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ENGLISH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 1: Know the test

MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 1: Know the test. ENGLISH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 1: Know the test. FORMAT 60 Minutes – 60 Questions Multiple choice format with a stand-alone question. Five possible answer choices.

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ENGLISH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 1: Know the test

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  1. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 1: Know the test ENGLISH ACT STRATEGIESStrategy 1: Know the test FORMAT 60 Minutes – 60 Questions Multiple choice format with a stand-alone question. Five possible answer choices. Occasionally, you may encounter a set of two or three questions that share a table, graph, or other relevant information. NOT ordered in terms of difficulty.

  2. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 1: Know the test CONTENT • Number and Quantity (7-10%) Demonstrate knowledge of real and complex number systems. • Algebra (12-15%) • Functions (12-15%): Definition, notation, representation, and application. Graphs may be included. • Geometry (12-15%) • Statistics and Probability (8-12%) • Integrating Essential Skills (40-43%): Addresses concepts such as rates and percentages; proportional relationships; area, surface area, and volume; average and median; and expressing numbers in different ways. • Modeling: (Story or Word Problems) Overall measure of how well you use modeling skills across mathematical topics.

  3. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 2: Calculators • Calculators may only be used on the mathematics test. • All of the mathematical problems can be solved without a calculator. • Many of the problems are best done without a calculator. • Examinees may use any 4 function, scientific, or grafting calculator, as long as it is not on the prohibited list and it is modified if needed. • Visit www.act.org/calculator-policy-html or call 800-498-6481 for a recorded message.

  4. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 2: Calculators (cont.) • Do scratch work before using a calculator. • Determine if taking time to punch in the numbers will save you time or if working the calculations out in the margin of your test booklet is faster. • Be sure you punched in the proper numbers. • Double check your display before hitting the function key. • Hit the clear key when completed. • Avoid the memory functions. • Pay attention to the order of operations when using your calculator. • Practice with your calculator before the ACT exam.

  5. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 3: Know the Directions • Golden Rule: DON’T READ THE DIRECTIONS ON TEST DAY! • You need the extra time to complete the exam.

  6. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 4: ACT Method • Pace yourself. One minute per question. Don’t spend too much time on any one question. • Read each problem carefully. • Solve the problem without looking at the answer choices. • Do scratch work in the space provided. • Find your solution among the answer choices. • Look for information in the answer choices. • If your answer is not included among the choices, carefully reread the problem to see whether you missed important information.

  7. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 4: ACT Method (cont.) • Use illustrations wisely and whenever you can. • Answer all questions, even if you have to guess. • Answer all easy question first, then go back to answer the hard ones. • Make sure you answer the question. Make sure your answer accounts for all the necessary steps. Frequently, an answer choice is an intermediate result, not the final answer. • Make sure your answer is reasonable. • Check your answer. If there is time remaining before the end of the test, reread the questions and check your answers.

  8. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 5: Kaplan Method • Spend about 45 minutes on your first pass through the Math test. • Do the easier questions. • Guess on the questions you suspect you aren’t going to come back to. • Mark the tough ones that you’ll want to come back to. • Spend the last 15 minutes working the questions you skipped on the first pass. • Grid your answers at the end of every page or two. • If you’re running out of time, skip around looking for easy questions. Be sure to grid an answer for every question, even if it is a wild guess.

  9. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 5: Kaplan Method (cont.) • When you get stuck, restate the question in another way. Rearrange numbers, changing decimals to fractions, multiplying out numbers, redrawing a diagram, etc. • Find the objective and circle it. • Try eyeballing. You will be able to rule out some answers or get a better idea of what you are looking for.

  10. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 5: Kaplan Method (cont.) • Step 1: What is the question? Locate the end goal, the objective, and circle it. • Step 2: What information am I given? Underline the pieces of information provided. • Step 3: What can I do with the information? - Straightforward math. Use if you know how to answer the question using your math skills. - Picking numbers. Use this strategy when there are variables in the answer choices. Pick some easy to use numbers you can plug in for the variable to help you get the correct answer. Solve the question using the number(s) you picked. Test each of the answer choices using the number(s) you picked. Repeat until you get the answer you are looking for.

  11. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 5: Kaplan Method (cont.) - Backsolving. Uses the given answers to solve the problem. 1. Start in the middle of the answer choices. 2. Plug answer choice (C) into the problem and solve. 3. If answer choice (C) does not give you a correct solution, move on to the next answer choice. 4. Eliminate smaller/larger choices depending on the answer (C) gives you. 5. If you eliminate (C) and aren’t sure which direction to move, select an answer that looks easiest.

  12. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 5: Kaplan Method (cont.) Back-solve when: • All answer choices are numbers. • You are confused on how to solve a problem. • When you have complex word problems. • When you have confusing diagrams. • When it is quicker than the standard approach of solving the problem. • Note: In some situations, back-solving may not be effective.

  13. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 5: Kaplan Method (cont.) - Guess Strategically. Try to eliminate as many incorrect choices as you can before guessing. Use your Letter of the Day. Step 4: Am I finished? - Once you get an answer, check the question again. - Have you fully answered the question? - Test makers offer tempting answer choices for students who don’t recheck the question.

  14. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 6: Princeton Review Method • Order your questions the following way: - Now questions. Do the now questions immediately – the ones you know how to do and can do quickly and accurately. Skip any questions you think might take you a bit longer or which test unfamiliar concepts – save them for later. Circle the ones you skipped. - Later questions. Answer once you have the Now questions completed. - Never questions. User your Letter of the Day and bubble in all the blanks on Never questions.

  15. MATH ACT STRATEGIES Strategy 6: Princeton Review Method (cont.) • Use Process of Elimination (POE) – Cross out the wrong answer choice in your test booklet. • Ballpark. You can frequently get rid of several answer choices without doing complicated math. Narrow down the choices by estimating your answer. • Word Problems. - Know the questions. Read the whole problem before calculating anything, and underline the actual question. - Let the answers help. - Break the problem into bite-sized pieces. • Use Plugging In (Same as Kaplan method)

  16. MATH ACT TIPS • If your answer is not included among the choices, carefully reread the problem. • Pay careful attention to the question being asked. • Never dive headlong, wildly crunching numbers or manipulating equations without first giving the problem some thought. • Math questions are not always what they seem at first glance. Sometimes you need a new perspective to break through the disguise. Restate the problem. • Frequently, questions include answer choices that are based on incomplete solutions. • Make sure your answer is reasonable. • Check your work if there is time left at the end of the test.

  17. MATH ACT TIPS • Read the question and circle the key words. • Draw pictures. You have plenty of space to write and draw figures. • Label Drawings. • Turn words into Algebra. • Determine if the question is Now, Later or Never. • Do Now questions immediately. • Once you’ve done the Now questions, go back and answer the Later questions that you skipped. • Use a Letter of the Day for Never questions. • Use the Process of Elimination (POE).

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