Preparing for the ACT
CARMEL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, 2015
What is the ACT?

The ACT is a nationally administered college entrance
exam. It is usually taken during the junior year of high
school.

Every college and university in the United States accepts
both the ACT and the SAT, without preference. The ACT
is more popular nationally, and especially in the
Midwest.

ACT scores allow colleges to compare students who
attend different high schools, compensating for factors
like grading policies and the availability of advanced
curricula.
What is the ACT?

The ACT is composed of four
subject matter tests—English,
Math, Reading and Science—
and an optional Writing test.

Scores are given for each
subject on a 36-point scale.
The composite score is the
average of the four subject
tests. The Writing Test is not
included in the composite
score.
“What is a good ACT score?”
National ACT Composite Score Distribution
7
National average is 21.0
% of Students
6
5
CCHS average is 26.2
4
3
2
1
0
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Composite Score
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
National ACT Testing Dates
Register at www.actstudent.org
Late fee is $25.00
Can students prepare for the ACT?

The ACT is based on a set of published standards
which set forth the skills and knowledge students are
expected to possess.

These standards, combined with the test’s consistent
format, make the ACT very “teachable.”

The most effective process is to identify the specific
standards a student has not yet mastered, and to
teach them until they are acquired.
How should you prepare?

Read a wide variety of challenging texts

Read some more

Pay really good attention in math class

Take a prep course like the one offered by
Carmel Catholic High School

Take real practice tests. The best resource
is The Real ACT Prep Guide ($19.62 on
Amazon)
The ACT English Test
75 QUESTIONS, 45 MINUTES
What Does the English Test Measure?
Usage & Mechanics

Sentence Structure

Grammar

Punctuation
Rhetoric
 Topic Development
 Organization
 Word Choice
The English Test is administered over 45 minutes.
The English test consists of five brief essays.
Each essay is accompanied by 15 questions asking students to correct
potential errors in six categories.
Some questions refer to
specific words, phrases, or
sentences. Other questions
are based on the passage
as a whole.
Passages vary in terms of
content, style, complexity
and purpose.
English Test Example
Quick tips for the English Test


Memorize grammar and punctuation rules. There’s no
shortcut, but it’s not that hard. The most important are:

When (and when not) to use commas (e.g., parenthetical
phrases, appositives, coordinating/subordinating conjunctions)

Basic rules for colons and semicolons

Subject-verb agreement
Focus on the content of a passage, not just sentence
elements.

Is the text redundant?

Is it too wordy?

Are details irrelevant?
The ACT Math Test
60 QUESTIONS, 60 MINUTES
What Does the Math Test Measure?

Basic Algebra

Probability

Algebra 1

Geometry

Algebra 2

Trigonometry

Functions
The Math Test is administered
over 60 minutes.

The Math Test contains 60
items, each with five
choices.

The test becomes
progressively more difficult
(i.e., Items 51-60 are the
most challenging)

Calculators may be used,
though ACT prohibits
certain models (e.g., TI-89,
TI-Nspire CAS)
Math Test Examples
Quick tips for the Math Test




Time management is very important. Recognize what
you can’t answer, make a best guess, and move on.
Look for shortcuts. Questions that seem to involve a large
amount of computation usually have a faster solution.
Example: 12!/9!
Re-familiarize yourself with the midpoint formula, 8
distance formula, and other rules you may have
forgotten.
Many students are able to increase their Math scores
dramatically not by learning any new material, but by
mastering topics they should have already learned.
30
18
25
The ACT Reading Test
40 QUESTIONS, 35 MINUTES
What Does the Reading Test Measure?

Fluency (how quickly a student can read)

Vocabulary (the extent of a student’s familiarity with words)

Comprehension (how much a student understands from text)

Memory (how accurate a student can recollect or find
information)

Focus (how capable a student is of remaining engaged)
The Reading Test is administered over 35 minutes.

The Reading test contains four passages, each about 750 words.

The topics are Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science. They are
always arranged in that order.

Each passage is followed by 10
questions measuring students’ ability
to:

Identify main ideas in passages and
their paragraphs

Locate and interpret details stated in
the passage

Understand relationships between
characters, events and ideas

Determine the meaning of words
and phrases used in figurative or
technical contexts

Draw generalizations and
conclusions about people, ideas
and events depicted in the passage
Reading Test Example
Quick tips for the Reading Test

Monitor your pace. To finish on time, you need to
complete each passage and its 10 questions in 8:45.

Don’t rush on the reading. Go slow enough to maximize
comprehension. A rate of 150-190 wpm is normal.

Underline key concepts in the passage.

Try to recall where in the passage important details are
located. Don’t reread to find information.

Never spend more than 45 seconds on a question.
Eliminate wrong answers, guess, and move on.
The ACT Science Test
40 QUESTIONS, 35 MINUTES
What Does the Science Test Measure?

Ability to understand the function of a graph’s elements
(e.g., independent and dependent variables) and to
interpret graphed data

Skill at interpreting charts and diagrams when provided
with sufficient labels

Capacity for interpreting data when presented in tables,
and extrapolating based on identified trends
The Science Test is administered over 35 minutes.

The Science Test contains six passages, each followed by 6-7 questions.

Topics may include biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology,
ecology, climatology, etc. However, students’ content knowledge in these
areas is NOT measured.

Passages require students to:

identify and understand
elements of experimental
design

Interpret and extrapolate
from charts and graphs

Evaluate hypotheses in
light of experimental
results
Science Test Example
Quick tips for the Science Test

Don’t be intimidated by unfamiliar content. ACT is not
measuring whether you know science concepts.

Use the information given to you. Read the passages,
and take time to understand the charts and graphs.

Manage your time. Each of the six passages should take
about 6 minutes.

Practice! There aren’t many standards assessed by the
Science test. After you take a couple, you’ll begin to
recognize the types of questions that are asked.
The ACT Writing Test
OPTIONAL, 40 MINUTES
What Does the Writing Test Measure?

Ability to understand and respect diverse perspectives
on an issue

Capacity for framing an argument and supporting it with
relevant details and explanations

Skill at structuring an organized, focused essay

Talent for writing in a sophisticated manner free of
distracting errors
The Writing Test is administered over 40 minutes.

The Writing Test raises a social issue and offers three different viewpoints.

The task is to analyze and evaluate these perspectives, and to explain the relationship
between them and your own point of view.

Essays are graded by two readers, who each assign a
score of 1-6 in four separate categories:


Ideas and Analysis

Development and Support

Organization

Language Use
The combined score (out of 48) is converted into a
scale score of 1-36.
The Writing Test score is NOT included in
the ACT composite score
Quick tips for the Writing Test

Spend 8-10 minutes creating an outline before
beginning to write.

Make sure your thesis is clear and relevant.

Structure is key! Include a brief introduction and
conclusion, and 2-3 body paragraphs.

Write professionally. Vary your word choice and
sentence structure, paying close attention to
grammar and punctuation.
Distribution of ACT Writing Scores
8
17.2 is national average
% of Students
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Writing Score
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