Preparing
for The ACT
Ginger Green
ACT Southeast Region
ACT Review
• Curriculum-based test
• Measures academic achievement
•
•
•
•
•
English
Math
Reading
Science
Writing (optional)
How is the ACT used?
•
•
•
•
•
•
College Admissions
Talent Identification
Academic Advising
Freshman Course Placement
Awarding Course Credit
Scholarships
Benefits for Students
• 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
• Many ways to prepare
Scores Reported

The ACT






English (1-36)
Mathematics (1-36)
Reading (1-36)
Science (1-36)
Composite
(1-36) An average
The ACT Plus Writing



Combined English and Writing Score
(1-36)*
Writing Test Subscore (2-12) *
Narrative Interpretation of Writing test Subscore
* Composite not affected
Non-cognitive Components
• Student Profile Section:
•
•
•
•
•
High school course/grade information
Education plans, interests, needs
College extracurricular plans
Out of class accomplishments
EOS
• Education and Career Planning
• ACT Interest Inventory
• World-of-Work Map
• College majors and programs
English Test
• 75 questions, 45 minutes
• 5 essays or passages, each with a set of
multiple-choice questions
• Two subscores and a total test score
• Usage/Mechanics
• Punctuation
• Grammar and Usage
• Sentence Structure
• Rhetorical Skills
• Strategy
• Organization
• Style
40 questions
10
12
18
35 questions
12
11
12
Mathematics Test
You may use a permitted calculator.
• 60 questions, 60 minutes
• Multiple-choice questions that require the
use of reasoning skills to solve practical
problems
• Three subscores and a total test score
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pre-Algebra
Elementary Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
Coordinate Geometry
Plane Geometry
Trigonometry
14 questions
10
9
9
14
4
Reading Test
• 40 questions, 35 minutes
• 4 passages, each with a set of multiplechoice questions
• Two subscores and a total test score
• Social Studies/Sciences
• Social Studies
• Natural Sciences
• Arts/Literature
• Prose Fiction
• Humanities
20 questions
10
10
20 questions
10
10
Science Test
You are not permitted to use a calculator.
• 40 questions, 35 minutes
• 7 sets of scientific information – measure
student’s interpretation, analysis,
evaluation, reasoning, and problem
solving skills
• One score - Biology, Earth/Space
Sciences, Chemistry, Physics
• Data Representation
• Research Summaries
• Conflicting Viewpoints
15 questions
18
7
Writing Test (optional)
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
Additional Information
• 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)
Scoring Timeline
• 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 (free)
• Can send additional score reports for fee
How to Register
• Create a student web account and register
online: 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
Test Security Enhancements

Students will be required to:





Provide their gender and upload
a photo of themselves
Provide their high school code
Score reports will be sent
automatically to students’ high schools
All acceptable IDs require a photo
No stand-by walk-ins on day of test
www.act.org/idenhancements
Three Choices for Testing with
Accommodations
ACT Center Testing #1
•
standard time
ACT Center Testing #2
•
50% extended time
ACT Special Testing
•
•
•
at school
> 50% extended time
alternate formats
ACT Center Testing #1



Standard time with accommodations
Regular- or large-type test booklet
Examples:
• Wheelchair access
• Sign-language interpreter to sign
spoken instruction
• Diabetics allowed to eat snacks
during testing
17
Requesting ACT
Center Testing #1
May register on-line or with paper
registration folder:




Student name, address, phone
Explain disability and describe accommodations
Written documentation of accommodations in
school
Name and phone number of school official to
contact if ACT has questions
ACT Center Testing #2

Available all test dates

Small group assigned to separate
room

Up to 50% extended time

Self-paced

Regular (10 pt) or large-type
(18 pt)
5
5
hours for ACT
(no writing)
hours 45 mins.
if ACT Plus Writing
ACT Special Testing at School








