ACT Prep
Test Tips
Results
Your 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
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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
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Get plenty of sleep the night before the test
If you feel nervous before beginning, try to relax by taking a few deep
breaths
3. Maintain confidence in your abilities and plan to do your best. Your
attitude can affect your performance
4. Listen carefully to all instructions and ask questions if you hear
something you do not understand
5. Focus your attention entirely on your work
6. Position your answer sheet next to your test booklet so you can mark
answers quickly and accurately
7. Before answering each question, read it completely, as well as all the
possible responses
8. 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 ACT
o Answer EVERY question !!!
• Random Guessing
o Guessing the letter of the Day C/F = 25% = 11 (score of)
• Educated Guessing
o 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!
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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 Section
Usage 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.
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Writing Strategy (12 questions): passage’s effectiveness
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Organization (11 questions): individual sentences, individual
paragraphs, or the passage as a whole.
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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 Refreshers
4 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
Math
and 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!
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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
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Guessing?
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Try to eliminate first, then guess
Leave nothing unanswered!
Prohibited Calculators
The following types of calculators are prohibited:
• calculators with built-in computer algebra systems
Prohibited calculators in this category include:
– Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI92and 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 Problems
Example 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. 39
B. 42
36+45+74+13
C. 55
4
D. 59
3=42, Answer is B
E. 63
Example Problem II
Medium 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
Peter
J. 67
One way to solve for Peter: Multiply both sides by 4
(36+74+13+X) = 42 42 x 4= 168
4/4=1
4
123+Peter = 168,
Subtract 123 from both sides
- 123
- 123
0
45= Peter
Correct Answer is H
ACT Reading Test
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Read the Passage First, Then Answer the
Questions
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Vocabulary through context
Inferences from given evidence
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Character and character motivation
Author’s point of view or tone
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What are the tone, themes, and major points
Cause-effect relationships
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Reasoning from factual evidence
Analyzing the reasons for-and/or the consequences of- an action,
event, or decision
Comparisons and analogies
Science Section
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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
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Look for easy ones!
Passage Topics-Base Your Answers on the Passage
Understanding of scientific data
• Read the Chart
• Use the Chart
• Handle Graphs
• Take the Next Step
ACT Test Dates
Test Date
Registration
Deadline
Late Registration
Deadline
Online Score
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
Steve Burdick
Cindy Kauffman
Brian Ceriani
Joy Pearson
Monica Dirmeikis
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