Preparing for The

ACT

Ginger Green ACT Southeast

Region

ACT Review• Curriculum-based test • Measures academic achievement

• English• Math• Reading• Science• Writing (optional)

How is the ACT used?• College Admissions• Talent Identification• Academic Advising• Freshman Course Placement• Awarding Course Credit• Scholarships

Benefits for Students• Accepted by all 4-year colleges in

the U.S.• Based on information learned in high

school• More than a college admission exam

– helps plan for life after high school• Rewards you for what you know• Choose the scores you send to

colleges• Writing Test is optional• Many ways to prepare

Scores Reported

The ACT English (1-36) Mathematics (1-36) Reading (1-36) Science (1-36) Composite (1-36) An average

The ACT Plus Writing Combined English and Writing Score (1-

36)* Writing Test Subscore (2-12) * Narrative Interpretation of Writing test

Subscore

* Composite not affected

Non-cognitive Components• Student Profile Section:

• High school course/grade information• Education plans, interests, needs• College extracurricular plans• Out of class accomplishments• EOS

• Education and Career Planning• ACT Interest Inventory• World-of-Work Map• College majors and programs

English Test• 75 questions, 45 minutes• 5 essays or passages, each with a

set of multiple-choice questions• Two subscores and a total test

score• Usage/Mechanics 40 questions

• Punctuation 10• Grammar and Usage 12• Sentence Structure 18

• Rhetorical Skills 35 questions• Strategy 12• Organization 11• Style 12

Mathematics Test

• 60 questions, 60 minutes• Multiple-choice questions that

require the use of reasoning skills to solve practical problems

• Three subscores and a total test score

• Pre-Algebra 14 questions• Elementary Algebra 10• Intermediate Algebra 9• Coordinate Geometry 9• Plane Geometry 14• Trigonometry 4

You may use a permitted calculator.

Reading Test• 40 questions, 35 minutes• 4 passages, each with a set of

multiple-choice questions• Two subscores and a total test

score• Social Studies/Sciences 20 questions

• Social Studies 10• Natural Sciences 10

• Arts/Literature 20 questions• Prose Fiction 10• Humanities 10

Science Test

• 40 questions, 35 minutes• 7 sets of scientific information –

measure student’s interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving skills

• One score - Biology, Earth/Space Sciences, Chemistry, Physics• Data Representation 15 questions• Research Summaries 18• Conflicting Viewpoints 7

You are not permitted to use a calculator.

Writing Test (optional)

• 1 writing prompt, 30 minutes• Essay test that measures writing

skills emphasized in high school English classes and entry-level college composition courses• Make and articulate judgments• Develop a position• Sustain focus• Organize and present ideas

logically• Communicate clearly in writing

Must be completed in English.

Additional Information• No penalty for guessing• Student decides what scores are

sent to colleges• Length of test: 3 hours 25 min

(including the optional 30 min Writing Test)

Scoring Timeline• Receiving scores

• Online: ACT 3-4 weeks• ACT Plus Writing 5-8 weeks

• Mailed: ACT 3-8 weeks• ACT Plus Writing 5-8 weeks

• Sending scores• 4 total with registration (free)• Can send additional score reports for

fee

How to Register• Create a student web account and

register online: www.actstudent.org• Register for the ACT 24/7• View your scores 3-4 weeks after testing

for FREE• Real-time seat assignment• Print your admissions ticket• Receive email reminders• Decide where to send your scores• Update your student profile• FREE sample test questions

Test Security Enhancements

Students will be required to: Provide their gender and upload a photo of themselves Provide their high school code

Score reports will be sent automatically to students’ high

schools All acceptable IDs require a

photo No stand-by walk-ins on day of

test

www.act.org/idenhancements

Three Choices for Testing with

Accommodations

ACT Center Testing #1 • standard time

ACT Center Testing #2 • 50% extended time

ACT Special Testing • at school • > 50% extended time• alternate formats

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ACT Center Testing #1

Standard time with accommodations

Regular- or large-type test booklet Examples:

• Wheelchair access• Sign-language interpreter to

sign spoken instruction• Diabetics allowed to eat snacks

during testing

Requesting ACT Center Testing #1

May register on-line or with paper registration folder:

