Prepare for the ACT Test

11th Grade: Postsecondary Participation

Pre-Test

1. Why is it good to develop strategies to improve your ACT score?

2. The ACT is _________ so there are few surprises.

3. What are the 5 different ACT sections?

Objectives

Take ACT Prep Tests• To learn areas of strengths and weaknesses

• To become more familiar with the test ACT Prep Key Themes• Sections (subjects)• Time Management

ACT Prep Resources that • Cost money• Are free

ACT Prep Key Themes

• Preparing for the ACT can help you get a higher score– Which will increase your chances of getting accepted to your

colleges of interest– It may also help you obtain more scholarships

• Become familiar with the test – Know the basic structure of the test

• Set aside a few hours a week to prepare for the test– When you practice, there will be few surprises because the ACT is

so predictable

Watch Video

• Watch the Getting to Know the ACT Exam video– This is a video from the Kaplan company– We are not trying to promote Kaplan materials

• Although the company has very good resources• The video is intended to help you learn more about ACT preparation

– Pay special attention to the five different ACT sections• English, Math, Reading, Science, (Writing is optional but recommended)

ACT Test Overview• Getting admitted to a college: Significant factors– ACT Test Score– High School Academic Performance (GPA and Advanced Classes)– Extracurricular activities

• Most ACT Prep programs guarantee improved ACT scores– The StudyPoint program guarantees a 3 point increase

• 3 point increase is significant: More scholarships & colleges that accept you

• ACT Prep programs for cost are helpful– There are also many free ACT Prep programs online

Objectives

ACT Test Overview

• Preparing for the ACT is highly recommended– Whether it is a paid or free program

• There are many good paid programs besides the ACT Prep – Kaplan, Princeton Review, & StudyPoint are a few of the programs– Some community education programs provide a prep class

• ACT website with free and paid test prep resources – http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/ – Can reach all the following ACT Prep slides from this home page

• The next slides outline some ACT Prep resources – That can be purchased

ACT Test Prep Home Page

ACT Online Prep: Paid Resource

Real ACT Prep Guide: Paid Resource

ACT Prep Benefits

• Time Management– The practice test will help you better manage your time during

different sections of the test– You will know what sections you can take your time and what

sections to work at a pace to answer all the questions

• It will help you relax during the test – Because you will be more prepared

• You will learn more about test taking strategies – Example: What to do when you are running out of time

ACT Prep: Free Resources• The free resources on the following slides are very helpful

as you prepare for the ACT • It is important to learn more about certain details– Test Subjects: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing– Topics within each subject: Example – Math: Geometry– Test structure– Your score on the sample tests

• To help you identify areas of strengths and weaknesses

Preparing for the ACT: PDF File

PDF File: Sample English Test

ACT Practice Online Questions: Home Page

ACT Practice Online: Math Questions

ACT Content Percentages: Ex: Math

Group Activity• Discuss the following questions in groups– Which subjects are your strongest and weakest?• English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing

– What ACT Prep resources do you plan to use? Why?• Paid Programs: ex: Kaplan, Princeton Review, & StudyPoint • ACT Free Programs: PDF Practice Test, Online Practice Questions• ACT Paid Programs: ACT Online Prep, Real ACT Prep Guide• Community Education Programs: ACT Prep

When do you plan to take the ACT?

• April, June, or September are recommended dates• Talk to your school counselor or a teacher to help

you sign up for the test

Update Postsecondary Plan

Update Your Postsecondary Plan

• Update the Interest section– With at least two ways to prepare for the ACT that

interests you

Post-Test

1. Why is it good to develop strategies to improve your ACT score?

2. The ACT is _________ so there are few surprises.

3. What are the 5 different ACT sections?

Review

1. It good to develop strategies to improve your ACT score because– Increase your chances of getting accepted to your

colleges of interest– Obtain more scholarships

2. The ACT is _________ so there are few surprises– Predictable

3. 5 different ACT sections– English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing