ACT+Prep

ACT Prep

**Challenge yourself: Try the ACT Question of the Day**

**General Tips for Taking the ACT**
 * Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.
 * Read the directions for each test carefully.
 * 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; if you do, your answer document cannot be scored accurately.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * If you are taking the ACT Plus Writing, see these Writing Test tips.

 Jump to a Section:
 * English
 * Math
 * Reading
 * Science
 * Writing (ACT Only)

 **~The English Test~**

**Tips for English Multiple-Choice Tests:**
 * Be aware of the writing style used in each passage.
 * Consider the elements of writing that are included in each underlined portion of the passage. Some questions will ask you to base your decision on some specific element of writing, such as the tone or emphasis the text should convey.
 * Be aware of questions with no underlined portions—that means you will be asked about a section of the passage or about the passage as a whole.
 * Examine each answer choice and determine how it differs from the others. Many of the questions in the test will involve more than one aspect of writing.
 * Read and consider all of the answer choices before you choose the one that best responds to the question.
 * Determine the best answer.
 * Reread the sentence, using your selected answer.

EXPLORE: The EXPLORE English Test measures your understanding of standard written English—punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure (Usage/Mechanics)—and your understanding of the use of strategy, organization, and style in writing (Rhetorical Skills).

You receive a total score for the English test and separate scores (called "subscores") for Usage/Mechanics and Rhetorical Skills.

Sample EXPLORE English Test:

PLAN: The PLAN English Test measures your understanding of standard written English—punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure (Usage/Mechanics)—and your understanding of the use of strategy, organization, and style in writing (Rhetorical Skills).

The test consists of four prose passages, each accompanied by a number of multiple-choice questions.

You receive a total score for the English test and separate scores (called "subscores") for Usage/Mechanics and Rhetorical Skills.

Sample PLAN English Test (pages 2-3):

ACT: Six elements of effective writing are included in the English Test: punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style. The questions covering punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure make up the Usage/Mechanics subscore. The questions covering strategy, organization, and style make up the Rhetorical Skills subscore.

**Usage/Mechanics**
 * **Punctuation (13%).** Questions in this category test your knowledge of the conventions of internal and end-of-sentence punctuation, with emphasis on the relationship of punctuation to meaning (for example, avoiding ambiguity, indicating appositives).
 * **Grammar and Usage (16%).** Questions in this category test your understanding of agreement between subject and verb, between pronoun and antecedent, and between modifiers and the word modified; verb formation; pronoun case; formation of comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs; and idiomatic usage.
 * **Sentence Structure (24%).** Questions in this category test your understanding of relationships between and among clauses, placement of modifiers, and shifts in construction.

**Rhetorical Skills** -Spelling, vocabulary, and rote recall of rules of grammar aren't tested. See sample questions or read tips and strategies.
 * **Strategy (16%).** Questions in this category test how well you develop a given topic by choosing expressions appropriate to an essay's audience and purpose; judging the effect of adding, revising, or deleting supporting material; and judging the relevance of statements in context.
 * **Organization (15%).** Questions in this category test how well you organize ideas and choose effective opening, transitional, and closing sentences.
 * **Style (16%).** Questions in this category test how well you select precise and appropriate words and images, maintain the level of style and tone in an essay, manage sentence elements for rhetorical effectiveness, and avoid ambiguous pronoun references, wordiness, and redundancy.

-The test consists of five prose passages, each one accompanied by multiple-choice test questions. Different passage types are included to provide variety.

-Some questions refer to underlined portions of the passage and offer several alternatives to the underlined portion.

-You must decide which choice is most appropriate in the context of the passage.

-Some questions ask about an underlined portion, a section of the passage, or the passage as a whole. You must decide which choice best answers the question posed.

-Many questions include **"NO CHANGE"** to the underlined portion or the passage as one of the choices.

-The questions are numbered consecutively. Each question number corresponds to an underlined portion in the passage or to a box located in the passage.

Sample ACT English Tests:, , , ,

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 **~The Math Test~**

**Tips for Math Multiple-Choice Tests:**
 * Read each question carefully to make sure you understand the type of answer required.
 * If you choose to use a calculator, be sure it is permitted, is working on test day, and has reliable batteries. Use your calculator wisely.
 * Solve the problem.
 * Locate your solution among the answer choices.
 * Make sure you answer the question asked.
 * Make sure your answer is reasonable.
 * Check your work.

EXPLORE: The EXPLORE Math Test measures your mathematical reasoning. The test focuses on your ability to reason in math rather than on how well you have memorized formulas or can do involved computations.

Questions on the test cover four areas—knowledge and skills, direct application, understanding concepts, and integrating your understanding of concepts—in Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability.

Sample EXPLORE Math Test:

PLAN: The PLAN Math Test measures your mathematical reasoning skills. The test focuses on your ability to reason in Math rather than on how well you have memorized formulas or can do involved computations.

The skills tested are those you learn in first- and second-year high school courses (Pre-Algebra, first-year Algebra, and Plane Geometry).

You may use a calculator on the Math Test, as long as it's one of the approved kinds.

Sample PLAN Math Test (pages 5-6):

ACT: In the Mathematics Test, three subscores are based on six content areas: Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Plane Geometry, and Trigonometry.

**Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra** **Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry**
 * **Pre-Algebra (23%).** Questions in this content area are based on basic operations using whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers; place value; square roots and approximations; the concept of exponents; scientific notation; factors; ratio, proportion, and percent; linear equations in one variable; absolute value and ordering numbers by value; elementary counting techniques and simple probability; data collection, representation, and interpretation; and understanding simple descriptive statistics.
 * **Elementary Algebra (17%).** Questions in this content area are based on properties of exponents and square roots, evaluation of algebraic expressions through substitution, using variables to express functional relationships, understanding algebraic operations, and the solution of quadratic equations by factoring.
 * **Intermediate Algebra (15%).** Questions in this content area are based on an understanding of the quadratic formula, rational and radical expressions, absolute value equations and inequalities, sequences and patterns, systems of equations, quadratic inequalities, functions, modeling, matrices, roots of polynomials, and complex numbers.
 * **Coordinate Geometry (15%).** Questions in this content area are based on graphing and the relations between equations and graphs, including points, lines, polynomials, circles, and other curves; graphing inequalities; slope; parallel and perpendicular lines; distance; midpoints; and conics.

**Plane Geometry/Trigonometry**
 * **Plane Geometry (23%).** Questions in this content area are based on the properties and relations of plane figures, including angles and relations among perpendicular and parallel lines; properties of circles, triangles, rectangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids; transformations; the concept of proof and proof techniques; volume; and applications of geometry to three dimensions.
 * **Trigonometry (7%).** Questions in this content area are based on understanding trigonometric relations in right triangles; values and properties of trigonometric functions; graphing trigonometric functions; modeling using trigonometric functions; use of trigonometric identities; and solving trigonometric equations.

-The test presents multiple-choice questions that require you to use reasoning skills to solve practical problems in mathematics.

-You need knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills to answer the problems, but you aren't required to know complex formulas and perform extensive computation.

-You may use a calculator on the Mathematics Test. See ACT's calculator policy for details about permitted and prohibited calculators. If you use a prohibited calculator, you will be dismissed and your answer document will not be scored. You are not required to use a calculator. All the problems can be solved without a calculator.

Sample ACT Math Tests:, , , ,

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 **~The Reading Test~**

**Tips for Reading Multiple-Choice Tests:**
 * Read the passage carefully.
 * Read and consider all of the answer choices before you choose the one that best responds to the question.
 * Refer to the passage when answering the questions.

**EXPLORE:** The EXPLORE Reading Test measures your ability to understand written material from different school subjects. The skills measured include referring to details in the passage, drawing conclusions, and making comparisons and generalizations. The test does not cover information outside the passages, vocabulary taken out of context, or formal logic.

The passages are typical of materials you might read in school, including:
 * **Prose Fiction** – Short stories or excerpts from short stories or novels
 * **Humanities** – Excerpts from memoirs and personal essays, and from works on architecture, art, dance, ethics, film, language, literary criticism, music, philosophy, radio, religion, television, and theater
 * **Social Sciences** – Excerpts from works on anthropology, archaeology, biography, business, economics, education, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology

Sample EXPLORE Reading Test:

PLAN: The PLAN Reading Test measures your reading comprehension by focusing on skills such as:
 * referring to details in a passage
 * drawing conclusions
 * making comparisons and generalizations

The test consists of three prose passages: one in the social sciences, one in the humanities (literature, history, philosophy, etc.), and one in prose fiction. Each passage is followed by several multiple-choice questions. To answer the questions, you don't need to know information outside the passages, vocabulary taken out of context, or rules of formal logic.

Sample PLAN Reading Test (pages 6-7): **ACT:** The Reading Test is based on four types of reading selections: social studies, natural sciences, prose fiction, and humanities. The Social Studies/Sciences subscore is based on the questions on the social studies and natural sciences passages, and the Arts/Literature subscore is based on the questions on the prose fiction and humanities passages.


 * **Social Studies (25%).** Questions in this category are based on passages in the content areas of anthropology, archaeology, biography, business, economics, education, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology.
 * **Natural Sciences (25%).** Questions in this category are based on passages in the content areas of anatomy, astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, geology, medicine, meteorology, microbiology, natural history, physiology, physics, technology, and zoology.
 * **Prose Fiction (25%).** Questions in this category are based on intact short stories or excerpts from short stories or novels.
 * **Humanities (25%).** Questions in this category are based on passages from memoirs and personal essays and in the content areas of architecture, art, dance, ethics, film, language, literary criticism, music, philosophy, radio, television, and theater.

Following each passage there are multiple-choice questions that 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

These questions do not test the rote recall of facts from outside the passage, isolated vocabulary items, or rules of formal logic. Instead, the test focuses on the complementary and supportive skills that readers must use in studying written materials across a range of subject areas.

