MOTIVATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!

STRATEGIES FOR MASTERING THE ACADEMIC SKILLS

(AND TEST TAKING SKILLS) NEEDED FOR SUCCESS ON THE ACT!

Mission Six-Step Implementation Strategies Administration Technology

- Life-long Skills- Workplace Skills -Test scores that reflect true skill ability- Scholarships -College Success

MOTIVATION IS KEY!

GOALS!All students,

even those not attending college,

need the skills the ACT exam reinforces!

College Helps with Jobs & $.College Helps with Jobs & $.

EARN $1.5 - $3 MILLION MORE EARN $1.5 - $3 MILLION MORE WITH A COLLEGE WITH A COLLEGE

DEGREE! DEGREE! How to get to college?How to get to college?

G.P.A. = 45%G.P.A. = 45% ACT/SAT exam = 45%ACT/SAT exam = 45% Other = 10%Other = 10%

ACT 9957 C Scale ExcerptNote: The ACT scales 1 - 36

Standards for College Readiness:

What does it all mean?A PARADIGM SHIFT:

50% = 1860% = 2266% = 2471% = 2680% = 2991% = 33

One Little Point at a Time!

MOTIVATION!

EVERY STUDENT CAN PERFORM WELL ON THE ACT!

- The Score chart is a great tool to show the students that they don’t have to get every question right in order to get a good score on the ACT!  - Explain to them that although a 50% on an English Class test may be a failing grade, it is an 18 on the ACT, and many colleges will accept that score!!!

-A 60% on a History Class test may be a D-, but on the ACT it’s a 22! Now colleges aren’t only accepting you, but they’re giving you scholarships!

**Student GPA is also taken into consideration**

Mapping ACT English

Editing five short passages75 questions - 45 minutes – 9 minutes Per passage

Usage - Mechanics Skills40Q 53%

Rhetoric Skills35Q 47%

Punctuation10Q13%

Grammar and Use

12Q16%

SentenceStructure

18Q24%

Strategy12Q16%

Organization11Q15%

Style12Q16%

CommaSemicolonEnd-stopDashes

Hyphensquotes

TenseSubject-verb agreement

Pronoun useAdverb vs. adjective

Double negativeIdioms

Possessivescomparisons

Run-onComma splice

FragmentCoord conjunction

ParallelismMisplaced modifiers

ClausesSubordination

Split constructionUnintended meaning

Appropriate supportMain ideaAudienceEffective:

Opening sentenceConcluding sentence

Paragraph developmentSentence-level structureParagraph-level structure

ConcisenessAmbiguity

Low-level usageShifting point of view

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Mapping ACT Mathematics

60 questions - 60 minutes

Direct use of math facts or formulas

32Q 53%

Word Problems16Q 27%

Pre-Algebra14Q23%

Elementary Algebra

10Q17%

IntermediateAlgebra

9Q15%

Geometry14Q23%

CoordinateGeometry

9Q15%

Trigonometry4Q7%

Inference or decision making12Q 20%

®

Mapping ACT Reading4 Passages – 40 Questions – 35 Minutes

Read 750 wordsProse/Fiction

08:4510Q 25%

Read 750 wordsHumanities

08:4510Q 25%

SpecificDetail

SequenceCause/EffectComparison

Author’s VoiceMain Idea

GeneralizationConclusion

Words in Context

Read 750 wordsSocial Science

08:4510Q 25%

Read 750 wordsNatural Science

08:4510Q 25%

Explicit Questions14Q 35%

Implicit Questions26Q 65%

®

Understand7Q 17.5%

7 passages - 40 questions - 35minutes

3 passagesData Representation

15Q 37%

1 PassageConflicting Viewpoint

7Q 18%

3 passagesResearch Summary

18Q 45%

3 3 1

9 6 5

3 9 1

Identify data pointsIdentify units/labelsIdentify trendsIdentify variablesIdentify controls

