THE ACT ASSESSMENT

This test is used by colleges to predict students’ success in

college courses.

What types of questions are on the ACT?

Based on subjects studied in high school

Emphasizes thinking skills

Does not ask you to recall facts or memorize information

Questions require students to solve problems, draw conclusions, make inferences, think analytically

How long does the test take?

The test takes 2 hours and 55 minutes to completeIt consists of 215 multiple-choice questions in 4 areas:

EnglishMathReading Science reasoning30-minute writing test

How long will it take for me to get my scores?

Three to seven weeks after your test date

What is the highest possible score?

36

The national average score for 2010 was 20.7.

Is it OK to guess?

Your score on the test will be based on the number of questions that you answer correctly

THERE IS NO PENALTY FOR GUESSING!

Answer every question, even if you have to guess

May I use a calculator on the math portion of the test?

You may use a calculator on the approved list, but it’s not required

You may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator unless it has features described on the prohibited list www.actstudent.org

You will be supplied a calculator to use during testing; no sharing

How many questions are on the English test?

TOTAL OF 75 questions, 45 minutes

Usage and Mechanics Punctuation Grammar and UsageSentence Structure

10121840 TOTAL

Rhetorical SkillsWriting StrategyOrganizationStyle

12111235 TOTAL

What are some tips for taking the English test?

Be aware of time and pace yourself. You have 45 minutes to answer 75 questions. Spend 1 ½ minutes skimming each passage and 30 seconds to answer each question.Be aware of the writing style used in each passage.Carefully examine the underlined portions of the passage.Note the differences in the answer choices.

Two choices might look identical except for a small change in punctuation.

Do not select an answer that corrects one error but causes a different error.

To determine the best answer to an underlined portion, reread the sentence substituting each of the possible answer choices for the underlined portion.Reread the sentence using your selected answer to make sure your answer fits smoothly within the context of the passage.

How many questions are on the math test?

TOTAL OF 60 questions, 60 minutes

Pre-algebra

Elementary algebra

Intermediate algebra

Coordinate geometry

Plane geometry

Trigonometry

14

10

9

9

14

4

What are some tips for taking the math test?

You have 60 minutes to answer 60 questions. You have an average of 1 minute per question.If you use a calculator, use it wisely. Remember, all the problems can be solved without using a calculator.Use your booklet or scratch paper to work out solutions. Don’t try to do them in your head if there are a lot of steps. Write down all the steps in case your answer is not a choice and you have to go back. Don’t work backwards from the answer choices because that takes too much time.If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the problem to see if you misunderstood it or look at the choices and see if your answer can be written in another way.

How many questions are on the reading test?

TOTAL OF 40 questions, 40 minutes

Prose fiction: novels, short stories

Social studies

Humanities

Natural Science

10

10

10

10

What are some tips for taking the reading test?

You have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions. Spend 2-3 minutes reading each passage and 35 seconds to answer each question.Read the entire passage carefully- do not skim the text.Refer back to the passage when answering questions.If a question asks about a specific line number, make sure you carefully reread that line before reading the choices.

How many questions are on the science reasoning test?

TOTAL OF 40 questions, 35 minutes

Data representation:

graphs, tables

Research summaries:

experiments

Conflicting viewpoints:

inconsistent hypotheses

15

18

7

What are some tips for taking the science reasoning test?

You have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions. Spend 2 minutes reading each passage and 30 seconds to answer each question.Carefully read the scientific material provided, including any tables, graphs, or figures.If the text is about an experiment, consider the experimental design, including the controls and variables.If the material presents conflicting viewpoints, summarize each viewpoint in your booklet or on scratch paper.

Tips for the ACT Writing TestYou have 30 minutes to write the essay.The prompt will define an issue and describe 2 points of view. You will take a position and explain/defend your point of view.Your essay will be evaluated on your ability to do the following:

Express judgments by taking a position on the issue in the writing promptMaintain a focus on the topic throughout the essayDevelop a position by using logical reasoning and by supporting your ideasOrganize ideas in a logical wayUse language clearly and effectively according to the conventions of standard written English.

Pre-write before you begin writing and review your essay after you have written it.