Final Review Chapter 17 from From Kaplan ACT Spring Semester 2009 ACT SAT Preparation

Reminder… Please remember that we will also be pulling questions from the midterm study guide: You should open the PowerPoint presentation labeled 3rd Quarter Review for this information

Final Exam Review… We will also be pulling questions from the midterm study guide: You should open the PowerPoint presentation labeled 3rd Quarter Review for this information You will not be allowed to use notes, study guides, or any other materials on the final exam.

Final Exam Review… Chapter 17: Strategic Summaries English test 45 minutes long Five passages 75 questions (questions do not get harder as you go through the section) Economy questions Sense questions Technicality questions The Kaplan Mindset and method When in doubt, take it out – ask does this stuff belong: if you think something does not belong, it probably does not – take it out Make it make sense – does this make sense: choose the answer choice that makes sense Trust your ear – does this sound like English: there are some errors your ear won’t catch, but usely if it sounds bad, then it is

Final Exam Review… Chapter 17: Strategic Summaries English test Special strategies Determine your task Consider the passage as a whole Prephrase your answer: have a good idea what the answer is before looking at the answer choices Timing: 45 minutes: 9 minutes per passage Choose the shortest answer when running out of time: omit is shortest when it appears. Do not skip around in the English subject test. Go straight from the beginning to the end

Final Exam Review… Math test 60 minutes 60 questions (questions do tend to test more advanced math concepts as you go through the test) Types: diagram, story, concept Kaplan mindset The end justifies the means: use unorthodox means if necessary; you don’t have to show your work Take time to save time: make sure you understand the problem before you begin answering When in doubt, shake it up: ACT math questions are not always what they seem The Kaplan Method Understand: focus on the question stem and make sure you understand the problem Analyze: think for a moment and decide on a plan of attack Select: check the answer choices after you get an answer or when you get stuck

Final Exam Review… Math test Special Strategies Back solve: when you get stuck, try out answer choices to find one that works Pick numbers: replace variables with specific numbers Guesstimate: if you get a ballpark estimate of the correct answer you can eliminate one or two answer choices Eyeball: size up diagrams with your eyes if necessary Two pass plan First 45 minutes Second 15 minutes Grid in answers at the end of each page Grid in answers as you go in the last 5 minutes Guess before time is up

Final Exam Review… Reading Test 35 minutes 40 questions Specific detail questions Inference questions Big picture questions Questions do not get harder as you go through the section Four passages: Social Studies, Natural Sciences, Humanities, and Prose Fiction

Final Exam Review… Reading Test Mindset Know where you’re going: anticipate where the story is going, read actively, and don’t get bogged down in details Look it up: the passage is your reference so find the answers in the passage; don’t rely on your memory Kaplan Method Preread the passage: get the gist, structure and organization of the passage Consider the question stem: understand the question before you look at the answer choices Refer to the passage before looking at the answer choices: refer to the passage before answering the question Answer the question in your own words before looking at the answer choices Match your answer with one of the choices in the test booklet

Final Exam Review… Reading Test Special strategies Prose fiction: pay attention to the characters and read between the lines to recognize unspoken emotions and attitudes Nonfiction: the answers to all of the questions can be found in the passage; don’t be thrown off by unfamiliar vocabulary; often the definition is in the passage Timing Take a few seconds at the beginning to look through the passages to gauge the difficulty of each. Skip a passage if it seems very difficult. Treat each passage as a block. Grid in answers for each passage before moving on

Final Exam Review… Reading Test Running out of time Skip the prereading step Look for questions with specific line references Refer to the cited location in the passage Make sure you have gridded an answer to every question before time is called

Final Exam Review… Science Test 35 minutes 7 passages or sets of scientific information: graphs, tables, research summaries, conflicting view points on a single scientific issue 40 questions: Data analysis Experiment questions Principle questions Questions do not get harder as you proceed through the section

Final Exam Review… Mindset Look for patterns: changes, extremes, critical points and variations are more important than the data itself Know your direction: know when scientists are inferring a specific case from a general rule, and when they are using specific data to form a (general) hypothesis Refer, don’t remember: always look back at the data before you answer

Final Exam Review… Kaplan Method Preread: what is the topic and what is being researched? Consider the question stem: Refer to the passage before looking at the answer choices: make sure you read charts and graphs accurately Answer the question in your own words Match your answer with one of the answer choices

Final Exam Review… Special strategies When reading tables and graphs: know what is being represented, know what the axes or columns and row represent, know units of measure, and look for trends in data Know how experiments work: There is usually a control group plus an experimental group. The only difference should be the variation in the factor being tested. Be able to identify what the results show. Understand conflicting viewpoints: focus on the two points of view. What are they disagreeing about? How do they agree? How do they differ? What is the basic theory? What is the data behind the theory?

Final Exam Review… Timing Same as reading Running out of time Do the same as you did in the Reading test When you are running out of time Look for question that refer to specific experiments or to specific graphs or tables Make sure you have gridded in an answer for every question before time is called

Final Exam Review… Writing test Optional 30 minutes One prompt about which you must write an essay which must State a point of view on the issue Support the point of view with concrete, detailed examples Provide a clear and coherent argument Mindset Know some examples: regardless of what question is raised in the prompt you will draw your supporting details from the things you know and are most comfortable writing about Refresh your memory: make lists and brainstorm about your most memorable books, school subjects, historical events, current events, personal experiences, etc.

Final Exam Review… Kaplan Method Pause to know the prompt: read about the issue, take a position on the issue, there is no right or wrong answer Plan: take 5 minutes or less to plan the essay by outlining, cognitive mapping, making lists of reasons and examples to support your position Produce: stick to a plan so you stay true to your plan and position on the issue; write 3-5 well-developed paragraphs; introduction and conclusion paragraphs; write neatly; 350 to 450 words Proofread: save 2 to 5 minutes to review and edit your essay – this means you should actually read back over it Special strategies Stay focused – don’t change your plan mid-essay Make the structure of your essay easy to see with an introductory paragraph 1 st, then 2-4 paragraphs of supporting details, and then a concluding paragraph, every paragraph should be clearly indented YOU MUST WRITE NEATLY. THINK WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WRITING WHEN IT IS HARD TO READ BECAUSE OF SLOPPY HANDWRITING, ETC.!

Final Exam Review… Timing 5 minutes: plan minutes: produce 3-5 minutes: proofread Running out of time DON’T RUN OUT OF TIME! If absolutely necessary, leave out one of your example/supporting detail paragraphs. Tomorrow: 3 rd quarter stuff that will be on the midterm.