The ACT
at
Maui High
11th grade
You CAN go to college!
GENERAL TEST
DETAILS
The what, when, where, how, and why
WHEN is the ACT at MHS?
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
How LONG is the test?
WHAT do you need to bring
with you?
 #2 pencils (at least two; sharpened)
 Photo ID
 Approved calculator
• Your phone IS NOT allowed
• Check out website to see if your calculator is
okay. It’s YOUR responsibility:

http://www.actstudent.org/faq/calculator.h
tml
WHERE is the test
taking place?
 At Maui High
 You will be given a specific room where
to report to.
• Note: You may or may not know the
teacher or other students in the class.
Is EVERYONE taking
the test?
NO
 Freshmen – ACT Explore
 Sophomores – ACT PLAN
Juniors – the actual ACT TEST
 Seniors – None
How MANY SECTIONS are
there and what are they?
FIVE
In order…
1) English
2) Math
3) Reading
4) Science
5) Essay Writing
What is the SCORE range?
1 - 36
WHY is the ACT important?
Used for…
 College admissions
 Placement in courses
 Scholarships
GENERAL TESTTAKING STRATEGIES
Should you guess if you’re not
100% sure of the answer ?
ABSOLUTELY!!!
Answer every question.
No penalty for wrong answers
How should you PACE
yourself ?
BUDGET YOUR TIME!
Don’t spend too much time on any one
question.
Quickly determine how long a question will
take to answer, and then decide whether to
work on it now, return to it later, or guess.
How should you prepare?
Take a PRACTICE TEST.
Know the directions and question types
ahead of time.
You’ll save time by not having to read the
directions during the test.
Test prep Links
(also on mauihigh.org)
1. http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/
2. http://www.studyguidezone.com/pdfs/actteststudyguide.p
df
3. ACT Math Cheat Sheets.pdf
4. A Quick Guide to Basic Parts of Speech.pdf
Should you stay up all night the
night before studying doing lastminute studying for the test?
NO!
Get a good night’s sleep.
The next morning: EAT
BREAKFAST and arrive to your
testing room early.
Other Test-Taking Strategies
 Difficult questions are worth the same points as easy
questions. ANSWER EVERY QUESTION.
 Use PROCESS OF ELIMINATION: eliminate wrong
answers.
 When all else fails…GUESS!!!
 Mark up the test booklet.
 Be precise in marking your answer document. Fill in
correct oval completely.
 Erase completely if changing answer.
The READING TEST
Presented by Social Studies Teachers
Logistics of Reading Test
 # of Questions
 40 questions
 Time
 35 minutes
What does the Reading Test of the
ACT consist of ?
4 Passages
1) Prose Fiction
2) Social Science
3) Humanities
4) Science
 Always in this order
 10 questions per passage
4 Passages
 Know what type of passage is EASIEST for
you. Do that one FIRST.
1. Prose Fiction: excerpts from short stories
and novels
2. Social Science: history, economics,
psychology, political science
3. Humanities: art, music, architecture, dance
4. Science: biology, chemistry, physics
2 Types of Questions
1. Referring
2. Reasoning
2 Types of Questions
Which one – Referring or Reasoning?
Students take stated/implied information and
answer complex questions
REASONING
2 Types of Questions
Information is clearly stated in the passage
REFERRING
Skills
1. Identifying and interpreting details
2. Finding main ideas
3. Comparing and contrasting
4. Understanding cause and effect
5. Identifying generalizations
6. Understanding the meaning of words from context
7. Understanding the sequence of events
8. Making conclusions about voice and method
Example
Passage
Example
Questions
Strategies
1. Quickly skim the reading to get a general
sense of the passage.
 Sometimes you need to read the entire
passage to answer the questions.
2. Answer the questions that refer to specific
words or sentences first.
 Make sure to read around the sentences to
understand the context.
Strategies
3. Move on to the questions that require you
to actually read the paragraphs.
4. When reading Science and Social Studies
passages, focus on MAIN IDEAS.
 usually expressed in the first or last sentences
of paragraphs
 don’t get bogged down by details
Strategies
5. For Literature and Humanities/Arts passages,
focus on DEVELOPMENT / VOICE OF THE
NARRATIVE.
6. Mark the Text regarding the main ideas as you
read.
 circle key terms
 underline definitions, descriptions, details, evidence,
etc.
7. Look back to the passage for reference as you
answer questions.
Any Questions?
HW:
Prepare for next week’s Practice ENGLISH
ACT Test:
 TO DO: Review and study before the
Practice ACT English Test that you’ll be
taking in your English classes next week.
 Check out the links on the Maui High
website.
