1. ACT Prep
Test Tips

2. 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.

3. General Tips
*Any of the following actions will result in having to hand in your test materials and leave the test
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)

4. 10 Tips for Taking the ACT
Get plenty of sleep the night before the test
If you feel nervous before beginning, try to relax by taking a few deep breaths
Maintain confidence in your abilities and plan to do your best. Your attitude can affect your performance
Listen carefully to all instructions and ask questions if you hear something you do not understand
Focus your attention entirely on your work
Position your answer sheet next to your test booklet so you can mark answers quickly and accurately
Before answering each question, read it completely, as well as all the possible responses
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
Pace yourself throughout the test by checking the time periodically
If you complete the test early reread the questions and check your answers

5. Appropriate Guessing and Other Tips
There is No Penalty for Guessing on the ACT
Answer EVERY question !!!
Random Guessing
Guessing the letter of the Day C/F = 25% = 11 (score of)
Educated Guessing
Eliminate and guess = 50% = 19 (score of)
Knowledge + Educated Guessing = 21+

6. 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

7. 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!
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!

8. 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

9. Breaking it into Parts English: 75 questions, 45 minutes
Containing two sections:
Usage and Mechanics
Rhetorical Skills
Math:  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

10. 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.
Writing Strategy (12 questions): passage’s effectiveness
Organization (11 questions): individual sentences, individual paragraphs, or the passage as a whole.
Style (12 questions): effective word choice.

11. 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”

12. 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

13. 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.
Explain that within each subsection, they will be tested on more than what is listed here

14. Math Cont’d Plane Geometry (23%): Intermediate Algebra (15%):
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

15. Check Your Math! 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
Guessing?
Try to eliminate first, then guess
Leave nothing unanswered!
Remind kids again about the allowed calculators

16. 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 TI-92and 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
Explain that laptops, computers, and PDA’s are not allowed as well as, calculators with a typewriter keypad-letter keys in QWERTY format are not allowed-letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted

17. 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? 39
59 3=42, Answer is B 63

18. 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? 24
Peter = You might want to
substitute (x) for
Peter 67
One way to solve for Peter: Multiply both sides by 4
( X) = x 4= /4=1 4
123+Peter = 168, Subtract 123 from both sides
= Peter Correct Answer is H

19. ACT Reading Test Vocabulary through context
Read the Passage First, Then Answer the
Questions
Vocabulary through context
Inferences from given evidence
Reasoning from factual evidence
Character and character motivation
Author’s point of view or tone
What are the tone, themes, and major points
Cause-effect relationships
Analyzing the reasons for-and/or the consequences of- an action, event, or decision
Comparisons and analogies

20. Science Section Look for easy ones!
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
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

21. ACT Test Dates Test Date Registration Late Registration Online Score
Deadline Deadline Release
December:
12/10/ /04/ /18/ /26/11
February:
2/11/ /13/ /20/ /27/12
April:
4/14/ /09/ /23/ /30/12
June:
6/09/ /04/ /18/ /25/12

22. Need Help/Have Questions
Your friendly counseling
department is here to help!
Steve Layman A-Coo
Steve Burdick Cop-G
Cindy Kauffman H-L
Brian Ceriani M-Pe
Joy Pearson Pf-Si
Monica Dirmeikis Sk-Z