Ginger Green ACT Southeast Region Preparing for The ACT Ginger Green ACT Southeast Region

ACT Review Curriculum-based test Measures academic achievement English Math Reading Science Writing (optional)

How is the ACT used? College Admissions Talent Identification Academic Advising Freshman Course Placement Awarding Course Credit Scholarships

Benefits for Students Accepted by all 4-year colleges in the U.S. Based on information learned in high school More than a college admission exam – helps plan for life after high school Rewards you for what you know Choose the scores you send to colleges Writing Test is optional Many ways to prepare

Scores Reported The ACT The ACT Plus Writing * Composite not affected English (1-36) Mathematics (1-36) Reading (1-36) Science (1-36) Composite (1-36) An average The ACT Plus Writing Combined English and Writing Score (1-36)* Writing Test Subscore (2-12) * Narrative Interpretation of Writing test Subscore * Composite not affected

Non-cognitive Components Student Profile Section: High school course/grade information Education plans, interests, needs College extracurricular plans Out of class accomplishments EOS Education and Career Planning ACT Interest Inventory World-of-Work Map College majors and programs

English Test 75 questions, 45 minutes 5 essays or passages, each with a set of multiple-choice questions Two subscores and a total test score Usage/Mechanics 40 questions Punctuation 10 Grammar and Usage 12 Sentence Structure 18 Rhetorical Skills 35 questions Strategy 12 Organization 11 Style 12

Mathematics Test 60 questions, 60 minutes You may use a permitted calculator. 60 questions, 60 minutes Multiple-choice questions that require the use of reasoning skills to solve practical problems Three subscores and a total test score Pre-Algebra 14 questions Elementary Algebra 10 Intermediate Algebra 9 Coordinate Geometry 9 Plane Geometry 14 Trigonometry 4

Reading Test 40 questions, 35 minutes 4 passages, each with a set of multiple-choice questions Two subscores and a total test score Social Studies/Sciences 20 questions Social Studies 10 Natural Sciences 10 Arts/Literature 20 questions Prose Fiction 10 Humanities 10

Science Test 40 questions, 35 minutes You are not permitted to use a calculator. 40 questions, 35 minutes 7 sets of scientific information – measure student’s interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving skills One score - Biology, Earth/Space Sciences, Chemistry, Physics Data Representation 15 questions Research Summaries 18 Conflicting Viewpoints 7

Writing Test (optional) Must be completed in English. 1 writing prompt, 30 minutes Essay test that measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and entry-level college composition courses Make and articulate judgments Develop a position Sustain focus Organize and present ideas logically Communicate clearly in writing

Additional Information No penalty for guessing Student decides what scores are sent to colleges Length of test: 3 hours 25 min (including the optional 30 min Writing Test)

Scoring Timeline Receiving scores Sending scores Online: ACT 3-4 weeks ACT Plus Writing 5-8 weeks Mailed: ACT 3-8 weeks Sending scores 4 total with registration (free) Can send additional score reports for fee

How to Register Create a student web account and register online: www.actstudent.org Register for the ACT 24/7 View your scores 3-4 weeks after testing for FREE Real-time seat assignment Print your admissions ticket Receive email reminders Decide where to send your scores Update your student profile FREE sample test questions

Test Security Enhancements Students will be required to: Provide their gender and upload a photo of themselves Provide their high school code Score reports will be sent automatically to students’ high schools All acceptable IDs require a photo No stand-by walk-ins on day of test www.act.org/idenhancements

Three Choices for Testing with Accommodations ACT Center Testing #1 standard time ACT Center Testing #2 50% extended time ACT Special Testing at school > 50% extended time alternate formats ACT provides three types of testing for students with disabilities. The first order of business is to chose the testing type that can provide the student with the accommodations he or she needs in order to access the test. Each of the three testing choices results in a college-reportable score.

ACT Center Testing #1 Standard time with accommodations Regular- or large-type test booklet Examples: Wheelchair access Sign-language interpreter to sign spoken instruction Diabetics allowed to eat snacks during testing ACT Center Testing #1 takes place at a National Test center and is for students who can test with standard time and regular or large-type, plus other accommodations. Most basic sort of access.

