ACT Tips and Tricks English III The ACT

ACT Tips and Tricks English III

�The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. �The ACT is a national college admissions examination. �The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an (optional) Writing Test. �ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the US. What is the ACT exactly?

�The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, including a short break (or just over four hours if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing). What does the ACT look like?

�The ACT multiple-choice tests are based on what you're learning. �The ACT helps you plan for your future (Interest Inventory/Student Profile). �Colleges look at your scores. �You can take it more than once. WHY Take the ACT? ? ?

�Money for college! Lots of scholarships have a minimum ACT score as a requirement. �Get into the college you want. Area colleges and universities all have suggested minimums for ACT scores. Benefits of a Good ACT Score

College/University Illinois State University Kishwaukee College Northern Illinois University Rock Valley College ACT Composite Score (Middle 50%) 22 -26 Scores under 23 may require remedial coursework… 20 -25 (General Admission) Scores under 18 may require remedial coursework Rockford College Minimum composite score of 19 University of Illinois Varies by college, but 25 is the lowest cutoff Western Illinois University 18 -23 Does your score allow you to go to the university of your dreams?

�Avoid remedial coursework �Do you know that a good ACT score may help you avoid additional testing, as well as HOURS of remedial coursework and “academic probation” status? Avoid “catching up” while entering college!

�The highest achievable score on the ACT is 36. A students score is determined by awarding points for all questions answered correctly. No points are deducted for wrong answers. Each section of the ACT is graded separately, and these scores are averaged to create a composite score for the entire exam. This is your final score, and it is this score that provides college admissions boards with an accurate measure of your skills in the various areas that have been tested. How is ACT scored?

�When it comes to the GPA and the ACT, students often wonder which one is more important. �Although college admissions officers often say that they give much more weight to a student’s GPA, even they will admit that your ACT score is of considerable importance. �Here’s what they won’t tell you: your ACT is often more important than your high school grades! Why? ACT vs. GPA

�PACE YOURSELF! �There are time limits for each section, and you should not spend too much time on any one question. �Come up with a game plan: Are you going to answer easy questions first and then go back to answer more difficult questions? �Or will you guess and keep going? TIPS On Answering Questions

�There is no penalty for guessing. MAKE SURE YOUR GUESS is logical. Don’t be a random guesser. �Read each question thoroughly. Pay close attention to bold or italics. �Answer EVERY question! �If more than one answer seems correct, choose the one that BEST answers the question. �Try to avoid making smudges on your answer sheet. Erase changed answers completely. …

�Some students find it helpful to read or skim the questions before reading the passage, so they read with an idea of what’s being asked. �This is a technique that is totally up to you! To Preview or Not to Preview?

English Math Target Score # Right 36 75 36 60 30 69– 70 30 53– 54 26 60– 62 26 44– 45 23 52– 54 23 38– 39 20 44– 46 20 32– 33 17 36– 38 17 23– 25 11 19– 21 11 7– 8 Reading Science Reasoning Target Score # Right 36 40 30 35 30 37 26 30– 31 26 32– 33 23 26– 27 23 27– 28 20 22– 23 17 18 17 16– 17 11 9– 10 11 7 Target Scores

�Get some sleep. �Get up on time! �No Cell phones! Don’t void your scores. And Everyone else's. �Eat breakfast. You don’t want to be distracted. Good. Luck!