WHAT’S WITH THE A.C.T.? WHAT’S WITH THE A.C.T.? Friday, August 28, 2009 Presented by Mrs. Schnur I.S.S./Intervention Specialist

WHY SHOULD I TAKE THE ACT? 1). The ACT is universally accepted by all 4- year colleges & universities in the U.S. 2). The ACT multiple-choice tests are curriculum based. The ACT is not an IQ test. Most students are more comfortable with the ACT than they are with traditional aptitude tests, because the ACT is based on what is taught in your high school curriculum. 3). The ACT is more than a test. The ACT also provides students with a unique Interest Inventory that provides valuable information for career & educational planning & a Student Profile Section that provides a comprehensive profile of your work in high school & your future plans.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED TO TAKE THE WRITING TEST? Some colleges & universities have decided to require or to recommend that their applicants submit scores from the ACT Writing Test. If so, this will be mentioned in the college application.

HOW DO I SIGN UP? 1). You can fill out a registration packet & send it. -You should especially do this if are requesting extended time or other accommodations for the first time or if you want to pay by check or money order. 2). Set up an account & Sign up online. AcdLogin.jsp

WHERE & WHEN CAN I TAKE THE TEST? Miami University -Test Dates: -September 12, October 24, December 12, February 6, April 10, June 12, 2010 Middletown High School -Test Dates: -October 24, December 12, February 6, April 10, June 12, 2010

DEADLINES FOR REGISTRATION Test DateRegistration Deadline(Late Fee Req.) 9/12/098/7/09Aug. 8-21, ‘09 10/24/099/18/09Sept. 19-Oct. 2, ’09 12/12/0911/6/09Nov. 7-20, ‘09 2/6/101/5/10Jan. 6-15, ‘10 4/10/103/5/10Mar. 6-19, ‘10 6/12/105/7/10May 8-21, ‘10

HOW MUCH DOES THE ACT COST? -ACT with no writing= $32 -ACT Plus Writing= $47 -For late registration= cost of test + $21

WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD IT? If you can't afford the registration fee, you may be eligible for an ACT Fee Waiver. To be eligible, you must meet at least 1 indicator of economic need listed on the ACT Fee Waiver form. Ask your counselor for more information. If you are eligible, you may use a maximum of 2 fee waivers total. Fee waivers cover only the basic registration fee for your test option, including up to 4 college choices. You cannot request a fee waiver directly from ACT; you must contact your high school counselor. If you receive an ACT Fee Waiver Form, follow the "Student Directions" on it for your registration method.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREPARE FOR THE ACT? 1). Do not, I repeat DO NOT, wait until the last minute to prepare for the ACT. I suggest waiting no longer than 1 month before the test to start studying. The sooner you start studying, the better you will do on the test. 2). Go to these 2 FREE websites to familiarize yourself with the style of the ACT & to see what kind of questions may be covered on the test: & 3). There is also 1 ACT Prep book available at the Media Center in the reference that you could borrow

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREPARE FOR THE ACT? (CONT.) 4). Go to INFOhio for ACT Practice Tests (this is FREE as well!): reparation/ACT_Prep_LEL 5). If you have the money, there are many products out there that can help you study more extensively for the ACT: - -To purchase ACT online test prep, go to: -You can purchase books that will help you study for the test such as “The Real ACT Prep Guide”.

LAST MINUTE PREP... The Night Before: -Get at least 8 hours of sleep -Eat a healthy dinner The Morning Of: -Eat a good breakfast. Don’t eat something high in sugar since the sugar will wear off quickly & make you hungry & tired. -Get to the testing center on time. -Wear something comfortable. Depending on the month, dress in layers so that you are able to take some layers off or put some on if you are too hot or cold.

WHAT SHOULD I TAKE TO THE TESTING CENTER? Be sure you take these items to the test center: 1). Your admission ticket 2). Acceptable identification- You will not be admitted to test without it. (Your admission ticket alone is not sufficient identification.) 3). Sharpened soft lead No. 2 pencils with good erasers (no mechanical pencils or ink pens). 4). A watch to pace yourself. 5). A permitted calculator, if you wish to use one on the Math Test. Not all calculator models are permitted. -To see if your calculator is permitted, go to

WHAT SHOULD I NOT TAKE? 1). Food or drink (including water) 2). Books, dictionaries, notes, scratch paper, or other aids 3). Highlight pens, colored pens or pencils, or correction fluid/tape 4). ANY electronic device other than a permitted calculator 5). Reading material 6). Tobacco in any form

TIPS FOR TAKING THE ACT 1). Read everything carefully. 2). Pace yourself. 3). Pay attention to the announcement of 5 minutes remaining on each test. 4). Answer the easy questions first, then go back & answer the more difficult ones if you have time remaining on that test. 5).On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining. 6). Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing. 7). If you complete a test before time is called, recheck your work on that test. 8). Mark your answers properly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging. 9). If you get nervous: take a few slow calm breaths or do a muscle tensing & releasing exercise (I will explain).

ACT TRIVIA (Say the answer aloud if you know it!)

1). What subject areas does the ACT cover? English, math, reading, science, & writing (optional)

2). How long does the test take? 4 hours for the ACT without the Writing Test, including administration instructions and breaks The ACT Writing Test adds 30 minutes to the testing time.

3). How often can students take the ACT? Students may take the ACT as often as they wish but only once per national test date. Many students take the test twice, once as a junior and again as a senior.

4). What is the highest possible ACT score? 36

5). How many questions are asked? English: 75 Math: 60 Reading: 40 Science: 40 Total: 215

ANY QUESTIONS??

**Most of the information used in this presentation was found at the ACT website for students: