ACT TEST PREP

Did You Know?

The ACT test assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. ACT scores are one of the most important factors in the college admission decision, second only to grades in college prep courses.

This is a high stakes test. How will you prepare for this important test?

The ACT has 4 components: English Language, Mathematics, Critical Reading and Science. The SAT exam has 3 components: Math, Critical Reading and Writing. the ACT tests grammar, punctuation and syntax versus the SAT is focused on vocabulary . The Writing Test, an optional component, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.The SAT does not test you on science and trigonometry. The ACT lasts 2 hours, 55 minutes with 30 minutes for the optional writing.

So which test do you want to take? By taking a predictive test PSAT and PLAN in your sophomore year you can somewhat predict your scores for either the ACT or the SAT.

We can work with your son or daughter, one-on-one, with commitment to their success.

From your past experiences in taking tests, determine what the weak areas are and work on those. By seeking out teachers or counselors, you can ask for advice on how to improve in those areas. Take sample tests, evaluate the results and keep testing and reevaluating.

A review of the weaker area(s) of concern can help with the content of the ACT, such as vocabulary words or brushing up on geometry, trig, or algebra problems.

Because the science section will measure your reasoning, it is the easiest section of the ACT. It will be important to know how to read scientific data in charts, graphs or reports.

Each of the four multiple-choice ACT test sections (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science) is scored on a scale of 1-36. You will also receive a composite score, which is the average of your four test scores (1-36). When you receive your score report results, it will include national rankings where you can compare your performance against students across the country. For instance, if you ranked in the 95th percentile on the Mathematics Test, you did better than 94% of other students, while 5% did tested than you.

You will receive a Writing Test sub score and a Combined English/Writing score. Essays are judged for quality not quantity with a sub score of 0-12 and a combined English/Writing score of 1-36. The Ivy League universities will look at your essay, while other universities may not consider this as important for their admissions requirements. On the ACT web site you can search for writing test requirements by school. As you decide on your choices of possible universities, based on your scores, you should check with each school to understand how they make decisions about your writing score.

So, should you take a ACT online, a classroom course or chose a one-on-one tutor? It can be costly in both time and money. However, practice sessions, taking sample tests, review of weaker areas of concern and tracking of your scores during this class is helpful.

You can also get excellent results with a disciplined approach, a one-on-one tutor and a good ACT guide book. If you chose a one-on-one tutor, they should help you in the ACT content areas, as well as, strategies how to take the test. You will need to know content, as well as, methods or processes for math problems and reading. Feedback is essential to avoid making the same errors and to know why you may have missed an understanding of a subject area.

A tutor from Napervile Tutoring and an ACT prep book from the ACT.org is a great way to go. Here are some good choices for ACT preparation books below which can be ordered directly from this site.

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Barron's ACT English, Reading, and Writing Workbook (Barron's Act English, Reading and Writing)

This brand-new workbook gives college-bound students extensive practice and review that will help them excel on all three verbal sections and all four reading genres of the ACT. An introductory overview explains the formats for the English Test, the Reading Test, and the Writing Test. A full-length self-assessment test follows with an answer key and explanations to help students assess their strengths and weaknesses. Succeeding chapters review the subject matter of all three tests and present drills, strategies, practice questions, study advice, and test-taking tips. Students review English grammar, punctuation, and style. They sharpen their reading comprehension with practice passages in the Humanities, Natural Science, Prose Fiction, and Social Science. Finally, they hone their essay-writing skills, guided by the author's instruction in organizing their ideas, writing a rough draft, and editing the finished essay. A final chapter presents a full-length practice test with answers and explanations.

McGraw-Hill's Conquering the ACT Math