Please…
• Turn off your phones.
• Take out your #2 pencils.
• Turn your desks forward.
• Use the answer document to record your answers (not
the booklet).
• NO TALKING throughout the DURATION of the
exam.
• 5 minute warning.
Scoring Time
What’s Next?
Go to the ACT Workshop
Focus: READING
 When:
 Thursday, February 5, 2015
 3:00 – 4:00pm
 Where:
 P36
 What:
 Go over answers from today’s practice test.
 Get explanations.
The ENGLISH /
WRITING TEST
Presented by English Teachers
Logistics of English Test
 # of Questions
 75 questions
 Time
 45 minutes
What does the English Test of the
ACT consist of ?
5 Essays with underlined words or phrases
 You will be asked whether the underlined portion
is correct as written or whether one of the three
alternatives listed would be better.
Example
Passage
Example
Question
What does the English Test of the
ACT consist of ?
5 Essays with underlined words or phrases
 Questions about overall organization and style or how the
writing could be revised.
 This is a test of:
 Punctuation
 Grammar / Usage
 Sentence structure
 Rhetorical skills
Strategies
1. Read answer choices carefully to identify subtle differences
between them.
2. Focus on underlined portions of sentences
 Read from the beginning until you get to an underlined
selection, work that question, then resume reading until the
next underlined selection.
3. Often, the shortest choice is the answer because questions
often test for redundancy, verbosity, and irrelevance.
4. Trust your ear – if it sounds weird, it’s probably wrong.
5. Come up with your own answer before looking at the
answer choices.
Strategies
6. Be careful on question stems that say
“not” or “except.”
Strategies
7. Look for the “best” answer among the
choices offered.
8. Re-read each sentence with your answers
to see if the sentence makes sense.
9. Be aware of connotations.
Strategies
10.Know the type of questions:
 Usage / Mechanics
 Rhetorical Skills
Any Questions?
HW:
Prepare for next week’s Practice MATH ACT
Test:
 TO DO: Review and study before the
Practice ACT Math Test that you’ll be taking
in your Math classes next week.
 Check out the links on the Maui High
website.
Please…
• Turn off your phones.
• Take out your #2 pencils.
• Turn your desks forward.
• Use the answer document to record your answers (not
the booklet).
• NO TALKING throughout the DURATION of the
exam.
• 5 minute warning.
Scoring Time
What’s Next?
Go to the ACT Workshop
Focus: ENGLISH / WRITING
 When:
 Thursday, February 12, 2015
 3:00 – 4:00pm
 Where:
 P36
 What:
 Go over answers from today’s practice test.
 Get explanations.
Logistics of Writing Test
 # of Questions
 1 prompt
 Time
 30 minutes
How is the Writing Test scored?
On your ability to…
 formulate an opinion
 maintain focus on your topic
 thoroughly defend your opinion using reason and
supporting ideas
 organize your ideas in a logical way
 use language clearly & effectively
How should you divide up your time?
1. Prep work (5–10 minutes)
 Don’t start writing your essay until you’ve
brainstormed your ideas, organized them, and
written your thesis statement.
2. Essay writing (15–20 minutes)
3. Editing (1–5 minutes) if you have time.
What does a 5-paragraph essay look
like?
1. Opening Paragraph
2. Three Supporting Paragraphs
3. Closing Paragraph
Opening Paragraph
1. How many sentences should the Opening Paragraph be?
 3-5 sentences
2. Other details:
 Starts broad and then gradually narrows to the thesis. In
other words:
1. Begin with a general statement about the subject (you
can restate the question in your own words, showing
your understanding of the topic).
2. Then start discussing your position.
3. End the opening paragraph with your thesis statement.
Three Supporting Paragraphs
1. How many sentences should your THREE Supporting
Paragraphs be?
 5-8 sentences EACH
2. Other details:
 One counter-argument paragraph and two additional
supporting paragraphs. Discuss one example in each
paragraph.
 Make sure to explain how each example supports your
argument.
 Go beyond superficial statements.
 End each supporting paragraph with a statement directly
Closing Paragraph
1. How many sentences should your Closing Paragraph be?
 3-5 sentences EACH
2. Other details:
 Your closing paragraph can either start with a restatement
of your thesis and then broaden, or begin with a broad
summary and end with a restatement of your thesis.
 Summarize your arguments.
 Feel free to include one last thought-provoking comment
to show that you understand the topic.
