ACT and SAT Boot Camp Presentations ACT The

ACT and SAT Boot Camp Presentations

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The Basics Day of the Test CHECKLIST FOR TEST DAY: • Admission Ticket (should receive in the mail 2 to 3 weeks before your test date) • No. 2 Pencils and Erasers • Approved Calculator and batteries (TI 84 or TI 84+) • ID Form • wrist watch Optional: • snacks • bottled water

What Exactly is On the ACT? • 3 hours and 25 minutes - total • English=70 questions in 45 minutes • Math= 60 questions in 60 minutes • Critical Reading= 40 questions in 35 minutes • Science= 40 questions in 35 minutes

What is a “Good Score” on the ACT? • Each section is on a scale of 1 to 36 • Perfect combined score of an avg of 36 –Harvard: 32 –UT: 28 –A&M: 30 –UH: 18 English, 21 Reading, 22 Mathematics and 24 Science • Scores can typically be found on the college or universities websites • You will get your raw score and a percentile ranking score

Getting in Gear 1. 2. 3. 4. Set A Score Goal Block Out Time in Your Schedule Study with Friends Treat It Like the Real Thing

ACT- (1) 60 minute section pg 6 of practice book 60 questions -NO GRIDDABLES Must memorize formulas Number and Quantity 7 -10% Algebra 12 -15% Functions 12 -15% Geometry 12 -15% Statistics and Probability 8 -12% Integrating Essential Skills 40 -43% Modeling 25%

Math Section Know your directions! Each section will begin by showing where you should be on your answer sheet. The directions will be the same in practice as they are on the test. Don’t take the time to read directions.

Calculators • Know how to use your calculator. • Know your arithmetic. • Know your squares • TI-84 is allowed on both SAT and ACT – TI-89 and up are not allowed. All problems can be solved without a calc, so if you find yourself without outrageuous responces, they are probably wrong

Skipping Questions Don’t think Might get it you will get it right if you right have time Answered, but not sure if correct

Formula Activity Knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills are assumed as background knowledge. Extensive computation is not required

PEMDAS----Don’t expect something super simple, expect fractions and multiple parenthesis see example on separate handout

Dividing Fractions: Expect to also use PEMDAS see example of separate handout

Word Problems How to change confusing words into easy to understand numbers and symbols.

Rule 1: Of usually means multiply Ex: ½ of y Means: ½ x y of =

Rule 2: Exceeds by or is greater than means subtract(or add) Example: X exceeds y by 7 Means: x - y = 7 or y + 7 = X Exceeds = or

Rule 3: Percent (%) usually goes with of. Percent means per (of) hundred Example: 25% of y Means: 25 of 100 of y or 25/100 of y = fraction

Rule 4: But wait, there’s more. Percent can be made trickier with the word more. Example: Sue has 25% more apples than John Means: Sue has the same as John plus 25% more = same +

Rule 5: Percent increase or decrease means subtract or add. Example: Jim invests $50. It increases 10%. Means: $50 + (10% of $50) = investment increase = decrease =

Rule 6: Ratio A ratio is a comparison. Example: The ratio of y to x is 5 Means: y/x = 5; y is being compared to x

Rule 7: Chance or probability is a type of ratio. Chance or probability means number of times the particular thing could happen number of times any of the things could happen

6 Rules of Guessing You are taking the same test that 11 th and 12 th graders are taking, there WILL be questions you do not know…. I’m going to train you on some tips for increasing your chances of accuracy.

Rule 1 of Guessing -One of these things is MOST like the others…. . If you have no idea what the correct answer is, chose the one that looks MOST like all the other answers

Rule 2 of Guessing: Problems INCREASE in difficulty as you go along • If you are on one of the last questions in the math section and you arrive at your answer with a simple calculation, the answer is probably wrong.

Rule 3 of Guessing: THREE’s a crowd • When 20 different test were sampled, there were only 9 sets of triplets. . • There were no instances when the same letter choice occurred 4 times in a row

Rule 4 of Guessing Choose an answer that contains the number represented in the most answer choices See example on separate handout

Rule 5 of Guessing Pick “non answers” at the beginning, not at the end • If at the beginning of the test there is a choice that says, “Answer not listed” there is 50% chance this is the correct answer • However, if it is offered near the end of the test, it’s probably wrong • (probably, but not always, if you think it’s the right answer, then choose it)

Rule 6 of Guessing Beware of answer choices that express an opinion too strongly or that makes an absolute statement • This occurs more in reading

MOST IMPORTANTLY • If you know the right answer, don’t guess a different answer

ACT Reading Section O 35 minute section O 40 questions O 4 passages w/ 10 questions

What’s on the test? 1 A Passage 1 is a Prose Fiction excerpt. Go to 2 1 B Passage 1 is a Social Science excerpt. Go to 3 2 A Passage 2 is a Social Science excerpt. Go to 4 2 B Passage 2 is a Humanities excerpt. Go to 5 5 A Passage 4 is a Science excerpt. 5 B Passage 4 is about “The Jaws That Jump. College Ready ” Duke TIP

Format of the Test 3 A The answer choices for questions are A, B, C, D Go to 6 3 B The answer choices for questions are F, G, H, J Go to 7 4 A Passage 2 has you compare two passages (A & B) Go to 8 4 B Passage 3 has you compare two passages (A & B) Go to 9

