Preparing for The ACT

1. Preparing for The ACT Ginger Green ACT Southeast Region

2. ACT Review • Curriculum-based test • Measures academic achievement • English • Math • Reading • Science • Writing (optional)

3. How is the ACT used? • College Admissions • Talent Identification • Academic Advising • Freshman Course Placement • Awarding Course Credit • Scholarships

4. Benefits for Students • Accepted by all 4-year colleges in the U.S. • Based on information learned in high school • More than a college admission exam – helps plan for life after high school • Rewards you for what you know • Choose the scores you send to colleges • Writing Test is optional • Many ways to prepare

5. The ACT English (1-36) Mathematics (1-36) Reading (1-36) Science (1-36) Composite (1-36) An average The ACT Plus Writing Combined English and Writing Score (1-36)* Writing Test Subscore (2-12) * Narrative Interpretation of Writing test Subscore * Composite not affected Scores Reported

6. Non-cognitive Components • Student Profile Section: • High school course/grade information • Education plans, interests, needs • College extracurricular plans • Out of class accomplishments • EOS • Education and Career Planning • ACT Interest Inventory • World-of-Work Map • College majors and programs

7. English Test • 75 questions, 45 minutes • 5 essays or passages, each with a set of multiple-choice questions • Two subscores and a total test score • Usage/Mechanics 40 questions • Punctuation 10 • Grammar and Usage 12 • Sentence Structure 18 • Rhetorical Skills 35 questions • Strategy 12 • Organization 11 • Style 12

8. Mathematics Test You may use a permitted calculator. • 60 questions, 60 minutes • Multiple-choice questions that require the use of reasoning skills to solve practical problems • Three subscores and a total test score • Pre-Algebra 14 questions • Elementary Algebra 10 • Intermediate Algebra 9 • Coordinate Geometry 9 • Plane Geometry 14 • Trigonometry 4

9. Reading Test • 40 questions, 35 minutes • 4 passages, each with a set of multiple-choice questions • Two subscores and a total test score • Social Studies/Sciences 20 questions • Social Studies 10 • Natural Sciences 10 • Arts/Literature 20 questions • Prose Fiction 10 • Humanities 10

10. Science Test You are not permitted to use a calculator. • 40 questions, 35 minutes • 7 sets of scientific information – measure student’s interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving skills • One score - Biology, Earth/Space Sciences, Chemistry, Physics • Data Representation 15 questions • Research Summaries 18 • Conflicting Viewpoints 7

11. Writing Test (optional) Must be completed in English. • 1 writing prompt, 30 minutes • Essay test that measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and entry-level college composition courses • Make and articulate judgments • Develop a position • Sustain focus • Organize and present ideas logically • Communicate clearly in writing

12. Additional Information • No penalty for guessing • Student decides what scores are sent to colleges • Length of test: 3 hours 25 min (including the optional 30 min Writing Test)

13. Scoring Timeline • Receiving scores • Online: ACT 3-4 weeks • ACT Plus Writing 5-8 weeks • Mailed: ACT 3-8 weeks • ACT Plus Writing 5-8 weeks • Sending scores • 4 total with registration (free) • Can send additional score reports for fee

14. How to Register • Create a student web account and register online: www.actstudent.org • Register for the ACT 24/7 • View your scores 3-4 weeks after testing for FREE • Real-time seat assignment • Print your admissions ticket • Receive email reminders • Decide where to send your scores • Update your student profile • FREE sample test questions

15. Test Security Enhancements • Students will be required to: • Provide their gender and upload a photo of themselves • Provide their high school code • Score reports will be sent automatically to students’ high schools • All acceptable IDs require a photo • No stand-by walk-ins on day of test www.act.org/idenhancements

16. Three Choices for Testing with Accommodations ACT Center Testing #1 • standard time ACT Center Testing #2 • 50% extended time ACT Special Testing • at school • > 50% extended time • alternate formats

17. ACT Center Testing #1 • Standard time with accommodations • Regular- or large-type test booklet • Examples: • Wheelchair access • Sign-language interpreter to sign spoken instruction • Diabetics allowed to eat snacks during testing

18. Requesting ACT Center Testing #1 May register on-line or with paper registration folder: • Student name, address, phone • Explain disability and describe accommodations • Written documentation of accommodations in school • Name and phone number of school official to contact if ACT has questions

