What’s New with the ACTBy Lisa Zimmer Hatch, IEC and author of ACT For

Dummies, 1001 ACT Practice Questions For Dummies, and other test prep texts

Answers to your questions about changes to the ACT

What Will this Hour Cover?

• ACT Content

• Recent ACT Modifications

• Examination of Enhanced Writing Test

• Changes to the ACT Score Reports

• ACT Prep Resources

ACT Breakdown by Section

What Does the ACT Look Like?

Test: # of Questions: Time Allotted:

English 75 45 minutes

Math 60 60 minutes

Reading 40 35 minutes

Science 40 35 minutes

Writing 1 40 minutes(optional)

How is the ACT Scored?

• Composite 1 – 36Rounded average of four section scores

– English– Math – Reading– Science

• Writing Test score (1-36) is separate• Raw score is based on number of questions

answered correctly and then converted to scaled score.

Sample ACT Scale Score Conversion Table

Answering just one more question correctly can raise a section score by one point.

What the ACT Expects Students to Know

English: The fundamentals of grammar, usage, punctuation, and diction plus writing skills, such as paragraph organization and content relevance

Mathematics: Arithmetic, geometry, coordinate geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and algebra II but no calculus

Reading: How to extract content from passage on a variety of topics and read between the lines

Science: How to analyze charts, graphs, and tables to draw conclusions about science topics

Writing (optional): How to create a logical persuasive argument in support of a position on a specific topic using specific examples and considering the ramifications of three perspectives

The English TestThe questions on the English test fall into the following two categories:

•Usage and mechanics•Rhetorical skills

The Question Types

Analyzing Underlined WordsAbout half of the English test involves examining underlined words in a sentence for

proper grammar and mechanics – the job is then to determine whether the underlined portion is correct as is or whether one of the three alternate answer choices is

preferable.

Dealing with Writing QuestionsOther English questions ask students to strategize about content, style, and

organization. Often, the first step in answering these questions successfully is to eliminate answer choices that you know can’t be right.

English Test Quick Tips

• Review grammar and usage rules.

• Read question carefully.

• Think of the questions as puzzles and look for clues to the answers.

• Reread the sentence with your answer included to make sure it works.

English Test questions cover usage and mechanics and rhetorical skills. Play detective and look for clues.

The Math Test

• Arithmetic

• Plane Geometry

• Coordinate Geometry

• Algebra

• Trigonometry

Math Test Quick Tips

• Review high school and elementary math: Many questions regard basic math skills.

• Look at the answers before you perform calculations.

• Read question carefully.

• Weed out unimportant details.

• Plug in answer choices.

• Substitute values for variables.

• Draw pictures and other visual clues.

ACT Math Questions –Mid-range Difficulty

Math questions have 5 answer choices instead of 4.

#36 may be more easily answered by plugging in the answer choices.

#37 requires knowing math terminology.

The Reading Test

On the Reading Test, students have to read four different passages and answer questions about each. With 40 questions to answer in 35 minutes, it’s a speed reading test. The test always includes a passage or set of passages on each of the following topics:

•Prose fiction•Social studies•Humanities•Natural Science

Most of the questions students encounter fall into the following categories:

•Main-idea questions•Detail questions•Tone, attitude and inference questions•Vocabulary-in-context questions•Exception questions

Reading Test Quick Tips

• Eliminate answers that are obviously wrong.

• Attack favorite passages/questions first.

• Skim passages first for overall structure and content or skip them altogether.

• Circle important elements of the question.

• Remain objective.

The Reading Test passages have 10 questions each. Question types include main theme, specific information, inference, exception, and vocabulary in context.

The Science Test

• Six passages regarding different science topics in biology, physics, environmental science, and chemistry• Tests ability to read and analyze charts and graphs

Questions fall into one of two main types:

• Questions about results• Questions about procedure

The Science Test primarily determines how well students read charts and graphs and evaluate

standard experimental procedures.

Science Test Quick Tips

• Jump into the questions without reading the paragraphs.

• Know where to find information.

• Don’t think you have to know about science to answer the questions.

• Read questions and data carefully.

The (Optional) Writing Test• 40-minute essay• Issue•Three perspectives

Since 6/14, the ACT has instituted several changes to reflect its enhanced purpose

How Has the ACT Changed?

• Additional assessments

– Aspire for 3rd grade up

– ACT Profile

– Career Readiness

• Math – increased difficulty

• Reading – added one set of comparison passages

• Science – reduced number of passages to 6

• Writing – presented new prompt format and time limit

• Score Report – included additional scores

More Difficult Math

• Precalculus helps but questions are formatted so that those without precalc coursework can work through answer options logically.

• Occasionally a more advanced probability or logic problem pops up.

New Comparative Reading Set

• One of the four passage topics will contain a comparative set.

• Comparative passage may be easier for many students.

Fewer Science Passages

• More questions per passage

• More focus on knowledge of the scientific process

• A extra question or two that tests knowledge of fundamentals

In September, the ACT introduced the Enhanced Writing Test

How Has the Writing Test Changed?

