1. THE ACT “READING” TEST
HOW TO CRACK THE SYSTEM

2. Reading Strategies for ACT
“Read” quickly
“Read” for main idea and tone/attitude; ignore details
“Read” entire passage
Be prepared for boring and difficult passages
Mark the text

3. Marking the Text Underline main ideas, descriptions, points of view
Circle examples and “shifters” (AKA transitions) however, although, despite, even though, nonetheless, but
Mark (+) or (-) to indicate positive or negative tone, attitudes, and examples
Sum up what you just read in a few words somewhere next to the passage

4. ORDERING THE PASSAGES PROSE FICTION SOCIAL STUDIES HUMANITIES
NATURAL SCIENCE

5. CAMOUFLAGE
The answers are not going to be word-for-word what the passage says. If you find an answer that is word-for-word be leery.

6. DISTRACTERS DISTRACTERS ARE WRONG ANSWERS
THEY ARE DESIGNED TO BREAK YOUR CONCENTRATION
LEARN TO QUICKLY ELIMINATE THEM
THERE ARE FOUR KINDS OF DISTRACTERS

7. DISTRACTERS
DISTORTIONS
SWITCH
EXTREMES
“NICE”

8. SPECIAL QUESTION TYPES
FACT VS. OPINION (FACT IS “EITHER TRUE OR IT ISN’T”; OPINION IS “PEOPLE MAY DISAGREE”
WORLD WAR II PROCEEDED FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENT ITS TROOPS TO ENGAGE IN COMBAT
THE UNITED STATES WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ADVISED TO ENTER WORLD WAR II IN 1939

9. SPECIAL QUESTION TYPES
STATE OF MIND
“AUTHOR’S ATTITUDE” OR CHARACTER QUESTIONS IN LITERATURE SELECTIONS
THINK ABOUT THE PERSON AND THE SITUATION ABOUT WHICH YOU’RE BEING ASKED
TURN THE ITEM INTO FOUR TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS BY SAYING: THE GUY WAS ___

10. IT’S ALL UP TO YOU Determine your strengths Determine your strategies
Practice