ExtrapolateInterpolatePredictgeneralize

HypothesizeConcludeCompareevaluate

Mapping ACT Science Reasoning

Analyze20Q 50%

Generalize13Q 32.5%

Step 1:Step 1: Diagnostic Testing and Assessment Reports

Step 2:Step 2: “Basic” Skills Review

Step 3:Step 3: In-Class Problem-Solving, Concepts, and

Strategies

Step 4:Step 4: Practice Test Reinforcement

Step 5:Step 5: Final Exam and Assessment

Step 6:Step 6: Personal Study and Improvement Plan

The Six-Step Approach:The Six-Step Approach:

Mission Six-Step Implementation Strategies Administration Technology

English75 questions, 5 passages, 45 minutes

Punctuation

COMMAS are used on the ACT in 6 ways:

1. After Introductory Clauses followed by a complete sentence2. To Mark Interruptions 3. To Separate 2 sentences w/ a conjunction4. To mark Afterthoughts 5. To Separate Words in a series / list6. To Separate Adjectives

Hint: When in doubt, leave the comma out!

DASH1. Interruptions2. After-thoughts

SEMICOLON1. Separate 2 complete sentences

COLON1. Summary list. 2. After-thoughts3. Between 2 complete sentences

APOSTROPHES 1. One owner = ‘s 2. More than one owner = s’ 3. Plural words form the possessive by adding ‘s

GRAMMAR1. Verb tense and agreement2. Pronoun agreement3. Parallelism

Quiz!What are the 4 ways to separate two complete sentences? 1.2.3.4.

Other English HINTSShortest is Best!When in doubt, leave it out!Read on!Never pick “being”Pacing!!!! (9 minutes per passage. You must incorporate this into your curriculum quizzes and tests!)

MATH MATH 60 Questions, 60 Minutes!60 Questions, 60 Minutes!

Content Area Percent & Typical Number of ?s Pre-Algebra 23% - 14 questions Elementary Algebra 17% - 10 questions Intermediate Algebra 15% - 9 questions Coordinate Geometry 15% - 9 questions Plane Geometry 23% - 14 questions Trigonometry 7% - 4 questions Total 100% - 60 questions total

Math Questions on the ACT

Math Math 60 questions, 60 minutes60 questions, 60 minutes

1. The Math test covers basic arithmetic, pre-algebra, 1. The Math test covers basic arithmetic, pre-algebra, elementary algebra, advanced algebra, coordinate geometry, elementary algebra, advanced algebra, coordinate geometry,

plane geometry, & trigonometry.plane geometry, & trigonometry.

2. 60 questions2. 60 questions

3. Easiest to hardest 3. Easiest to hardest

4. The answer might be obvious without any work.4. The answer might be obvious without any work.

5. Plug & Chug and use Pick C whenever possible5. Plug & Chug and use Pick C whenever possible

6. Sometimes you may need to work backwards. 6. Sometimes you may need to work backwards.

7.7. It may help to look for wrong answers rather It may help to look for wrong answers rather than correct ones. (Process of elimination). than correct ones. (Process of elimination).

8.8. Do the easy questions first (the first 30)! Do the easy questions first (the first 30)!

9.9. Pacing!!!Pacing!!!

10. Calculators are allowed and encouraged!10. Calculators are allowed and encouraged!

Math Examples

1. The price of an item is first marked down 20% and then up 20%. Express as a percentage the overall change in the price of the item.

a. 0%b. +4%c. -4%d. +10%e. -10%

(This problem illustrates the strategy of avoiding the obvious choice, and makes you more aware of percent questions.) Choose an arbitrary value, $100.00, $100.00 – 20% = $80.00,

$80.00 + 20% = $96.00The answer is c; the overall change is a decrease of 4%.

2. If k is an integer, which of the following must be odd?I. k + 1 II. K x k + 1 III. 2k + 1

A) I. only B) II. only C) I. and II. D) I. and III. E) III. Only

(Try plugging in odd and even numbers for k, then analyze your results. The answer is E.)

3. Eva can complete a job in four hours. Jill takes ten hours, and Eric takes twenty hours. How long will it take them to do

the job working together?F) 2/5 hour

G) 2 ½ hoursH) 4 hours J) 11 1/3 hoursK) 34 hours

(This problem illustrates the use of common sense. Work problems often confuse students. Answers H, J, and K can be

eliminated since Eva can do the job by herself in four hours. By logically considering between F and G, 2 ½ hours seems much

more likely than 2/5 hour. The answer is G.)

