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College Admissions Testing Megan Phillips Endeavor Academics

Learn all about the ACT college admissions test, including its structure, content, important tips, and recent changes. Find out which test to take, when to test, and how to prepare effectively.

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College Admissions Testing Megan Phillips Endeavor Academics

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  1. College Admissions Testing Megan Phillips Endeavor Academics

  2. The ACT • Four sections: • English • Math • Reading • Science • Each section is scored on a scale from 1 to 36. • Four sections averaged for composite score out of 36. • The national average for each section is roughly 21

  3. ACT English Usage/Mechanics • Asks students to evaluate: • Punctuation • Grammar and Syntax • Sentence Structure Rhetorical Skills • Asks students to evaluate: • Writing Strategy • Organization • Style

  4. ACT Math Mathematics skills typically acquired through 11th grade: • Arithmetic • Algebra I & II • Geometry • Trigonometry Important Tips • Questions are arranged by order of difficulty. • Only four trigonometry problems appear on the test.

  5. ACT Reading Section Structure and Passage Types • Prose Fiction • Social Science • Humanities • Natural Sciences Important Tips • Tests reading comprehension in a multiple-choice format. • No vocabulary study necessary. • Routine practice to ensure proper speed and timing is necessary.

  6. ACT Science Three passage formats: • Data Representation (graphs & tables) • Research Summaries (descriptions of related experiments) • Conflicting Viewpoints (expressions of related hypotheses or inconsistent viewpoints) Important Tips: • Only basic knowledge of scientific terms and concepts needed. • Section tests a student’s ability to quickly retrieve information, not memorize data.

  7. ACT Essay Writing composition skills: • Well-developed point of view • Consideration of given perspectives • Use of specific examples • Sentence structure • Cogent essay structure Important Tips: • The ACT essay is scored separately from the remainder of the exam. • Section tests a student’s ability to take a position and defend the position with relevant reasons and examples.

  8. Changes to the ACT • Expanded reporting categories-2016 • STEM, English Language Arts, College Readiness indicator, Test Complexity indicator • Essay Changes-Fall 2015 • 4 scores: ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, language use • 3 perspectives • Online testing-pilot in 2014, expanding in 2015

  9. ACT Wrap-Up • General Summary • The ACT is a 5-section test. • Assesses a student’s ability to work quickly over lengthy periods. • For Further Information visit http://www.actstudent.org • ACT Test Dates: Saturdays in… • Fall: September, October, December • Spring: February, April, June

  10. Which test(s) should I take? • Take practice tests. • Choose one test type (ACT or SAT current version or SAT new version). • Consider your college list, particularly when deciding whether to take SAT Subject Tests.

  11. SAT to ACT Conversion

  12. When should I test? • What was your sophomore year PSAT score? • What is your junior year extracurricular schedule like? • Unique to this year: which SAT format is a better fit for you?

  13. Testing Timeline Junior Year Senior Year • SAT Test Months • Fall: October, November, December • Spring: January, March, May, June • ACT Test Months • Fall: September, November, December • Spring: February, April, June

  14. Should I Prep? • What are your current scores? • What are the average scores at schools on your list? • How do your grades compare to the average GPA of admitted students?

  15. How should I prep? • Do you have the time and discipline to self study? Use real practice exams. • If not, is your schedule flexible enough for a group class? Group classes tend to be best for students with average starting scores.

  16. Trends We’re Noticing • Students are prepping earlier. • ACT is significantly more popular this year. • Students take official tests 2+ times. • More families are choosing tutoring. • More students are using accommodations.

  17. Please feel free to reach out with questions! Megan Phillips megan@endeavoracademics.com 512-222-7281

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