Sample ACT Reading Tests:, , ,

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 **~The Science Test~**

**Tips for Science Multiple-Choice Tests**
 * Read the passage carefully.
 * Refer to the scientific information in the passage when answering the question.
 * Read and consider all of the answer choices before you choose the one that best responds to the question.
 * Note conflicting viewpoints in some passages.

EXPLORE: The EXPLORE Science Test measures your scientific reasoning skills and your ability to understand scientific information and draw conclusions from it. Six sets of scientific information are presented in one of three formats:
 * Data Representation – graphs, tables, and other forms
 * Research Summaries – descriptions of several related experiments
 * Conflicting Viewpoints – two or more hypotheses that are inconsistent with one another

Materials for this test are drawn from the Life Sciences, Earth/Space Sciences (e.g., Geology, Astronomy, and Meteorology), and Physical Sciences. The test emphasizes your scientific reasoning skills rather than how well you can recall scientific facts, or your skills in mathematics or in reading.

Sample EXPLORE Science Test:

PLAN: The PLAN Science Test measures your scientific reasoning skills, based on material that is typically taught in first- and second-year high school general science courses. The material includes topics in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, and meteorology. The test presents five sets of scientific information, using three formats: Graphs, tables, diagrams, etc. Descriptions of several related experiments Two or more interpretations that are inconsistent with one another
 * **Data Representation format** (two sets)
 * **Research Summaries format** (two sets)
 * **Conflicting Viewpoints format** (one set)

Several multiple-choice questions follow each set. To answer them, you must: You may not use a calculator on the Science Test.
 * understand the information provided
 * examine critically the relationships between the information and the possible interpretations
 * generalize from the information in order to draw conclusions or make predictions

Sample PLAN Science Test (pages 7-8):

**ACT:** The content of the Science Test includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and the Earth/Space Sciences (for example, Geology, Astronomy, and Meteorology). Advanced knowledge in these subjects is not required, but background knowledge acquired in general, introductory science courses is needed to answer some of the questions. The test emphasizes scientific reasoning skills over recall of scientific content, skill in mathematics, or reading ability. The test presents seven sets of scientific information is conveyed in one of three different formats:
 * **Data Representation (38%).** This format presents graphic and tabular material similar to that found in science journals and texts. The questions associated with this format measure skills such as graph reading, interpretation of scatterplots, and interpretation of information presented in tables, diagrams, and figures.
 * **Research Summaries (45%).** This format provides descriptions of one or more related experiments. The questions focus on the design of experiments and the interpretation of experimental results.
 * **Conflicting Viewpoints (17%).** This format presents expressions of several hypotheses or views that, being based on differing premises or on incomplete data, are inconsistent with one another. The questions focus on the understanding, analysis, and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses.

The questions following each passage require you to:
 * recognize and understand the basic features of, and concepts related to, the provided information
 * examine critically the relationship between the information provided and the conclusions drawn or hypotheses developed
 * generalize from given information and draw conclusions, gain new information, or make predictions

Sample ACT Science Tests:,, , , , , Jump to a Section

 ~Writing Test (ACT Only)~ The Writing Test is a 30-minute essay test that measures your writing skills—specifically those writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses. The test consists of one writing prompt that will define an issue and describe two points of view on that issue. You are asked to respond to a question about your position on the issue described in the writing prompt. In doing so, you may adopt one or the other of the perspectives described in the prompt, or you may present a different point of view on the issue. Your score will not be affected by the point of view you take on the issue.

**Tips for the ACT Writing Test**
 * Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.
 * Do some planning before writing the essay; you will be instructed to do your prewriting in your Writing Test booklet. You can refer to these notes as you write the essay on the lined pages in your answer folder.
 * **Carefully consider the prompt**
 * **Decide what perspective you want** to take on the issue.
 * **Then jot down your ideas**: this might simply be a list of reasons and examples that you will use to explain your point of view on the issue.
 * **Write down what you think** others might say in opposition to your point of view and think about how you would refute their arguments.
 * **Think of how best to organize** your essay.
 * At the beginning of your essay, make sure readers will see that you understand the issue.
 * Explain your point of view in a clear and logical way.
 * Stay focused on the topic and use specific examples.
 * Discuss the issue in a broader context or evaluate the implications or complications of the issue.
 * Address what others might say to refute your point of view and present a counterargument.
 * Vary the structure of your sentences, and use varied and precise word choices.
 * Make logical relationships clear by using transitional words and phrases.
 * End with a strong conclusion that summarizes or reinforces your position.
 * Do not skip lines and do not write in the margins. Write your essay legibly, in English, with a No. 2 pencil. Do not use ink, a mechanical pencil, or correction fluid.
 * If possible, before time is called, recheck your work:
 * Correct any mistakes in grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling.
 * If you find any words that are hard to read, recopy them so your readers can read them easily.
 * Make any corrections and revisions neatly, between the lines (but not in the margins).

Example Student Prompts:

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