READING4 passages, 10 questions each, 35 minutes total!

Always review the answer choices before looking back.

Be careful on questions with specific line references. If looking back, read a few lines before and after the given line reference.

Do not hesitate over answers. You must get to all 4 passages!

Be an active/demanding reader!Use CPR and/or TD!

Pacing!!! (8-9 minutes per passage)

No matter what, each student MUST have a reading strategy! For most students there is a definitive reading strategy that produces the highest possible ACT reading score. It is a two step process, and it is extremely simple.

Step 1: Read the entire passage quickly but actively, seeking out the most important information. You are allowed to annotate or underline, but only do this if it is already one of your reading strengths. When you finish reading the passage, you should be able to mentally review the main ideas and supporting details! If you cannot do this easily, you were not actively reading! (Reading the passage should take between 4 – 5 minutes.)

Step 2: Answer the questions. Be sure to read ALL FOUR answer choices, using process of elimination, BEFORE looking back to the passage. (Answering questions should take about 4 – 5 minutes.) No matter what, you must complete each passage in LESS THAN 9 MINUTES!

In order to reach your maximum reading score, it is imperative that you get to all four passages! Remember, it is possible to get some answers wrong on the ACT and still achieve an amazing score!

An alternative strategy that works for some students is to actively read only the first and last paragraphs while skimming the body of the passage and then answering the questions as described above. This strategy should only be used if you are so instructed by your ACT teacher. (This often works for students whose maximum ACT reading score typically falls below an 18, which in most cases still meets state standards.)

No matter what, DO NOT waste precious time by reading the questions first! This strategy is a virtual guarantee of a low reading score. Again, DO NOT read the questions first unless specifically instructed to do so by your ACT teacher.

Science StrategiesScience StrategiesSeven passages, 5, 6, or 7 questions each, 35 minutes total!Seven passages, 5, 6, or 7 questions each, 35 minutes total!

1. There are seven passages, based on all areas of science. All info is provided, usually more than needed.

2. It is NOT a reading test.

3. Analyze the graphs, table, & charts, then answer ?’s.

4. Work from the questions back to the data.

5. Underline the clues in the questions!

6. Let the answers tell you where to look.

7. Use P.O.E.; treat it like a T/F test.

8. Look for patterns.

9. Fighting Scientists is the ONLY reading section.

10. Pacing (3 – 5 minutes per passage)

With all of the information put in front of you and only 35 minutes to answer all of the questions, the science section can seem overwhelming. The most important thing you can do to conserve time is orient yourself. Think of it like shopping at a grocery store…

Let’s say you are going to the supermarket and all you need to buy is milk and bread. The supermarket carries tens of thousands of items – will you need to go through each item on each aisle in order to find the two that you are looking for? Of course not! You would use the aisle signs to figure out exactly where to go, then scan the appropriate aisle until you find what you are looking for. The whole process would take you a few seconds. The science section is no different. Sure, there is a considerable amount of information provided with each passage, but don’t let it slow you down. Orient yourself using the headings on charts and graphs the same way you would at the grocery store, and the ACT science reasoning can be as straightforward as buying a loaf of bread.

Writing StrategiesWriting Strategies

B.O.W.B.O.W.Brainstorm, Outline, Write!Brainstorm, Outline, Write!

IntroIntro3 body paragraphs3 body paragraphs

ConclusionConclusion

Counter-Arguments?Counter-Arguments?

ON TEST DAY

1. Bring lots of sharp #2 pencils and a calculator.2. Treat the night before like a school night.

3. Eat a balanced breakfast.4. Wear comfortable clothes.

5. Arrive early.6. Bring a snack.

7. Maintain your concentration. 8. The real ACT will seem more difficult than any of your practice ACTs. Why? Well, it’s not any harder; it’s just that you are a little

nervous because this one counts. Being nervous is OK; it means that you care what happens.

9. Think positively.