1. ACT Mathematics Test Prep Strategies to help you Improve your math scores

2. Mathematics Introduction Your goal on the ACT is to get as many correct answers as possible in 60 minutes. Many strategies can be used to achieve these correct answers (aside from cheating). Do not stress over 60 correct answers. 40 correct gets you a 25 on the ACT. 40 is only 67% of the answers correct. (Math was used to figure out this factual comment…easy huh!)

3. Strategies: Time Management The most advanced math on the ACT is Trigonometry and there are four questions on the test. Leave them for last and guess if needed. FOCUS ON THE ALGEBRA QUESTIONS they should be the easiest and make up the largest part of the test. Answer the ones you know…come back to the ones you don’t.

4. Time management Strategies cont. If one of the choices is not your answer, narrow down choices by eliminating answers you know are definitely wrong, then guess. Know what a problem is asking you to figure out before starting. Use a two-pass approach…first pass answering all question you know and second pass (last 15 min. to try the ones you skipped or didn’t get. Don’t visit a question for a third time…it is a waste of time.

5. Definition Alerts Integers include 0 and negative whole numbers. “Evens and Odds” include 0 and neg. whole numbers. Prime numbers do not include 1. Remainders are integers (15 / 2 = 7 with a remainder of 1 not 7.5)

6. Estimating and Guesstimating Eyeballing can be used to choose a guess aӨb (if line ab = 10 what would a line running from top to bottom of the circle be? A. 5 B. 15 C. 20 D. 40 Guessing after eliminating obvious wrong answers is better than not answering…there is no penalty for guessing.

7. PEMDAS When performing multiple operations, remember to perform them in the right order: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and or Division, Addition and or Subtraction. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally

8. Other Tips to Remember Don’t be afraid to pencil in additions to given Diagrams. Sketch your own figures for figureless problems to better understand what they are saying. Break down complex problems into simpler parts.