19. ACT Center Testing #2 • Available all test dates • Small group assigned to separate room • Up to 50% extended time • Self-paced • Regular (10 pt) or large-type (18 pt) 5 hours for ACT (no writing) 5 hours 45 mins. if ACT Plus Writing

20. ACT Special Testing at School • More than 50% extended time and/or testing over multiple days • Alternate formats such as: • Braille, audiocassette, audio DVD, reader • Computer or scribe for essay • 6 discrete testing windows: • (One in September, October, December, • February, April, and June) • All Special Testing must take place • during a 3-week window that begins • on each National test day. Double or triple time

21. Which Form to Submit? • Application for ACT Extended Time National Testing • Request for ACT Special Testing (Both may be downloaded from www.actstudent.org. Select “Students with Disabilities.”

22. Eligibility Requirements • Professionally-diagnosed disability that precludes testing with standard time or requires multiple days • Current confirmation ofdiagnosis • Current school accommodations

23. Required Documentation • Copy of test accommodations page from current IEP, or copy of current 504 or Accommodations Plan • Showing student name, effective dates of the plan, and accommodations provided at school

24. Recent Diagnosisor Recent Plan? • Within last 3 years: • Submit full written diagnostic documentation

25. No IEP, 504,or Accommodations Plan? Exceptions Process: • Submit school letter detailing current test accommodations and frequency of use • If no accommodations at school, detailed explanation required • Full written diagnostic documentation required

26. Common Reasons for Denial • Incomplete application Missing signatures, no copy of IEP or 504, no history of accommodations • Diagnosis or plan within last 3 years Must include written diagnostic documentation, including full report including all scores and subscores from diagnostic tests • No description of substantial impairment to learning caused by the condition Effects on learning and academic achievement

27. If a student is denied… • Request reconsideration • Provide missing information • Contact ACT • Dialog with ACT

28. Recent Volumes • Over 123,000 requests for extended time or alternate formats annually • ACT typically approves approximately 90% of all requests • Testing with accommodations has remained constant at about 3-4% of total tests administered annually

29. Easy Steps for Repeat Testing Extended Time National Testing — Re-Registration • No need to resubmit documentation • By phone: specify request for SAME accommodations previously approved • By folder: complete only side 1 of new Extended Time Application • Registering on the web: student will be reminded that she had accommodations for a previous National test date. Must indicate if she wants the same accommodations.

30. Easy Steps for Repeat Testing Special Testing — Retest Requests • No documentation needed for SAME accommodations • Complete side 1 of new Special Testing Request Form • Enclose copy of ACT accommodations letter student received for prior testing

31. Prepare for the Test • Preparing for the ACT (free) • The Real ACT Prep Guide • ACT Online Prep • www.actstudent.org/testprep(free)

32. Preparing for the ACT(free booklet) • Full-Length Practice Test, including a Writing Test • Information about the Optional Writing Test • Strategies to Prepare for the Tests • What to Expect on Test Day

33. The Real ACT Prep Guide (with or without CD) • 5 practice tests each with an optional writing test • Explanations for all right and wrong answers • Test-taking strategies for all 4 subject areas

34. ACT Online Prep • Familiarizing students with how the test works • Diagnostic Test and 2 practice tests • Custom Study Path • Take the Tour: go to www.act.org, select The Test, select ACT Online Prep

35. www.actstudent.org

36. Student Resources www.actstudent.org • Testing Tips • Sample Questions with Explanatory Answers • ACT Question of the Day • Map of College Majors • Interactive World-of-Work Map • Financial Aid and Scholarship Information

37. Sample Test Questions

38. Parent Resources www.act.org/path/parent/ • Test FAQ • College planning checklists • Newsletters • Tools and resources • Financial Aid Need Estimator • Interactive Map of College Majors • Interactive Work-of-Work Map

39. Free Publications for Families • Why Take the ACT? • Preparing for the ACT (English and Spanish) • Get Set for College • Using Your ACT Results (English and Spanish) • Family Firsts: Guide for Parents of First-Generation College Students (English and Spanish) • Family Firsts: Guide for First-Generation College Students

40. Good Luck!! Prepare early to be successful!!!!