ACT Aspire Test Strategies for Parents

What is the ACT Aspire? Provides longitudinal assessment data for student growth modeling from elementary grades to high school. • Is empirically linked to the College Readiness Benchmark scores used on the ACT so students can be monitored to determine if they are on track for college and career readiness. • Is aligned to Alabama College and Career Ready Standards. . Identifies a student’s predicted path toward readiness •Highlights gaps between what students have learned and what they need to learn • Uses multiple question types, including technology-enhanced questions, to better assess student knowledge, improve test experiences, and provide more meaningful insights. • Allows the ability to administer via computer or a pencil-and-paper.

What is ACT Aspire? ACT Aspire assesses content areas of reading, math, science, and English in Grades 3-8. When aligned with other assessments such as EXPLORE (8th grade), PLAN (10th grade), ACT (11th grade), and WorkKeys (12th grade), ACT Aspire data will help to show a clear line of growth and trajectory towards the goal of college and career readiness after graduation

Understanding the Student Report

Understanding the Student Report

Understanding the Student Report

Testing Dates 5th Grade- April 11-14, 2016

Testing Reminders Students cannot bring a cell phone or digital device into the testing session Students’ phones should be turned completed off 6th grade students can use calculators but 5th grade students cannot Always let the teacher know immediately if they get any error messages The test will shut off when their time is up

Things That Can Help Them Do Well on the Test 1. Attendance everyday 2. Practicing reading everyday 3. Using math everyday 4. Learning how to organize 5. Ability to Focus 6. Listening skills

‘Twas the Night Before Testing’ Go to bed on time. 10:00 is too late!!! Kids 5-12 need about 10-11 hrs of sleep to perform their very best! Solve family/friend problems before the testing date.. Discuss concerns they may have about the test.

The Morning of Testing Think Positive! Eat a good breakfast Be on time to school Leave phones and digital devices at home Think of the relaxing/fun activities they can do when they get home. Think Positive!

As They Begin To Answer Test Questions: 1. Pace themselves. Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Encourage them to do their best and then move on. 2. Answer the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions skipped.

4. Do not change answers unless very uncertain about the first answer choice. 5. Try to answer every question. Make the most intelligent guess possible if they don’t know the answer.

When Answering Multiple Choice Test Questions: Read the question and all answer choices before marking anything.

What Do we mean by “Process of Elimination”? Go through all the answer choices on a question once. Then go back and eliminate choices that they know for SURE are incorrect. I know C isn’t the answer!

Helpful Testing Tip #1: When Answering Questions on the test: Don't guess blindly. Think about the best answer choice then make it!

Helpful Testing Tip #2: Skip, Return, Check If they finish the test early, check to make sure they have answered all questions.

Helpful Testing Tip: #3 Look for Key Words Finding key words or phrases in the question will help them choose the correct answer.

Helpful Testing Tip #4: Are we communicating? Make sure they understand what the question is asking. Be sure they are responding to the question that is being asked. Be sure to include supporting details

READ the questions first. Reading Passages If the test requires them to read passages and then answer questions about what they read, READ the questions first. By doing this, they will know what they are looking for as they read. This also helps them go faster on the test.

Clues in Reading Passages When there are several questions about a reading passage or chart, look for clues in other questions that will help they with those items about which they are unsure.

What About Math Computation on the Test? When using scratch paper on a math test, double check to make sure that they have copied the problem correctly from the test!

Math Computation Line up place value correctly on their scratch paper (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) or the answer will be incorrect.

More About Math Computation If their answer does not match one of the choices, reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try solving it again.

A Matter of Time If any time remains, spend it on rechecking answers that they were not sure about. As they go back through, do not change answers unless they are sure.

Final Testing Tips Take their time but know do not spend too much time on any one question When the time is up on the test it will automatically shut off

Don’t Stress Out!!! Everybody gets stressed from time to time.

For more information www.discoveractaspire.org