Introduction to the ACT(college entrance exam)

Sources: Cracking the ACT by The Princeton Review and

“Zapping the ACT” by the ZAPS Learning Company

Mrs. Shelby Schmidt and

Mrs. Sharon JaeschkeSoutheast Valley

Purpose of the ACT:Measure past academic achievementIn other words: Can you prove you learned

something in your high school courses?Gives colleges one more factor to consider

when deciding who to admit (but grades, activities, recommendations, essays, are just as important, if not more important.)

Good Things about the ACT:It is a predictable test

Always has English, math, reading, science tests Always multiple choice Always has the same concepts within each subject

area: 10 punctuation questions, 14 geometry questions, etc.

If you take the writing test, it always has one question requiring an essay

• You can study for the ACT and retake it – it is under your control to achieve a high score

The Tests on the ACT: English

English Test 45 minutes – 75 questions5 essays or passages with questions beside them

Questions in involve grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills (also called usage)

Sample: http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/english/eng_01.html

The Tests on the ACT: MathMath Test 60 minutes – 60 questionsMixture of easy, medium, difficult throughout the test,

although usually starts with easierTypes of questions:

33 algebra (14 pre-algebra and arithmetic, 10 algebra I, 9 algebra II)

23 geometry (14 plane geometry, 9 coordinate geom.)4 trigonometry questions (sine, cosine, etc.)Sample:

http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/math/math_01.html If you have completed Algebra II, there shouldn’t be more

than 3-4 problems that seem completely over your head.

The Tests on the ACT: ReadingReading Test 35 minutes – 40 questions

4 reading passages with about 750 words each in this order:

Prose fiction Social science Humanities Natural Science10 questions after each passage: identify supporting

details, draw conclusions, make comparisons, make generalizations

Sample: http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/reading/read_01.html

The Tests on the ACT: ScienceScience Reasoning Test 35 minutes – 40 questions

6 sets of scientific information presented in graphs charts, tables

A research summary in which you have to make sense of a disagreement between scientists

Focused on reading comprehension and reading graphs more than higher scientific knowledge.

Sample: http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/science/sci_01.html

The Tests on the ACT: WritingOptional Writing Test (30 minutes)

Essay with a topic relevant to high school studentsYou write your opinion in regard to the topicrequired by some schools, but not ISU, Iowa or UNIIf you go to a school that needs it and you didn’t

take it, you need to repeat the entire ACT testScored by two readers on a scale of 1 to 6, added

together, so possible scores are 2 to 12.Sample:

http://www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/index.html

Scoring of the Multiple Choice Tests of the ACTScores on each of the four tests range from 1

to 36, based on correct answersQuestions left blank are considered wrong

(so you should fill in every dot)Overall score is an average of the four scoresPercentile also givenSubcategory scores help you spot

weaknesses if you retake the testHandout showing how raw scores are

converted to a scaled score from 1 to 36

When is the Test Given?Six times a year: June, September, October,

December, February, and AprilSaturday mornings starting at 8:00 AMInformation about the ACT test is online at

http://www.actstudent.org Need to register 3 weeks ahead or pay a late feeYou can take as often as you want, but colleges

want you to report a score (you decide which one…) when you apply for admission and some scholarships may request it.

June test will be given at PVHS

Who Sees the ResultsFor the June test, scores mailed to you High school guidance counselors.Colleges if you fill out the four free college

report forms on the ACT – may not want to if you are worried about low scores – but colleges do use the highest composite score

ACT vs. SATACT measures “achievement”

what you have learned in high schoolSAT measures “ability”

which is not easily measured so questions may seem tricky

SAT requires the writing test, ACT doesn’t SAT puts more emphasis on vocabulary in the

verbal tests, doesn’t include trigonometry Most college accept scores from either the ACT

or the SAT for admittance, some don’t require either

CalculatorsPermitted Calculators

You may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, unless it has features described in the Prohibited Calculators list. For models on the Calculators Permitted with Modification list, you will be required to modify some of the calculator's features.

It is recommended that you bring a calculator to the test and prepare for the test with the same calculator.

Prohibited Calculators The following types of calculators are prohibited: Calculators with built-in computer algebra systems

Prohibited calculators in this category include: Texas Instruments:

All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92 TI-Nspire CAS—Note: The TI-Nspire (non-CAS) is permitted.

Hewlett-Packard: HP Prime HP 48GII All model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G, or HP 50G

Casio: fx-CP400 (ClassPad 400) ClassPad 300  ClassPad 330 Algebra fx 2.0 All model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G

Handheld, tablet, or laptop computers, including PDAs.

Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices—Note: The Sharp EL 9600 is permitted.

Calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices. Calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format)—Note:

Letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted.

Calculators Permitted with ModificationThese types of calculators are permitted, but only

after they are modified as noted:Calculators with paper tape—Remove the tape.Calculators that make noise—Turn off the sound.Calculators with an infrared data port—Completely

cover the infrared data port with heavy opaque material such as duct tape or electrician's tape (includes Hewlett-Packard HP 38G series, HP 39G series, and HP 48G).

Calculators that have power cords—Remove all power/electrical cords.

What Are You Waiting For???Website to register: http://

www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html

If you have registered and want to change your test date or location: you can make the change by calling: 319-337-1270

If you change date, you will need to pay $21 for the change. (besides the test fee)