ACT: The Basics

1. ACT: The Basics September 6, 2018

2. What is the ACT? • The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in: English, Math, Reading and Science. • The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests plus a thirty minute writing test. • ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. • 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).

3. When is the ACT offered? ACT Website: www.actstudent.org BHS High School Code: 431636

4. How much is it? • ACT (No Writing) $50.50 Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register). • ACT (Plus Writing) $67.00 Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register). • TIR (Test Information Release) $20.00 (Dec, Apr, June)

5. How much, continued… • Seniors – retake is October 16, 2018 during school – no fee • Juniors – will test free March 12, 2019

6. How is it scored? • You will earn one ACT score (1 to 36) on each test (English, Math, Reading and Science) and a composite ACT score, which is an average of these four tests. • Usually, when people ask about your score, they are referring to your composite ACT score. The composite score falls between 1 and 36. • If, for example, you scored 31 on the English, 30 on the Math, 29 on the Reading and 30 on the Science, your composite ACT score would be 30.

7. ACT is important because… • College and workplace success (benchmarks indicate readiness) • Admission to college • Scholarship opportunities • Avoidance of postsecondary remediation

8. We want our students to have opportunities! • Students can receive the HOPE Scholarship by making a 21 composite on their ACT or a 3.0 GPA. • Four-Year Institutions and two-year institutions with on-campus housing: Up to $1,750 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshmen and sophomore; then up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior • Two-Year Institutions: Up to $1,500 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore • Award amounts are available for summer enrollment • Students who make a 29 composite on their ACT and have a 3.75 GPA may earn up to an additional $500/semester. • For more information, visit www.tn.gov/collegepays

9. We want them to graduate with honors! To graduate with TN state honors, students must meet the ACT benchmarks. These benchmarks equal college readiness. • English: 18 • Math: 22 • Reading: 22 • Science: 23

10. We want them to get into their top schools!

11. ACT Prep • BHS offers a one-semester course designed to improve standardized test scores, specifically on the ACT college admission test. The focus is on all four major test areas: English, Reading, Math, and Science. • Students are recommended to take ACT Prep the second semester of their sophomore year or the first semester of their junior year. • All students have access to ACT Academy – free! https://academy.act.org/ • Pre-ACT is given to Sophomores and Juniors.

12. Saturday ACT Prep Sessions These are advertised and posted in several locations around the school (Cove, main lobby, G wing, E/F Hall) ACT Tutoring - Ms. Baumann and Ms. Flagg offer ACT tutoring in F15 from 8 to 11 am on the following Saturdays: August 25 September 22 October 13 November 17 December 1

13. Additional ACT Resources • www.actstudent.org/testprep • www.number2.com • www.march2success.com • www.badtesttakers.com • www.khanacademy.org • Blackman High ACT resources page