Requesting ACT Center Testing #1 May register on-line or with paper registration folder: Student name, address, phone Explain disability and describe accommodations Written documentation of accommodations in school Name and phone number of school official to contact if ACT has questions Written requests must come in with a paper registration folder. Details are in the registration booklet, and on the web.

5 hours for ACT (no writing) ACT Center Testing #2 Available all test dates Small group assigned to separate room Up to 50% extended time Self-paced Regular (10 pt) or large-type (18 pt) These students may also request any of the accommodations available Center Testing #1 Center Testing #2 is the same as National Extended Time The term ‘self-paced’ means that the student has a block of time to complete all the tests in the examination in standard order. The student can choose to spend whatever amount of time he or she pleases on each subject test, as long as the test is finished within the allowed time. Students are advised during testing of the time elapsed and encouraged to move on to the next test. Students who can test with time-and-a-half using regular or large-print materials will be shifted to this option even if they apply for Special Testing. 5 hours for ACT (no writing) 5 hours 45 mins. if ACT Plus Writing

ACT Special Testing at School More than 50% extended time and/or testing over multiple days Alternate formats such as: Braille, audiocassette, audio DVD, reader Computer or scribe for essay 6 discrete testing windows: (One in September, October, December, February, April, and June) All Special Testing must take place during a 3-week window that begins on each National test day. ACT assigns a timing code based on the diagnosis and format of the testing materials - may be double or triple time – some formats, by their nature take longer to use. Braille, for example or any of the audio formats. Standard time over multiple days must also be requested. The testing year for special testing begins with the September test date and ends two weeks after the June test date. Applications for students who do not plan to take the Writing Test are accepted on a rolling fashion and need not synchronize with the ACT National test dates. However, students who take the ACT Plus Writing must test within the 2-week test date window. Accommodations for the Writing Test: Students diagnosed only with developmental writing disorder, disorder of written expression, or dysgraphia are NOT eligible for extended time on the multiple choice tests but MAY be eligible for extended time only on the Writing Test. Such students may be authorized for standard-time on the multiple choice and double time on the Writing Test. If approved, they must test through Special Testing. Students approved for a scribe or a computer to respond to the Writing Test must also test through Special Testing. Double or triple time

Which Form to Submit? Application for ACT Extended Time National Testing Request for ACT Special Testing Supplies of both forms are distributed to high schools each fall. Both are also available for downloading on our website. One feature of the website is a comparison chart that may help students choose the correct test option. It is important to use the right form for the type of testing you are requesting. (Both may be downloaded from www.actstudent.org. Select “Students with Disabilities.”

Eligibility Requirements Professionally-diagnosed disability that precludes testing with standard time or requires multiple days Current confirmation of diagnosis Current school accommodations Eligibility requirements are the SAME whether requesting Special Testing or Extended Time National Testing. By ‘professionally diagnosed’ ACT means a diagnostic professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or medical physician or a school team making an identification through the special education IEP process. ACT considers yearly IEP plans and 504 Plan extensions as well as IEP reevaluations that speak to, but indicate no need for, further formal assessment as current confirmation of diagnosis. The accommodations being requested must be on his/her IEP or 504, and used at school for similar tests.

Required Documentation Copy of test accommodations page from current IEP, or copy of current 504 or Accommodations Plan Showing student name, effective dates of the plan, and accommodations provided at school Requests will not be reviewed unless required documentation is included. Independent schools are encouraged to develop a team process for writing and documenting an official accommodations plan. Be sure the copy of the IEP, 504 or accommodations plan includes the student’s name and the effective dates of the plan, and be sure it clearly states the accommodations provided in school. Check to be sure those are consistent with the accommodations you are requesting.

Recent Diagnosis or Recent Plan? Within last 3 years: Submit full written diagnostic documentation Most disorders that reach the level of disability are developmental in nature. If student’s diagnosis is relatively new, or if an accommodations plan was added at school within last 3 years, submit complete diagnostic information. Students are typically diagnosed at a young age. Questions arise regarding the functional limitation experienced by a student if they have progressed through school without accommodations until the 11th or 12th grade. Diagnostic documentation is sensitive and protected information. ACT follows a confidentiality policy consistent with Federal requirements

No IEP, 504, or Accommodations Plan? Exceptions Process: Submit school letter detailing current test accommodations and frequency of use If no accommodations at school, detailed explanation required Full written diagnostic documentation required Provide as much information as you can -- we can know only as much as the documentation submitted tells us. Allow additional time for review of exceptions. ACT applies the same documentation requirements and ADA standards to students from independent or parochial schools as those from public school.

