: ACTstudent.org• Preparing for the ACT: ACTstudent.org and/or

sparknotes.com• Directions and Format : ACTstudent.org• What Could You Have Done to Get the Question

Right? • Lack of Knowledge- use ACTstudent.org and/or

SparkNotes.com for help• Guessing Wrong • Carelessness • If You Left the Question Blank –Fill in ALL

Blanks

General Test-Taking Strategies

• Pace Yourself• Set a Target Score

• Be honest and realistic• Pace Yourself with goal in mind- don’t pay attention to

others• General idea of time.. to keep pace.

• If close, complete the last ones with letter of the day• No marks after time is called• Do not try to be clever! When time is called, you are

done!

• Read the directions to each section carefully• Answer the easy questions first• Use logic in the more difficult questions• Be precise in marking your answer sheet• Erase completely• Remember- NO PENALTY FOR GUESSING!

Multiple Choice• Skip?.....Not always time to come back

• Don’t spend more than a minute or two on any question

• Only the Answer Matters

• You’ve Already Got the Answers– Trust in yourself and be confident

• ALWAYS Guess When You Don’t Know the Answer

Breaking it into Parts

• English: 75 questions, 45 minutes• Containing two sections:

• Usage and Mechanics• Rhetorical Skills

• Math: 60 questions, 60 minutes  

BREAK

• Reading: 40 questions, 35 minutes• Science: 40 questions, 35 minutes

• Optional Writing on other ACT tests– Know whether the college you are looking at requires this

section be completed

English SectionUsage and Mechanics:40 questions -deal with the proper use of standard

written English • Punctuation (10 questions)• Basic Grammar and Usage (12 questions)• Sentence Structure (18 questions)

Rhetorical Skills Questions:35 questions - written English. • Writing Strategy (12 questions): passage’s

effectiveness • Organization (11 questions): individual

sentences, individual paragraphs, or the passage as a whole.

• Style (12 questions): effective word choice.

English Section Cont’d

• Skim the Entire Passage before Answering the Questions- context matters

• Answer the Questions in the Order They Appear • Not in Order of Difficulty- Only test that is NOT • Eliminate Answer Choices, then Guess • Avoid Being Influenced by the Answer Choices• Choose “NO CHANGE” = approximately 20% of

time• If the Phrase Doesn’t Fit…”You Must OMIT”

English Refreshers4 Main Sentence Structure Errors:

• Sentence Fragments: Caused by dependent clauses, with no second half to complete it

• Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences: A run-on sentence is one that is too long to read in on breath or a sentence that would make more sense if split up into separate sentences

• Misplaced Modifiers: A modifying phrase needs to be near what it is modifying. If it gets too far away, it can get misplaced

• Parallel Construction: To catch these types of problems, watch for a series of nouns or verbs

Mathand what is covered on the test…

9-10th grade math = 78% of test; You can earn 26!

• Pre-Algebra (23%): – basic operations using whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and

integers; place value; square roots and approximations; the concept of exponents; factors; ratio, proportion, and percent;

• Elementary Algebra (17%): – exponents and square roots, evaluation of algebraic expressions

through substitution, using variables to express functional relationships, and the solution of quadratic equations by factoring

• Coordinate Geometry (15%): – graphing and the relations between equations and graphs,

including points, lines, polynomials, circles, and other curves; graphing inequalities; slope; parallel and perpendicular lines; distance; midpoints; and conics.

Math Cont’d

• Plane Geometry (23%):– properties and relations of plane figures, including

angles; properties of all shapes; transformations; the concept of proof and proof techniques; volume; and applications of geometry to three

• Intermediate Algebra (15%):– quadratic formula; rational/radical expressions;

absolute value equations and inequalities; sequences and patterns; systems of equations; quadratic inequalities; functions; modeling; matrices; roots of polynomials; and complex numbers. dimensions

• Trigonometry (7%- 4 questions): – solving trigonometric equations; trigonometric

relations in right triangles; values, properties, and graphing of trigonometric functions; modeling; and use of trigonometric identities

Check Your Math!

• Know the instructions ahead of time• 5 choices –watch bubbling• Calculator – what is allowed• Avoid Partial Answers• Order of Difficulty • Read, check question, plan, answer as if there were no

answer choices• Make sure to answer to question asked• Make sure your answer is reasonable• Match your answer to the answer choices given• Fill in the appropriate bubble on the answer sheet

• Guessing? – Try to eliminate first, then guess

• Leave nothing unanswered!

Prohibited Calculators

The following types of calculators are prohibited:

• calculators with built-in computer algebra systemsProhibited calculators in this category include:– Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-

89 or TI-92and the TI-Nspire CAS—Note: The TI-Nspire (non-CAS) is permitted.

– Hewlett-Packard: HP 48GII and all model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G, or HP 50G

– Casio: Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300 and ClassPad 330, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G

•  electronic writing pads or pen-input devices—Note: The Sharp EL 9600 is permitted.

• calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices

Math ProblemsExample Math Problem:Easy Problem:Cynthia, Peter, Nancy, and Kevin are all carpenters.

Last week, each built the following number of chairs:

Cynthia-36, Peter-45, Nancy-74, and Kevin-13

What was the average number of chairs each carpenter built lat week?

A. 39B. 42 36+45+74+13 C. 55 4D. 59 3=42, Answer is BE. 63

Example Problem IIMedium Problem:Four Carpenters built an average of 42 chairs each last week.

If Cynthia built 36 chairs, Nancy built 74 chairs, and Kevin built 13 chairs, how many chairs did Peter build?

F. 24 G. 37 36+74+13+Peter = 42 You

might want to H. 45 4 substitute (x)

for I. 53 PeterJ. 67One way to solve for Peter: Multiply both sides by 4(36+74+13+X) = 42 42 x 4= 168 4/4=1

4123+Peter = 168, Subtract 123 from both sides

- 123 - 123

0 45= Peter Correct Answer is H

ACT Reading Test• Read the Passage First, Then Answer the Questions• Vocabulary through context • Inferences from given evidence

– Reasoning from factual evidence

• Character and character motivation • Author’s point of view or tone

– What are the tone, themes, and major points

• Cause-effect relationships– Analyzing the reasons for-and/or the

consequences of- an action, event, or decision

• Comparisons and analogies

Science Section• Read the Passage First for a General

Understanding• Don’t Be Afraid of the Scientific Jargon• Talk to Yourself and Make Notes• Restate the question, refer back, then answer• Order of Difficulty-increases• Look for easy ones!• Passage Topics-Base Your Answers on the

PassageUnderstanding of scientific data• Read the Chart• Use the Chart • Handle Graphs • Take the Next Step

ACT Test Dates

Test Date Registration Late Registration Online Score

Deadline Deadline Release

December:12/10/11 11/04/11 11/18/11

12/26/11

February:2/11/12 1/13/12 1/20/12

2/27/12

April:4/14/12 3/09/12 3/23/12

4/30/12

June:6/09/12 5/04/12 5/18/12

6/25/12

Need Help/Have Questions

Your friendly counseling department is here to help!

Steve Layman A-CooSteve Burdick Cop-GCindy Kauffman H-LBrian Ceriani M-PeJoy Pearson Pf-SiMonica Dirmeikis Sk-Z