Act Test Taking Strategies

Act Test Taking strategies

The ACT test consists of four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. Besides the four main sections there is a Writing test which students need to clear too.

Science Reasoning

The Science Reasoning looks at Scientific ability and temperament in a student. It usually includes three Data Representation passages with 5 questions following each passage, 3 Research Summary passage with six questions each, and one Conflicting Viewpoints passage with 7 questions.

ACT Science

The ACT Science test was a mix of quick, easy passages and more difficult, time-consuming ones. Looking up answers in the various charts and graphs was the basis for most of the questions, but some of those charts and graphs were very difficult to interpret. Many students shooting for top scores reported having difficulty finishing the entire ACT Science test in the allotted time.

ACT Test Taking Tips

The ACT is a widely used college admission standardized test. It has four mandatory subject tests: English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. There is also an optional Writing test which some colleges require.

General Tips

· Answer the questions you find easiest first. Come back to the others later.

· Don't spend more than a minute or two on any question.

· As you work on a section, keep track of how much time remains. (It's a good idea to bring a reliable watch.)

· Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing.

· Be careful to mark only one answer choice per question.

· Write in the test book in any way that will help you.

· Consider all answer choices before you choose one. Use the process of elimination to narrow your choices.

English Section Tips

· Consider the writing style used for each section. The correct answer choice will be the one that works best with the writing style used.

· When asked a question about something that is underlined, consider how the underlined portion fits with the rest of the section.

· Examine each answer choice to see how it differs from the others.

· For items that include "No Change" as an answer choice, choose this as your answer only if you are sure none of the other answer choices are correct.

· Reread the underlined portion with your answer choice to be sure it is correct.

Reading Section Tips

· Read the passage carefully before you read the questions.

· Focus on the main ideas in the passage. Underline these. Don't get lost in the details.

· Try to identify how ideas in the passage are connected.

· Refer back to the passage as you answer each question.

Mathematics Section Tips

· Work out the problem before looking at the answer choices. When done, choose the answer choice that matches your answer. If none match, redo the problem.

· Don't overly rely on your calculator. Some problems are best worked out manually. Some don't even require calculation.

· The questions focus much more on reasoning than on calculation. If you find yourself doing complicated calculations, you're probably on the wrong track.

· Make sure your answer choice makes sense. A calculation error can lead you to a wrong answer choice.

· Check your work.

Science Section Tips

· Given the complexity of the passages, it may help to make some simple notes as you read them.

· Cross out irrelevant information.

· Don't be overly concerned with any technical terminology. Technical terms usually have little to do with the correct answer choice.

· Be watchful for conflicting viewpoints in some of the passages.

Writing Section Tips

· Organization of your response is very important. Use a five-paragraph essay that includes an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.

· Plan your response before you begin to write it.

· Stay with the topic throughout your response.

· Vary your sentence structure and word choices.

· Use specific examples wherever possible.

· Write legibly.

· If you have time, check your grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling.

ACT Tutoring Tips

By Linda Hinkle, eHow Contributor

The ACT is a widely used college entrance examination. With students facing strong competition for admission to top schools, many hire a tutor to help get top scores on the exam. Tutoring for the ACT is an excellent way to make extra money while providing a much-needed service.

Preparation

1. If you're considering tutoring for the ACT, you're probably already familiar with the test format. If not, take time to learn about it so that you can advise your students accordingly. Knowing what to expect on test day plays a significant role in how well a student performs. For example, if you're tutoring for the math section, you need to know that the test always has 60 questions and the time allotted for that section is 60 minutes. Helping your students develop test-taking strategies is an important part of ACT tutoring. Detailed information about all aspects of the test is available at ACT.org, the website of the organization that governs the ACT.

Assess Your Student's Needs

2. Before teaching concepts and refining skills, you need to know your student's strengths and weaknesses. You don't want to waste time on material a student already knows and you don't want to omit concepts a student needs to learn. Some students know what they need to learn, but others aren't so sure. A good way to assess the level of your students is to administer a practice test to identify strengths and weaknesses. You can print a free practice test from the ACT.org website.

Teach and Review

3. How you spend your time during a tutoring session depends on the level of your students and their goals. For example, a student who has already taken the ACT and scored a 29 or 30 may be using a tutor to try to get a higher score. This type of student is already very knowledgeable and probably doesn't need you to teach concepts. Instead, you'll want to work on refining skills and strategies. On the other hand, a student preparing to take the ACT for the first time will likely need to learn concepts and have you demonstrate techniques.

Materials

4. You'll need good practice materials to use during your tutoring sessions. There are several good online resources for free materials, including ACTstudent.org, ACTexampracticetests.com and 4tests.com. Links to these sites are in the Resources section of this article.