Common Reasons for Denial Incomplete application Missing signatures, no copy of IEP or 504, no history of accommodations Diagnosis or plan within last 3 years Must include written diagnostic documentation, including full report including all scores and subscores from diagnostic tests No description of substantial impairment to learning caused by the condition Effects on learning and academic achievement The most frequent reason for denial is incomplete submissions -- check everything carefully before sending it in. If requesting Extended Time National Testing, student will also need to submit a completed paper registration folder the first time he or she requests test accommodations. Students with long-standing IEPs and well-stated diagnoses, and accommodations consistent with those on their current plans, will generally be approved. If diagnosis is overly broad or general -- e.g., the form states it must be more specific than “learning disabled,” “other health impaired,” “perceptual communications disorder,’ auditory processing deficits” -- we will ask for more information. Having a diagnosis alone is not sufficient -- there must be a resulting functional limitation.

If a student is denied… Request reconsideration Provide missing information Contact ACT Dialog with ACT Students and their parents have the major responsibility for completing Requests for Extended Time National Testing. ACT sends denial letters directly to them. The Special Testing test supervisor completes the Request for Special Testing. Both the testing supervisor and the family receive Special Testing denial letters. The denial letter tells what information is missing. The reconsideration process can continue as long as there is additional information to review. Sometimes, when the deadline for submitting additional documentation for a particular test date is near, a reconsideration must be for a future test date. Remember, all ACT knows about your student is what you have told us. You know your students better than ACT can ever know them. ACT considers information from schools as reliable. When a teacher calls in to tell ACT that we don’t understand her student’s situation, we consider it an opportunity to learn.

Recent Volumes Over 123,000 requests for extended time or alternate formats annually ACT typically approves approximately 90% of all requests Testing with accommodations has remained constant at about 3-4% of total tests administered annually

Easy Steps for Repeat Testing Extended Time National Testing — Re-Registration No need to resubmit documentation By phone: specify request for SAME accommodations previously approved By folder: complete only side 1 of new Extended Time Application Registering on the web: student will be reminded that she had accommodations for a previous National test date. Must indicate if she wants the same accommodations. If a student has been approved for test accommodations for Extended Time National Testing, there are three easy ways to re-register – by telephone, by folder and on the web.

Easy Steps for Repeat Testing Special Testing — Retest Requests No documentation needed for SAME accommodations Complete side 1 of new Special Testing Request Form Enclose copy of ACT accommodations letter student received for prior testing Students who tested through Special Testing may not re-register on the web. The test supervisor must complete and sign side 1 of the new Special Testing Request Form.

Prepare for the Test Preparing for the ACT (free) The Real ACT Prep Guide ACT Online Prep www.actstudent.org/testprep (free)

Preparing for the ACT (free booklet) Full-Length Practice Test, including a Writing Test Information about the Optional Writing Test Strategies to Prepare for the Tests What to Expect on Test Day

The Real ACT Prep Guide (with or without CD) 5 practice tests each with an optional writing test Explanations for all right and wrong answers Test-taking strategies for all 4 subject areas

ACT Online Prep Familiarizing students with how the test works Diagnostic Test and 2 practice tests Custom Study Path Take the Tour: go to www.act.org, select The Test, select ACT Online Prep

www.actstudent.org

Student Resources www.actstudent.org Testing Tips Sample Questions with Explanatory Answers ACT Question of the Day Map of College Majors Interactive World-of-Work Map Financial Aid and Scholarship Information

Sample Test Questions

Parent Resources Test FAQ College planning checklists Newsletters www.act.org/path/parent/ Test FAQ College planning checklists Newsletters Tools and resources Financial Aid Need Estimator Interactive Map of College Majors Interactive Work-of-Work Map

Free Publications for Families Why Take the ACT? Preparing for the ACT (English and Spanish) Get Set for College Using Your ACT Results (English and Spanish) Family Firsts: Guide for Parents of First-Generation College Students (English and Spanish) Family Firsts: Guide for First-Generation College Students

Prepare early to be successful!!!! Good Luck!! Prepare early to be successful!!!!