• Provides additional writing time

• Intended to better represent high school writing

• Designed to provide more detailed scoring data to high schools and colleges

• So far, much more challenging scoring structure

How the ACT Scores Enhanced Writing

• Two readers

• Four scoring domains with scores ranging from 1 to 6– Ideas and Analysis

– Development and Support

– Organization

– Language Use and Conventions

• Total raw score range of 8 to 48

• Scaled score range of 1 to 36

Recent Scoring Controversy

• New scores are generally lower.

• High English Test scores don’t necessarily correlate with high Writing Test scores.

• Rescoring is possible: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/your-scores.html

• Confusing scoring may affect how colleges view Writing Test.

Essay Quick Tips

• This is a persuasive essay. Pick a position.

• Use your time wisely

– 10 minutes to organize your thoughts

– 27 minutes to write the bulk of your essay

– 3 minutes to edit and proofread

• Incorporate all perspectives. Consider pros and cons of each before settling on your thesis.

Will Colleges Require the Writing Test?

• More colleges are choosing to waive the essay requirement for both the ACT and the new SAT.

• Colleges ACT writing policy search engine: https://actapps.act.org/writPrefRM/

• Check college websites for updated policies.

How Has the Score Report Changed?

• Redesigned score reports for colleges, high schools, and students

• New ELA and STEM scores

• College and Career Readiness data

STEM Score

• Represent the student’s overall performance on the science and math portions of the exam.

• Average of the math and science scores.

ELA Score

• Average of English, reading, and writing scores.

• A student must take the optional writing test to receive this score.

Text Complexity Progress Indicator

• This score is based on responses to Reading Test.

• This indicator assesses how well students deal with subtlety in a text’s purpose, nuances in language use (metaphor, irony, etc.), structural complexity of paragraphs and sentences, and other factors when compared to peers.

• Scoring is general: below proficient, proficient, or above proficient.

Progress Toward Career Readiness

This measure provides an indicator of future performance on the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT NCRC®) achieved through taking three WorkKeys assessments.

http://www.act.org/certificate/index.html

How Can Students Prepare for the ACT?

• Self-study

– Books

– Online prep

• Coursework

– Online courses

– Live classes

• Individualized guided study

Self-Study Considerations

Pros

• Inexpensive

• Flexible

• Accessible

Cons

• Requires tons of self-discipline or nagging from parents

• Lacks feedback

Who Benefits?

• Highly-disciplined and well-motivated students who are already good test-takers and want to maximize their already stellar test scores

• Those who want an intro to the ACT

Self-Study Plan

• Book that focuses on strategy and practice, such as ACT For Dummies, 6th Edition, and 1001 ACT Practice Questions For Dummies

• The Real ACT Prep Guide, which contains 5 full-length ACT tests

Test Prep Courses: Guided Online

Pros

• Usually less expensive than live courses

• Guided instruction with opportunity to ask questions

• More structured than self-study

• Easy to attend

Cons

• Usually more expensive than self study

• Easy to disregard lessons

• Less personal attention

Who Benefits?

Motivated and self-disciplined students who desire more personal attention and more thorough preparation than that gained from self study

Online Course Plan

• Community colleges and college continuing education departments often offer comprehensive online courses with guided instruction.

• If you don’t find one in your area, look elsewhere. Online has no geographic boundaries.

• Take a course as a group with a few dedicated friends.

Live Test Prep Courses

Pros

• Instructor guidance

• Ability to ask questions

• Structured format with assignments and deadlines to make sure students participate in the instruction

• Group dynamic

Cons

• More expensive (though some continuing and community education programs offer affordable options)

• Inconvenient scheduling

• Instruction not personalized to the specific needs of the student

• Group dynamic

Who Benefits from Live Courses?

• Students who need more structure to ensure that they complete assignments

• Students who learn better in groups

• Those who feel comfortable asking questions

Live Course Plan

• Look for inexpensive options at community colleges or through community education, but make sure the course covers more than just an introduction.

• Ask a test prep tutor to work with a small group of your friends.

Personalized Test Prep

Pros

• Personalized attention and motivation

• Instruction customized to student’s specific needs

• Schedule tailored to student

• By far the best option for those who can afford it

Cons

Can be most expensive option

Who Benefits?

•Students who need instruction in particular areas•Students with learning differences•Students who thrive on personal attention•Students who lack self-motivation•Those who are uncomfortable asking questions in a group•In other words, almost everyone

Personalized Test Prep Plan

• Tutor is key

– Experienced in test strategy

– Empathetic

– Knowledgeable about learning styles

• Resources

– Professional test prep tutors

– High school teachers familiar with the ACT

– Online tutoring companies

ACT Test Prep Resources

• The Real ACT Prep Guide• Free Study Guide:

http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf

• ACT For Dummies• 1001 ACT Practice Questions For Dummies• ACT Test prep: Official $39.95 online prep and free practice

questions: http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/• Test Information Release – April, June, December• ACT Profile Question of the Day:

https://www.actprofile.org/#testPrep

What’s Your Contact Info?

Lisa Zimmer Hatch

www.collegeprimers.com

lisa@collegeprimers.com

720-560-4944 cell

Test prep author and tutor for ACT, SAT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, and high school entrance

exams