Student name, address, phone Explain disability and describe accommodations Written documentation of accommodations in

school Name and phone number of school official to

contact if ACT has questions

ACT Center Testing #2 Available all test dates

Small group assigned to separate room

Up to 50% extended time

Self-paced

Regular (10 pt) or large-type

(18 pt)

5 hours for ACT

(no writing)

5 hours 45 mins.

if ACT Plus Writing

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ACT Special Testing at School More than 50% extended time and/or testing

over multiple days Alternate formats such as:

• Braille, audiocassette, audio DVD, reader• Computer or scribe for essay

6 discrete testing windows: (One in September, October, December, February, April, and June) All Special Testing must take place during a 3-week window that begins on each National test day.

Double or

triple time

Which Form to Submit?

Application for ACT Extended Time National Testing

Request for ACT Special Testing

(Both may be downloaded from www.actstudent.org. Select “Students with Disabilities.”

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Eligibility Requirements Professionally-diagnosed

disability that precludes testing with standard time or requires multiple days

Current confirmation ofdiagnosis

Current school accommodations

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Required Documentation Copy of test

accommodations page from current IEP, or copy of current 504 or Accommodations Plan

Showing student name, effective dates of the plan, and accommodations provided at school

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Recent Diagnosisor Recent Plan?

Within last 3 years: • Submit full written diagnostic

documentation

No IEP, 504,or Accommodations Plan?

Exceptions Process: Submit school letter

detailing current test accommodations and frequency of use

If no accommodations at school, detailed explanation required

Full written diagnostic documentation required

Common Reasons for Denial

Incomplete applicationMissing signatures, no copy of IEP or 504, no history of accommodations

Diagnosis or plan within last 3 yearsMust include written diagnostic documentation, including full report including all scores and subscores from diagnostic tests

No description of substantial impairment to learning caused by the condition

Effects on learning and academic achievement

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If a student is denied…

Request reconsideration Provide missing

information Contact ACT Dialog with ACT

Recent Volumes

• Over 123,000 requests for extended time or alternate formats annually

• ACT typically approves approximately 90% of all requests

• Testing with accommodations has remained constant at about 3-4% of total tests administered annually

Easy Steps for Repeat Testing

Extended Time National Testing — Re-Registration

• No need to resubmit documentation

• By phone: specify request for SAME accommodations previously approved

• By folder: complete only side 1 of new Extended Time Application

• Registering on the web: student will be reminded that she had accommodations for a previous National test date. Must indicate if she wants the same accommodations.

Easy Steps for Repeat Testing

Special Testing — Retest Requests• No documentation needed for

SAME accommodations

• Complete side 1 of new Special Testing Request Form

• Enclose copy of ACT accommodations letter student received for prior testing

Prepare for the Test• Preparing for the ACT (free)• The Real ACT Prep Guide• ACT Online Prep• www.actstudent.org/testprep

(free)

Preparing for the ACT(free booklet)

Full-Length Practice Test, including a Writing Test

Information about the Optional Writing Test

Strategies to Prepare for the Tests What to Expect on Test Day

The Real ACT Prep Guide(with or without CD)

5 practice tests each with an optional writing test

Explanations for all right and wrong answers

Test-taking strategies for all 4 subject Test-taking strategies for all 4 subject areasareas

ACT Online Prep

Familiarizing students with how the test works

Diagnostic Test and 2 practice tests Custom Study Path Take the Tour: go to www.act.org, select

The Test, select ACT Online Prep

www.actstudent.org

Student Resourceswww.actstudent.org• Testing Tips• Sample Questions with Explanatory

Answers• ACT Question of the Day• Map of College Majors• Interactive World-of-Work Map• Financial Aid and Scholarship

Information

Sample Test Questions

Parent Resourceswww.act.org/path/parent/• Test FAQ• College planning checklists• Newsletters• Tools and resources

• Financial Aid Need Estimator• Interactive Map of College Majors• Interactive Work-of-Work Map

Free Publications for Families• Why Take the ACT?• Preparing for the ACT (English and

Spanish)• Get Set for College• Using Your ACT Results (English and

Spanish)• Family Firsts: Guide for Parents of First-

Generation College Students (English and Spanish)

• Family Firsts: Guide for First-Generation College Students

Good Luck!!

Prepare early to be successful!!!!