Format of the Test

Types of Questions Activity

do NOT read the passage first watch your time 8/9 minutes per passage 35 s/? 1. Read & underline relevant information in ? ’s 2. Scan the for what ? ’s are asking 3. Answer question without looking at answer choices Reading Rules answer in this order 1 st: vocabulary 2 nd: line specific 3 rd: specific detail 4 th: inferred or implied 5 th: main idea or primary purpose Know the directions

Think about it this way… IMAGINE TWO CHILDREN PLAYING TAG IN A DEEP, DARK forest. Who’s gonna win? A speed demon from the big city who doesn’t know his way around and keeps tripping and falling? Or a slower-footed tyke who grew up in the forest and knows every root, twist, and cranny of the forest? Here’s the point: Knowing the landscape can be very helpful. If the ACT’s the forest, you’ll have to know the nooks and crannies of the test. Source: http: //www. sparknotes. com/testprep/books/newsat/chapter 6. rhtml

ACT English: what’s on the test? • The ACT English section is a 75 -question, 45 -minute test. • That comes out to just 36 seconds per question! • Each English test has five essays or passages, each of which is accompanied by a sequence of multiple-choice questions. • Spelling and vocabulary aren’t tested on ACT English.

ACT English: What’s on the test? • ACT English tests two broad content areas. • The first is Usage and Mechanics(including punctuation, grammar usage, and sentence structure). • Usage and Mechanics will require fine-tuned punctuation and grammar knowledge. • The second is Rhetorical Skills (including strategy, organization, and style). • Rhetorical Skills focuses on your comprehending of the passage as a whole and your ability to maximize the passage's organization and style.

ACT English: What’s on the test? Want more tips? https: //edpuzzle. com/media/580 f 5656 d 171 f 3 f 33 e 114541

ACT English How to tackle the English section: 1. Skim the passage as if it were a regular piece of writing (you will NOT have time to read the entire piece) 2. Correct or circle mistakes before looking at choices 3. “No change” is often the answer 4. If you are not sure which concept is being tested, look at the answer choices for a clue

ACT English *Let’s take a look at what the ACT English section looks like… *Grab a packet and begin looking at the various types of questions. *What do you notice about the questions? Passages?

ACT English Knowing your grammar and revision rules are very important in this section! Let’s practice! Take out your device and prepare to play Kahoot!

ACT English Kahoot: If you do not have a device, you may work with a friend. https: //create. kahoot. it/? _ga=1. 72844435. 122 4761066. 1465476799&device. Id=618123706 a 56 -498 c-9 ceb-8 f 863 f 5 c 426 c#quiz/5 eb 96 d 49 -5 ea 7 -4 dc 8 -b 57 f-50 cc 4 af 27 cd 5

ACT Science Reasoning • 40 Questions in 35 minutes • Contains 7 reading passages. • Each passage is equal in length and difficulty. • Answer easiest first. (Within a passage, the easiest questions are first, followed by moderate, and then difficult. ) • You should avg. about 5 minutes per passage. Does not test Science knowledge. • Tests ability to read and interpret information displayed in tables, graphs, and charts.

Best ACT Science Prep Strategies Part #1 Tips and Tricks Video

Primary Question Types • Data Representation: Reading & interpreting information from tables, graphs, or illustrations • Research Summaries: drawing conclusions & predicting results based on data collected from several experiments • Conflicting Viewpoints: Comparing opposing views or comparing different experiments with two to three theories to explain a scientific observation

Table Trends Exercise

Ways to Reason Problem/Situation: You have to get from point A to Point B as fast as you possibly can. You are offered two means of transportation that start from the same position. Option A-Jet plane that can transport you at 700 mph. Option B- Ferrari that can transport you at speeds close to 200 mph. What would be the best way to get from Point A to Point B?

• Why did you choose your answer? • What factors might be considered in order to determine the correct answer? • What would some factors be that might cause you to change your initial answer? • What did you learn from this?

Table Trends Directions: Identify the trends in the tables below. Place arrows or symbols by each column header to represent the trend. increasing decreasing constant

Taking Notes Passage As the temperature increased, the pressure increased. Notes T↑=P↑

Best ACT Science Prep Strategies Part #2 Video - Use Your Finger

Tips Use these four steps while tackling the Science Reasoning section: 1. Read the question and restate it if necessary 2. Refer back to the passage 3. Formulate your answer without looking at the choices 4. Match your answer to the choices given

Know Your Directions Don’t waste time reading directions. Directions: There are several passages in this test. Each passage is followed by several questions. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer document. You may refer to the passages as often as necessary. You are NOT permitted to use a calculator.

Science Testing Strategies • Stay Focused. • Don’t read the directions. • Preview the associated graphs and tables. • Identify critical elements in passages. (Underline or Circle, make notes) • Don’t Waste Time on Confusing or Long Words. • Don’t take too much time on any question. • Eliminate the wrong answers first. • The least wrong answer will be correct.

Best ACT Science Prep Strategies Part #3 Science Strategies Part #3

SAT/ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Factual Questions in ACT Science: How to Read Graphs, Tables, and Data http: //tinyurl. com/act-graphs-tables-data (http: //blog. prepscholar. com/factual-questions-in-act-science-tips-and-strategies-how-to-read-graphs-tables-and-data)

Questions? ? ? *Attend sessions offered at your junior high. *Utilize online sites for helpful strategies. *Read the ACT Practice Booklet you have been given. *Take the practice tests. GOOD LUCK!!!