College Admissions Testing Megan Phillips Endeavor Academics
The ACT Four sections: English Math Reading Science Each section is scored on a scale from 1 to 36. Four sections averaged for composite score out of 36. The national average for each section is roughly 21
The ACT Timeline and Section Breakdown EnglishMathReadingScienceEssay 45 Minutes60 Minutes35 Minutes 40 Minutes 75 Questions60 Questions40 Questions 1 Essay Prompt
ACT English Usage/Mechanics Asks students to evaluate: Punctuation Grammar and Syntax Sentence Structure Rhetorical Skills Asks students to evaluate: Writing Strategy Organization Style
ACT Math Mathematics skills typically acquired through 11th grade: Arithmetic Algebra I & II Geometry Trigonometry Important Tips Questions are arranged by order of difficulty. Only four trigonometry problems appear on the test.
ACT Reading Section Structure and Passage Types Prose Fiction Social Science Humanities Natural Sciences Important Tips Tests reading comprehension in a multiple-choice format. No vocabulary study necessary. Routine practice to ensure proper speed and timing is necessary.
ACT Science Three passage formats: Data Representation (graphs & tables) Research Summaries (descriptions of related experiments) Conflicting Viewpoints (expressions of related hypotheses or inconsistent viewpoints) Important Tips: Only basic knowledge of scientific terms and concepts needed. Section tests a student’s ability to quickly retrieve information, not memorize data.
ACT Essay Writing composition skills: Well-developed point of view Consideration of given perspectives Use of specific examples Sentence structure Cogent essay structure Important Tips: The ACT essay is scored separately from the remainder of the exam. Section tests a student’s ability to take a position and defend the position with relevant reasons and examples.
Changes to the ACT Expanded reporting categories-2016 –STEM, English Language Arts, College Readiness indicator, Test Complexity indicator Essay Changes-Fall 2015 –4 scores: ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, language use –3 perspectives Online testing-pilot in 2014, expanding in 2015
ACT Wrap-Up General Summary The ACT is a 5-section test. Assesses a student’s ability to work quickly over lengthy periods. For Further Information visit ACT Test Dates: Saturdays in… Fall: September, October, December Spring: February, April, June
Which test(s) should I take? Take practice tests. Choose one test type (ACT or SAT current version or SAT new version). Consider your college list, particularly when deciding whether to take SAT Subject Tests.
SATACT SATACT SAT to ACT Conversion
When should I test? What was your sophomore year PSAT score? What is your junior year extracurricular schedule like? Unique to this year: which SAT format is a better fit for you?
SAT Test Months Fall: October, November, December Spring: January, March, May, June ACT Test Months Fall: September, November, December Spring: February, April, June Testing Timeline Junior Year Senior Year
Should I Prep? What are your current scores? What are the average scores at schools on your list? How do your grades compare to the average GPA of admitted students?
How should I prep? Do you have the time and discipline to self study? Use real practice exams. If not, is your schedule flexible enough for a group class? Group classes tend to be best for students with average starting scores.
Trends We’re Noticing Students are prepping earlier. ACT is significantly more popular this year. Students take official tests 2+ times. More families are choosing tutoring. More students are using accommodations.
Please feel free to reach out with questions! Megan Phillips