More than 50% extended time and/or testing over
multiple days
Alternate formats such as:
• Braille, audiocassette, audio DVD, reader
• Computer or scribe for essay
6 discrete testing windows:
(One in September, October, December,
February, April, and June)
All Special Testing must take place
during a 3-week window that begins
on each National test day.
Double or
triple time

20
Which Form to Submit?

Application for ACT Extended
Time National Testing

Request for ACT Special
Testing
Both may be downloaded from www.actstudent.org.
Select “Students with Disabilities.”
(
Eligibility Requirements

Professionally-diagnosed disability
that precludes testing with standard
time or requires multiple days

Current confirmation of
diagnosis

Current school accommodations
22
Required Documentation

Copy of test accommodations
page from current IEP, or copy of
current 504 or Accommodations
Plan

Showing student name, effective
dates of the plan, and
accommodations provided at
school
23
Recent Diagnosis
or Recent Plan?

•
Within last 3 years:
Submit full written diagnostic documentation
24
No IEP, 504,
or Accommodations Plan?
Exceptions Process:
 Submit school letter detailing
current test accommodations and
frequency of use

If no accommodations at school,
detailed explanation required

Full written diagnostic
documentation required
Common Reasons for Denial

Incomplete application
Missing signatures, no copy of IEP or 504, no
history of accommodations

Diagnosis or plan within last 3 years
Must include written diagnostic documentation,
including full report including all scores and
subscores from diagnostic tests

No description of substantial impairment to
learning caused by the condition
Effects on learning and academic achievement
If a student is denied…




Request reconsideration
Provide missing information
Contact ACT
Dialog with ACT
27
Recent Volumes
•
Over 123,000 requests for extended time or
alternate formats annually
•
ACT typically approves approximately 90%
of all requests
•
Testing with accommodations has remained
constant at about 3-4% of total tests
administered annually
Easy Steps for Repeat
Testing
Extended Time National Testing —
Re-Registration
•
No need to resubmit documentation
•
By phone: specify request for SAME
accommodations previously approved
•
By folder: complete only side 1 of new
Extended Time Application
•
Registering on the web: student will be
reminded that she had accommodations for a
previous National test date. Must indicate if she
wants the same accommodations.
Easy Steps for Repeat Testing
Special Testing — Retest Requests
•
No documentation needed for SAME
accommodations
•
Complete side 1 of new Special Testing
Request Form
•
Enclose copy of ACT accommodations
letter student received for prior testing
Prepare for the Test
•
•
•
•
Preparing for the ACT (free)
The Real ACT Prep Guide
ACT Online Prep
www.actstudent.org/testprep (free)
Preparing for the ACT
(free booklet)




Full-Length Practice Test, including a
Writing Test
Information about the Optional Writing Test
Strategies to Prepare for the Tests
What to Expect on Test Day
The Real ACT Prep Guide
(with or without CD)
5 practice tests each with an optional writing
test
 Explanations for all right and wrong answers
 Test-taking strategies for all 4 subject areas

ACT Online Prep




Familiarizing students with how the test works
Diagnostic Test and 2 practice tests
Custom Study Path
Take the Tour: go to www.act.org, select
The Test, select ACT Online Prep
www.actstudent.org
Student Resources
www.actstudent.org
•
•
•
•
•
•
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
Sample Test Questions
Parent Resources
www.act.org/path/parent/
•
•
•
•
Test FAQ
College planning checklists
Newsletters
Tools and resources
• Financial Aid Need Estimator
• Interactive Map of College Majors
• Interactive Work-of-Work Map
Free Publications for Families
•
•
•
•
•
Why Take the ACT?
Preparing for the ACT (English and Spanish)
Get Set for College
Using Your ACT Results (English and Spanish)
Family Firsts: Guide for Parents of FirstGeneration College Students (English and
Spanish)
• Family Firsts: Guide for First-Generation
College Students
Good Luck!!
Prepare early to be
successful!!!!