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References

· StudyPoint.com

· Tutor Strategies That Work

· ACT Practice Questions

Resources

· ACT.org Homepage

· ACT Exam Practice Tests

· 4tests.com

How many times can I take the ACT®?

Many students and parents are under the impression that repeating the ACT is not a good idea. They often feel that multiple scores will "look bad" or that good scores will merely be averaged with weaker scores. Both points are incorrect. First of all, you have the ability to submit your highest scores. If you have taken the ACT multiple times, ACT will only send colleges the score from the date you specify.
In addition, virtually all colleges use students' highest scores in evaluating their applications. They choose the highest scores in one of two ways. Some schools combine the highest English, Math, Reading or Science scores from one test date with the highest English, Math, Reading or Science scores from another test date. If that's the case, then you can send multiple test results (if you have taken the ACT multiple times) to that school. Other schools take the highest composite score from a single test date. Ask your college counselor or call a college directly to find out the school's policy. In no case, however, is repeating the test detrimental. Most students now take the ACT two or three times, which is adequate for a well-prepared test-taker.

What's On The ACT

The ACT has 4 tests: English, Reading, Math and Science, as well as, an optional 30 minute essay. Some schools may require the essay, so be sure to ask before you take the test.More about what's on the ACT.

The weight placed on ACT scores varies from school to school. Other important factors that schools consider in their admissions decisions are your high school GPA, academic transcript, letters of recommendation, interviews, and personal essays.

For more specific information on the importance of ACT scores at the schools to which you are applying, contact the admissions offices at those schools.

When to Take The ACT

The ACT test is offered nationally every year in October, December, February, April, and June. It is also given in September in select cities.More about ACT test dates.

Students have traditionally taken the ACT in the spring of their junior year and, if necessary, again in the fall of their senior year. However, more and more students are choosing to take their first ACT earlier, such as during the fall of their junior year. This gives them more flexibility to retake the ACT test one or more times, or to take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests.

Composite ACT Score

You'll earn one ACT score (1 to 36) on each test (English, Math, Reading, and Science), and a composite ACT score, which is an average of these 4 tests. Usually, when people ask about your score, they're referring to your composite ACT score. The composite score falls between 1 and 36. The national average is about 21.

ACT Test FAQs

Can I Cancel My Scores?

No. However, you may retake the ACT test as many times as you wish, and your scores from each test date are reported separately. Therefore, when you have your ACT scores sent to colleges, you can elect to send only the scores from your most successful test date(s).

How is the ACT Scored?

A composite score between 1-36 is given based on the average of 4 ACT Tests.

How Long Does the ACT Test Last?

Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes; but with the optional 30-minute Writing Test, total testing time is 3 hours, 30 minutes.

How Important Are ACT Scores?

For more specific information on the importance of ACT scores at the schools to which you are applying, contact the admissions offices at those schools.

ACT Prep- Teacher

1 - Set the class up from day one as a test prep class. Your ONLY objective is a test score. This isn't a class that preps for the next level and has an end of course. The test is the ONLY thing. Get that mindset out quickly.
2 - Get your students focused on going for points. They have to get it drilled into their heads to go for points and to not get bogged down on a problem or to get sloppy for speed. This is a timed test and that requires a different mindset than an untimed test.
3 - Spend the first few days running a timed ACT practice test as a pre-assessment. The ACT is a 4 hour test so it's going to take a few periods to establish where everyone stands. Share that data with your students
4 - Do another at mid-term to re-evaluate and to show the kids how they have progressed. Share that Data with your students.
5 - Do you have a clicker system in your room? If not, can you get one?????
Clickers are a MUST. Run 15 to 20 minutes of clickers at the end of each class on a daily basis. Find the high frequency problems that always show up and drill to kill.
Emphasize with the students that these questions WILL be on the test. If you get good on these and get fast with these, it's easy points with no lost time.
Drill the living crap out of them with it.
6 - Post the clicker scores weekly and make a big deal out of it. Let them know how they are doing on these high frequency problems. Get serious about "you CAN'T miss these points".
7 - Make them memorize basic math formulas and trig stuff like SOHCAHTOA. Drill this hard as they don't get a formula sheet on the ACT.
8 - MOST importantly...... Teach them speed reading techniques and drill them into the ground on speed reading. There is so much of the ACT that requires you to read 3 paragraphs about how Jack n Jill walked up the hill to answer a question about how many men walked up the hill or what was the acceleration of gravity when Jack broke his crown. Speed readers smoke the ACT.
9 - Don't trust the ACT study guides. They keep upping the difficulty of the test and the study guides typically underestimate the number of higher level questions on the test.
10 - Teach them calculator tricks, but look for the ACT to try to counter them. They say you can do the Math part of the ACT without a calculator, but the truth is that you can't in the time given. They need to be good with a graphing calculator, but they also need to be smart because the ACT sets em up for calculator mistakes.