Writing MC Questions at the
High School Level
Targeting both KCCT and ACT
KASC Conference 9/29/ 2008
Taylora Schlosser
Know the CATS Test
Content
Timing
Scoring
Mathematics
*N, A, P, D
Science
*N, A, P, D
Social Studies
*N, A, P, D
Arts & Humanities
*N, A, P, D
Reading
*N, A, P, D
Practical Living/Vocational Studies
*N, A, P, D
*N=Novice
A=Apprentice
P=Proficient
D= Distinguished
Know the ACT
Sections
Timing
Scoring
English
45 min.
1-36
Math
60 min.
1-36
Reading
35 min.
1-36
Science Reasoning
35 min.
1-36
Total
3 hrs.
1-36
http://www.act.org/path/secondary/testprep.html
What’s on the tests?
CATS
• Each of the six/seven
content tests is based
on the Kentucky Core
Content 4.1
• Each of the six/seven
content tests includes
several sub domains
• Levels of content DOK
1, 2, 3, & 4 (see
KYCC4.1)
ACT
• Each of the four/five
content tests is based
on ACT College
Readiness Standards
(see handout)
• Each of the four/five
tests includes several
content areas
• Levels of content from
1-36
CATS Assessment Questions
• Multiple Choice Questions that are written at
DOK 1, 2, & 3
• See KASC Handout –Use this handout when
writing both CATS Q/ACT Q. (ACT Questions
are written using the same verbs as DOK 1, 2,
3)
• Open Response Questions (not on ACT)
For CATS we have the Core Content
and Program of Studies. Now lets
look at the ACT….what are the big
ticket items on each section? What
is assessed in each content area?
ACT
What is on the English test?
1. Conventions of English
Grammar
Usage
Mechanics
2. Style
Brevity
Word choice
Relevance
3. Organization
Sentence Choice
Sentence Order
Paragraph Order
What is not on the English test?
Spelling
Quotation Marks
Diagramming
Reading Comprehension
Grammar Terms
Vocabulary
Writing
See handout
SAMPLE ENGLISH QUESTIONS
The 4 Types of Reading Passages
• Prose Fiction Passage
A short story or an excerpt from a novel or short story
• Social Science Passage
An essay (or excerpt) about anthropology, archeology, business,
psychology, law, education, economics, etc.
• Humanities Passage
An essay (or excerpt) about architecture, art, dance, film,
language, literary criticism, writing, music, philosophy, radio,
television, theater, etc.
• Natural Science Passage
An essay (or excerpt) about anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics,
medicine, geology, zoology, botany, ecology, etc.
See handout
SAMPLE ACT READING QUESTIONS
What is on the MATH?
• Variable Manipulation
• Plane Geometry
• Proportions and Probability
• Coordinate Geometry and More
1
1. Which of the following letters represents
the vertex in the following picture?
A. D and E
B. E and H
C. F and G
D. G only
E. H only
What is the measure of the solid line angle
depicted by the following figure?
A. 90 degrees
B. 180 degrees
C. 225 degrees
D. 270 degrees
E. 0 degrees
See handout
SAMPLE ACT MATH QUESTIONS
3 Types of Science Passages
Our program recommends that students attack the
questions in the following order:
1. Data Representation (3 passages)
Text without a heading followed by tables, graphs, charts,
and diagrams.
2. Research Summary (3 passages)
Text with headings about 2 or more experiments or studies
relating to the Scientific Method.
3. Conflicting Viewpoint (1 passages)
Passages with headings indicating two scientists or
researchers (who disagree on a given topic.)
See handout
SAMPLE ACT SCIENCE QUESTION
ACT vs CATS
Common
points
ACT
Timed Test
4 Content Tests
College Ready
Written
Optional
MC
All 11th Graders
Verbs
CATS
Extended Time
 7 Contents
State Acct.
Open Response
Required
Things to remember when assessing.
Now What?
• http://www.testprepreview.com/
• http://www.actstudent.org
• http://www.number2.com/
Acknowledgements
• KASC Multiple Choice Materials
• KAPLAN Materials (Sample Questions) and
other information from KAPLAN PowerPoint
Slides