What is the ACT?
How is it used?
How to register?
What are the benefits of doing well?
How does the ACT benefit students not planning to go
to college?
How to improve scores?
• Curriculum-based test
• Measures academic achievement
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English
Math
Reading
Science
Writing (optional)
EXPLORE
8th and 9th grade (score range 1 to 25)
PLAN
10th grade (score range 1 to 32)
ACT
11th and 12th grade (score range 1 to 36)
EXPLORE
PLAN
ACT
1
6
11
16
21
26
31
36
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College Admissions
Talent Identification
Academic Advising
Freshman Course Placement
Awarding Course Credit
Scholarships
• Accepted by all 4-year colleges in the U.S.
• Based on information learned in high school
• More than a college admission exam – helps
plan for life after high school
• Rewards you for what you know
• Choose the scores you send to colleges
• Writing Test is optional
English Test (content & number of items)
Score Scale
Punctuation
Grammar & Usage
Sentence Structure
Strategy
Organization
Style
Total
Score Scales
Mathematics Test (Content & number items)
Pre-Algebra
Elementary Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
Geometry
Coordinate Geometry
Plane Geometry
Statistics/Probability
Trigonometry
Total
Score Scales
Reading Test (Content & number of items)
Prose Fiction
Humanities
Social Studies
Natural Sciences
Total
Science Topics - Biology,
Earth/Space Sciences, Chemistry,
Physics
Score Scales
Science Test (Content & number of items)
Data Representation
Research Summaries
Conflicting Viewpoints
Total
Must be completed in English.
• 1 writing prompt, 30 minutes
• Essay test that measures writing skills
emphasized in high school English classes
and entry-level college composition
courses
• Make and articulate judgments
• Develop a position
• Sustain focus
• Organize and present ideas logically
• Communicate clearly in writing
• Writing Test does not affect multiplechoice test or Composite score
• Reporting of Scores
• Combined English/Writing Score (1-36)
• Writing Test subscore (2-12)
• No penalty for guessing
• Student decides what scores are sent to
colleges
• Length of test: 3 hours 25 min (including
the optional 30 min Writing Test)
• Career planning component
» Usually first week in March (March 4 - 6, 2014)
» March 4 - ACT plus Writing
» March 5 - Work Keys ( Reading, Math and
Locating Information)
» March 6 - MEAP - Math, Science and Social
Studies
• Create a student web account
www.actstudent.org
• Register for the ACT 24/7
• View your scores 3-4 weeks after testing for FREE
• Real-time seat assignment
• Print your admissions ticket
• Receive email reminders
• Decide where to send your scores
• Update your student profile
• FREE sample test questions
• Online registration
• www.actstudent.org
• Paper registration packet only if:
• Younger than 13 years old
• Cannot pay by credit card or with a
serialized voucher/waiver
• Use your high school code: xxx xxx
• Receiving scores
• Online: ACT
• ACT Plus Writing
3-4 weeks
5-8 weeks
• Mailed: ACT
• ACT Plus Writing
3-8 weeks
5-8 weeks
• Sending scores
• 4 total with registration
• Can send additional score reports for fee
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GPA College Prep Courses
GPA in All Subjects
Admissions Test Scores
Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Teacher Letter of Recommendation
Essay/Writing Sample
Class Rank
Student’s Demonstrated Interest
Extracurricular
Source: NACAC ‘State of College Admission’
Remember— Test scores are only one factor used for college admission and
scholarship decisions.
Admissions Guidelines for Michigan Colleges
U of M Ann Arbor
GPA: 3.8
ACT: 29 - 33
Kalamazoo College
GPA: 3.62
ACT: 25- 30
GPA: 3.6
ACT: 23 - 28
Alma College
GPA: 3.5 avg.
ACT: 22 - 27
CMU
WMU
SVSU
GPA: 3.3
ACT: 18 - 25
GPA: 3.2
ACT: 18 - 24
Ferris State
GPA: 3.2
ACT: 18 - 24
Community Colleges
High School Graduation or GED
Michigan State University
Michigan’s 15 public university campuses have varying tuition costs, but
students and parents can generally expect a $10,000 per year commitment in
tuition and fees, according to 2012-13 average figures for freshmen compiled by
the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies.
Saginaw Valley State
Northern Michigan
Eastern Michigan
U-M Flint
Lake Superior State
Grand Valley State
Wayne State
Oakland
Western Michigan
U-M Dearborn
Ferris State
Central Michigan
Michigan State
U-M Ann Arbor
Michigan Tech
These costs do not include
living expenses.
Don’t eliminate any college
because of costs before
receiving financial
assistance information!
REMEMBER…CHECK WITH
COLLEGE OFFICIALS
FOR ACCURATE COSTS.
$8,120
$8,934
$9,114
$9,514
$9,640
$10,078
$10,190
$10,230
$10,282
$10,482
$10,710
$10,950
$12,623
$12,994
$13,35
Source: http://bridgemi.com/2013/03/as-student-debts-mount-universities-see-little-good-news-in-state-budget-figures/
School
Michigan State
University
U of M AA
Grand Valley
U of M Dearborn
Average ACT
(Middle 50%)
ACT Scores For Scholarship
Qualification
30
Preferred, but if core
course is taken in lieu
of, it is waived
Sliding Scale
2 years for LSA college
but none in other
colleges
24-28
28-32
22-26
25
Language
Requirement
Laker
Dean
Faculty
Presidentia
l
23
26
29
32
Maize
and
Blue
Dean
Chanc
ellors
25
27
31
No
No
Western Michigan
23
26
No
Wayne State
University
21
25
No
Eastern Michigan
University
20-21
Presidential
No
21
Alma College
22
Trustee
Dean
Presidentia
l
20
25
28
No, but recommended
School
Graduate Starting Salary
Graduate Mid-Career Salary
Princeton
58,000
123,000
Harvard
57,000
121,000
Michigan
50,000
90,000
Michigan Tech
50,000
90,000
MSU
44,000
81,000
WMU
41,000
74,000
EMU
38,000
71,000
Ferris
42,000
70,000
CMU
40,000
65,000
GVSU
37,000
63,000
Wayne State
36,000
59,000
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Preparing for the ACT
The Real ACT Prep Guide
ACT Online Prep
www.actstudent.org/testprep
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Pace yourself
Read the directions carefully
Read each question carefully
Answer the easy questions first
Use logic on more difficult questions
Answer every question
Review your work
Be precise is marking the answer document
Erase completely
• Take several practice tests, timed
• Review content and format of the ACT
• Focus on improvement, not Composite
score
• Retesting:
• December, April, June test dates
• Receive a copy of the test questions, your
answers, correct answers, and scoring
instructions
• 4 weeks after score report is mailed
• Order at time of registration or up to 3 months
after the test date
 Admission ticket
 Identification
 Sharpened No. 2 pencils
 A watch to pace yourself
 A permitted calculator
www.actstudent.org
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Testing Tips
Sample Questions with Explanatory Answers
ACT Question of the Day
Map of College Majors
Interactive World-of-Work Map
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
www.act.org/path/parent/resource/index.html
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Test FAQ
College planning checklists
Newsletters
Tools and resources
• Financial Aid Need Estimator
• Interactive Map of College Majors
• Interactive Work-of-Work Map
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Why Take the ACT?
Preparing for the ACT (English and Spanish)
Get Set for College
Registering for the ACT
Using Your ACT Results (English and Spanish)
Family Firsts: Guide for Parents of First-Generation
College Students (English and Spanish)
• Family Firsts: Guide for First-Generation College
Students