Sample Essay Prompt #1
A school board is concerned that the state’s requirements for
core courses in mathematics, English, science, and social
studies may prevent students from taking important elective
courses like music, other languages, and vocational
education. The school board would like to encourage more
high school students to take elective courses and is
considering two proposals. One proposal is to lengthen the
school day to provide students with the opportunity to take
elective courses. The other proposal is to offer elective
courses in the summer. Write a letter to the school board in
which you argue for lengthening the school day or for
offering elective courses during the summer. Explain why you
think your choice will encourage more students to take
elective courses. Begin your letter: “Dear School Board:”
Sample Essay Prompt #2
Many successful adults recall a time in life when they were
considered a failure at one pursuit or another. Some of these
people feel strongly that their previous failures taught them
valuable lessons and led to their later successes. Others
maintain that they went on to achieve success for entirely
different reasons. In your opinion, can failure lead to success?
Or is failure simply its own experience? In your essay, take a
position on this question. You may write about either one of
the two points of view given, or you may present a different
point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your position.
What’s Next?
Go to the ACT Workshop
Focus: ENGLISH / WRITING
 When:
 Thursday, February 12, 2015
 3:00 – 4:00pm
 Where:
 P36
 What:
 Take your essay there to get
peer/teacher feedback.
The MATH TEST
Presented by Math Teachers
Logistics of Math Test
 # of Questions
 60 questions
 Time
 60 minutes
What does the Math Test of the
ACT consist of ?
Mostly Algebra and Geometry questions
 Only 4 out of 60 questions are from trigonometry
What do you need to know?
Basic math terms, principles, and formulas.
NO FORMULAS ARE GIVEN.
Strategies
1. Questions tend to get more difficult near
the end of the test.
2. Go through the questions in TWO passes:
 Pass ONE – questions that are easier/faster
for you
 Pass TWO – tackle questions that will take
more time for you to complete
Strategies
3. When in doubt, try multiple strategies:
 Look at the answers and plug them in (start with
the middle answer).
 Substitute numbers for variables.
 Reason out the answer by viewing the question
as a logic puzzle rather than a math problem.
4. Make sure you understand exactly what
each question is asking.
Strategies
5. For Geometry problems, look at the
diagram for clues.
 If there is no diagram, SKETCH ONE.
6. Use the calculator to perform quick/simple
calculations.
Any Questions?
HW:
Prepare for next week’s Practice SCIENCE
ACT Test:
 TO DO: Review and study before the
Practice ACT Science Test that you’ll be
taking in your Science classes next week.
 Check out the links on the Maui High
website.
Please…
• Turn off your phones.
• Take out your #2 pencils.
• Turn your desks forward.
• Use the answer document to record your answers (not
the booklet).
• NO TALKING throughout the DURATION of the
exam.
• 5 minute warning.
Scoring Time
What’s Next?
Go to the ACT Workshop
Focus: MATH
 When:
 Thursday, February 19, 2015
 3:00 – 4:00pm
 Where:
 P36
 What:
 Go over answers from today’s practice test.
 Get explanations.
The SCIENCE TEST
Presented by Science Teachers
Logistics of Science Test
 # of Questions
 40 questions
 Time
 35 minutes
What does the Science Test of the
ACT consist of ?
Involves:
 Biology
 Chemistry
 Earth/Space Science
 Physics
Science Test also involves…
 Interpreting data representation (graphics and tables)
 Understanding research summaries
 Identifying conflicting viewpoints
Tips
 CANNOT use calculators
 Only a few questions require knowledge
of scientific facts (approx. 3 out of 40).
 Answers might not be in the same
measurement units used in the graphs
and tables. PAY ATTENTION.
Strategies
Look at…
 the questions before you read the experiment
summaries or graphs/charts
 Most questions require you to interpret a
graph or chart.
 Don’t get lost in numbers, jargon, or details.
Focus on the MAIN IDEAS first, and see how
many questions you can answer by looking at
graphs/charts.
Strategies
Look at…
 graphs and tables carefully to identify the
following:
• what labels mean
• what the table shows
• trends
• units of measurement
Strategies
Look for patterns:
 extremes
 critical points (points of change)
 variation (the way two things change in relation
to each other)
Strategies
Know the types of passages and develop strategies for
each:
 data representation
 research summaries
 conflicting viewpoints
Any Questions?
Please…
• Turn off your phones.
• Take out your #2 pencils.
• Turn your desks forward.
• Use the answer document to record your answers (not
the booklet).
• NO TALKING throughout the DURATION of the
exam.
• 5 minute warning.
Scoring Time
What’s Next?
Go to the ACT Workshop
Focus: SCIENCE
 When:
 Thursday, February 26, 2015
 3:00 – 4:00pm
 Where:
 P36
 What:
 Go over answers from today’s practice test.
 Get explanations.