ACT TEST PREP FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL

ACT TEST PREP FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL

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. On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can to make an educated guess Be careful to mark only one answer choice per question. Mark your answer neatly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging. Use a soft lead No. 2 pencil with a good eraser; do not use a mechanical pencil even if it is No. 2 lead 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. Review your work. If you finish a test before time is called, go back and check your work English Section Tips 75 questions 45 minutes Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills. Usage/Mechanics *punctuation *grammar and usage *sentence structure Rhetorical Skills *strategy *organization *style Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of rules of grammar aren't tested. The test consists of five prose passages, each one followed by multiple-choice test questions. Different passage types are included to provide variety. Some questions refer to underlined portions of the passage and offer several alternatives to the portion underlined. You must decide which choice is most appropriate in the context of the passage. Some questions ask about an underlined portion, a section of the passage, or the passage as a whole. You must decide which choice best answers the question posed. Many questions include "NO CHANGE" to the passage as one of the choices. The questions are numbered consecutively. Each question number corresponds to an underlined portion in the passage or to a box located in the passage

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 40 questions 35 minutes Measures reading comprehension You're asked to read four passages and answer questions that show your understanding of: *what is directly stated *statements with implied meanings Specifically, questions will ask you to use referring and reasoning skills to: *determine main ideas *locate and interpret significant details *understand sequences of events*make comparisons *comprehend cause-effect relationships *determine the meaning of context-dependent words, phrases, and statements *draw generalizations *analyze the author's or narrator's voice and method The test comprises four prose passages that are representative of the level and kinds of reading required in firstyear college courses; passages on topics in social studies, natural sciences, fiction, and the humanities are included. Each passage is accompanied by a set of multiple-choice test questions. These questions do not test the rote recall of facts from outside the passage, isolated vocabulary items, or rules of formal logic. Instead, the test focuses on the complementary and supportive skills that readers must use in studying written materials across a range of subject areas. 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 60 questions 60 minutes Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12. The test presents multiple-choice questions that require you to use reasoning skills to solve practical problems in mathematics. You need knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills to answer the problems, but you aren't required to know complex formulas and perform extensive computation. You may use a calculator on the Mathematics Test. See ACT's calculator policy for details about permitted and prohibited calculators. If you use a prohibited calculator, you will be dismissed and your answer document will not be scored. You are not required to use a calculator. All of the problems can be solved without a calculator.

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 The Science Test is a 40- question - 35-minute test that measures the skills required in the natural sciences: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving. Calculators may not be used on the Science Test. The test assumes that students are in the process of taking the core science course of study (three years or more) that will prepare them for college-level work and have completed a course in Earth science and/or physical science and a course in biology. The test presents seven sets of scientific information, each followed by a number of multiple-choice test questions. The scientific information is presented in one of three different formats: *data representation (graphs, tables, and other schematic forms) *research summaries (descriptions of one or more related experiments) *conflicting viewpoints (expressions of several related hypotheses or views that are inconsistent with one another) The questions require you to: *recognize and understand the basic features of, and concepts related to, the provided information *examine critically the relationship between the information provided and the conclusions drawn or hypotheses developed *generalize from given information and draw conclusions, gain new information, or make predictions 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 The Writing Test is a 30-minute essay test that measures your writing skills specifically those writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses. The test consists of one writing prompt that will define an issue and describe two points of view on that issue. You are asked to respond to a question about your position on the issue described in the writing prompt. In doing so, you may adopt one or the other of the perspectives described in the prompt, or you may present a different point of view on the issue. Your score will not be affected by the point of view you take on the issue. *Carefully consider the prompt and make sure you understand it reread it if you aren't sure. *Decide how you want to answer the question in the prompt. *Then jot down your ideas on the topic: this might simply be a list of ideas, reasons, and examples that you will use to explain your point of view on the issue. *Write down what you think others might say in opposition to your point of view and think about how you would refute their arguments. *Think of how best to organize the ideas in your essay. *At the beginning of your essay, make sure readers will see that you understand the issue. *Explain your point of view in a clear and logical way. *If possible, discuss the issue in a broader context or evaluate the implications or complications of the issue. *Address what others might say to refute your point of view and present a counterargument. *Use specific examples. *Vary the structure of your sentences, and use varied and precise word choices. *Make logical relationships clear by using transitional words and phrases. *Do not wander off the topic. *End with a strong conclusion that summarizes or reinforces your position. *If there is time, do a final check of the essay when it is finished. *Correct any mistakes in grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling. *If you find any words that are hard to read, recopy them so your readers can read them easily. *Make any corrections and revisions neatly, between the lines (but not in the margins). 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. What colleges have decided about the Writing Test Some colleges require the Writing Test; others do not. Most colleges will accept scores from the Writing Test even if they do not require it. You should decide whether to take the Writing Test based on the requirements of the institutions to which you are applying. Check directly with the institutions you are considering to find out their requirements, or ask your high school counselor which test option you should take.