1. Preparing for the ACT in one week
ACT Prep
Preparing for the ACT in one week

2. General information ACT takes 3 hours and 25 minutes
There are 4 sections
English
Math
Reading
Science

3. General tips Pace yourself – bring a watch (not phone).
Answer EVERY question
Read each question carefully
Answer easy questions first
Eliminate wrong options
Be precise in filling out the answer sheet
Erase completely
Calculator
Best option
Use logic. Eliminate wrong answers then compare those left. What is different about them

4. More tips Become familiar with the test Refresh your knowledge
Identify the content you have not studied.
Look over the pages see what will be on the test
It might have been a while that you learned some of the stuff. Go back and review

5. English 75 questions --- 45 minutes 5 essays or passages
Usage and mechanics
Punctuation (13%)
Grammar, usage (16%)
Sentence structure (24%)
Rhetorical skills –
Strategy (16%)
Organization (15%)
Style (16%)
Spelling and vocabulary is NOT tested

6. English continued Pace yourself Read the question carefully
Spend a minute or two skimming the passage
30 seconds to answer each question
Give yourself time to review
Read the question carefully
Be sure you understand what the question is asking. Some questions will ask for the response that is NOT or Least acceptable
Be aware of the questions with no underlined portions
Usually in a [ # ] box they ask about the whole passage or certain questions

7. English Continued Note the differences in the answers.
Some questions will ask about more than one aspect of writing. Some answers will answer one aspect correctly but not the other.
Determine best answer
Substitute each answer or
Rephrase the section yourself look for which best fit
Reread the sentence with your answer to make sure it is the best choice

8. Math 60 questions – 60 minutes Pre-algebra (23%)
Pre/elementary algebra – 24 questions
Pre-algebra (23%)
Elementary Algebra (17%)
Intermediate Algebra – Coordinate Geometry –18 questions
Intermediate Algebra (15%)
Coordinate Geometry (15%)
Plane Geometry/ Trigonometry – 18 questions
Plane Geometry (23%)
Trigonometry (7%)

9. Math Continued Pace yourself Answer easy ones first
Use your calculator wisely – all problems can be solved without a calculator
Glance over options before solving problem – but do not work backwards
Pay careful attention to what the question is asking
Some questions require several steps, make sure you go through them all.
Most questions are discrete – but some may (graphs/charts) may have several questions
Need to know basic formulas and be able to do basic computation;
Check your work
Answer every question
Some times they will give the wrong final answer but the correct answer at a given step

10. Reading 40 questions ---35 minutes Social studies (25%)
Natural Science (25%)
Literary Narrative (25%)
Humanities (25%)

11. Reading Continued Questions ask you to derive meaning from text
Referring to what is explicitly stated
Reasoning to determine implicit meaning
Either one long passage or two short passages
Only test what is in the passage. Does not test rote recall of facts
Look for:
Main idea
Locate and interpret significant details
Understand sequence of events
Make comparisons
Cause & effect
Determine meaning of context-dependent words or phrases
Draw generalizations & analyze author’s voice or method

12. Reading continued Pace yourself Answer easy ones first
2-3 minutes to read passage. 35 seconds for each question
Answer easy ones first
Answer all questions
Refer to the text
Review your answers

13. Science 40 questions – 35 minutes
Measures interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, & problem solving skills
Information is conveyed in 1 of 3 ways
Data representation (38%)– graphs and tables
Research summary (45%)– descriptions of several related experiments
Conflicting view points (17%)–hypothesis or views that are inconsistent with each other
Content covered:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth/space science

14. Science continued
Read passages carefully – read entire text and review graphs before answer questions
Make notes as you read
When passage describes experiments note:
Experiment’s design
Controls and variables
When passage describes different viewpoints:
Summarize each view point next to passage

15. Science Continued Pace yourself Answer easy questions first
Review answers
Answer every question

16. Writing test
30 minutes
Write a response to a prompt. Take a position and present your point of view on the issue.
You will be evaluated on:
How well you are able to express your judgment
Maintain focus throughout the essay
Use logical reasoning to support your position
Organize ideas in a logical way
Use language in a clear and effective way based on standard written English

17. Writing the essay Prewrite Write Carefully consider the prompt
Jot down your ideas and how you will explain your point in the test booklet
Consider what opposition might say
Think about how to organize your essay
Write
Do not write in margins
Make sure the reader sees you understand the issue
Explain your point of view in a clear & logical way
Discuss issue in broader context or evaluate the implications
Address what others might say who oppose your point of view
Use specific examples
Stay on topic and end with a strong conclusion

18. Writing continued
Review
Correct mistakes
Make sure words are legible

19. Test Day tips Get plenty of rest the night before test day.
Bring at least two # 2 pencils & a good eraser
Dress comfortably. Layers
Know time & location. Get there early.
Don’t forget your ticket & photo ID
Bring snacks or drinks
Breath
Some test centers are warmer or cooler on weekends than during the week. Consider dressing in layers, so you'll be comfortable no matter what the room conditions are

20. Online practice

21. Go home and relax it is over!
Finally
Go home and relax it is over!