ACT Test Prep

1. ACT Test Prep Reading Strategies with Mr. Boesch

2. Another Technique Reading Strategies

3. Test Day Tips • Get plenty of rest the night before test day. • Dress comfortably. Some test centers are warmer or cooler on weekends than during the week. • Bring your admission ticket to the test center. It contains Matching Information you must copy exactly onto your answer document or your scores will be delayed. • Plan to arrive by the time indicated on your admission ticket (normally 8:00 a.m.).

4. Tips for Taking the ACT • Don’t read the directions. • Read each question carefully. • Pace yourself—don't spend too much time on a single passage or question. • Pay attention to the announcement of five minutes remaining on each test. • Use a soft lead No. 2 pencil with a good eraser; do not use a mechanical pencil or ink pen.

5. Tips for Taking the ACT • Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones if you have time remaining on that test. • On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining. • Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.

6. Test Taking Tips for the ACT • If you complete a test before time is called, recheck your work on that test. • Mark your answers properly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging. • Do not mark or alter any ovals on a test or continue writing the essay after time has been called. If you do, you will be dismissed and your answer document will not be scored. • Write in the margins. • Pay extra to be given the answer key. • Visit www.actstudent.org

7. Test Taking Tips for the ACT • The Reading Test is a 40-question, 35-minute test that measures your reading comprehension. You're asked to read four passages and answer questions that show your understanding of: • what is directly stated • statements with implied meanings

8. The Reading Section • Four of them • About 750 words each • Not very interesting • fiction passage • social science passage (history, economics, psych., anthropology, political science) • humanities passage (art, music, architecture) • natural sciences passage (bio, chem, physics) • 10 questions/passage

9. What they will ask you • Specifically, questions will ask you to use referring and reasoning skills to: • determine main ideas • locate and interpret significant details • understand sequences of events • make comparisons • comprehend cause-effect relationships • determine the meaning of context-dependent words, phrases, and statements • draw generalizations • analyze the author's or narrator's voice and method

10. The Need for Speed • The Hand 1. The first method is to simply place your right hand on the page and slowly move it straight down the page, drawing your eyes down as you read. Keep an even, slow motion. 2. Your eyes may not be exactly where your hand is, but this simple motion will help you go faster. 3. Keep the movement slow and easy. Only do it once per page. If you are "left-handed" use your left hand as the dominant pacing hand.

11. The Need for Speed • The Sweep 1. Use your hand to help draw your eyes across the page. Slightly cup your right hand. Keep your fingers together. 2. With a very light and smooth motion, sweep your fingers from left to right, underlining the line with the tip of your tallest finger from about an inch in and an inch out on each line. 3. Use your whole arm to move, balancing on your arm muscle. Imagine that you are dusting off salt from the page.

12. The Need for ______ • These methods seem simple and easy, but don't let that fool you. These are very useful methods which can help a good reader read faster and better in very little time. • PRACTICE them. It usually takes about three or four session before you get accustomed to a particular technique.