OVERVIEW •  English 75 questions in 45 minutes •  Math 60 questions in 60 minutes •  15 minute break •  Reading 40 questions in 35

minutes •  Science 40 questions in 35

minutes •  5 minute break •  Writing one essay in 30 minutes

ENGLISH •  Directions:

In the passage that follows, certain words and phrases are underlined and numbered. In the right-hand column, you will find alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is best, choose "NO CHANGE." In some cases, you will find in the right-hand column a question about the underlined part. You are to choose the best answer to the question.  

ENGLISH •  Directions continued

You will also find questions about a section of the passage, or about the passage as a whole. These questions do not refer to an underlined portion of the passage, but rather are identified by a number or numbers in a box. For each question, choose the alternative you consider best and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer document. Read the passage through once before you begin to answer the questions that accompany it. For many of the questions, you must read several sentences beyond the question to determine the answer. Be sure that you have read far enough ahead each time you choose an alternative.  

ENGLISH PASSAGES

•  Five Passages-15 questions each •  EDITING test--punctuation, grammar, and style

Make each of the five passages clear and well written •  No order of difficulty in the placement of the

passages or of the questions. •  Two question formats within the passages •  one format, you will find words and phrases that have been

underlined and assigned numbers •  the second format, you will see boxed numbers referring to

sections of the passage or to the passage as a whole.

ENGLISH STRATEGY

•  If you do not spot the error right away, eliminate the answers that don’t fix it and compare what’s different in the remaining answers.

•  When guessing, choose the shortest answer. •  NO CHANGE is a viable answer. Statistics show that

NO CHANGE appears 15-18 times on ACT tests.

MATH •  DIRECTIONS:

Solve each problem, then choose the correct answer by circling the corresponding answer option. Do not linger over problems that take too much time. Solve as many as you can; then return to the others in the time you have left for this test. You may use a calculator for any of the problems on this test. However, all problems can be solved without using a calculator, and some of the problems may in fact be simpler if done without a calculator.  

MATH •  Directions continued

Note: Unless otherwise stated, all of the following should be assumed. • 1. Illustrative figures are NOT necessarily

drawn to scale. • 2. Geometric figures lie in a plane. • 3. The word line indicates a straight line. • 4. The word average indicates arithmetic

mean.  

MATH

•  Questions come in two formats: •  (1) straight-forward calculation questions and •  (2) word problems

•  Questions range from arithmetic to trigonometry •  Most (but not all) of the easy questions are in the first

20 and most (but not all) of the hardest questions are in the last 20

MATH QUESTIONS •  (14 questions – 23%) Pre-Algebra: integers, fractions, ratios,

percent, basic probability, counting, basic statistics, charts, ... •  (14 questions – 23%) Plane Geometry: triangles, rectangles,

trapezoids, angles, perimeter, area, volume, ... •  (10 questions – 17%) Basic Algebra: solving and simplifying

expressions, factoring, basic inequalities, integer exponents, square roots ...

•  (9 questions – 15%) Intermediate Algebra: quadratic formula, radical expressions, absolute value with inequalities, functions, matric, complex numbers, roots of polynomials, ...

•  (9 questions – 15%) Coordinate Geometry: number lines graphs, graphs of equations of lines and circles and conics, distance, midpoint, transformations, ...

•  (4 questions – 7%) Trigonometry: properties and graphs of the six trigonometric functions, basic identities, basic trigonometric equations

MATH STRATEGY

•  Do not get bogged down on long or difficult questions

•  Work the problem backwards by plugging in the answers.

•  Make sure you answer the question: if it asks for radius, don't give the diameter!

•  Plug in convenient numbers for letters (variables) to make a problem more concrete

•  If you don't know the answer to a question, and you are basically out of time to figure it out, then guess!

•  Use the process of elimination to separate the right answer from the wrong ones and to limit choices

READING • DIRECTIONS:

There are several passages in this test. Each passage is accompanied by several questions. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer document. You may refer to the passages as often as necessary.  

READING PASSAGES

•  Designed so that most students will not finish •  Pick the strategy that will help you answer the most

questions correctly •  Make sure that you do not leave any answers blank.

•  Four passages •  Ten questions in each passage •  The passages are roughly equal in length.

•  NO order of difficulty •  some passages may be easier depending on your reading

preferences. •  some may prefer fiction rather than nonfiction •  some passages have shorter paragraphs and/or questions

with shorter answer choices

READING PASSAGES The passages are always in the same order: •  Prose Fiction – imaginary story told in everyday

language •  Social Science – civics, psychology, politics, sociology •  Humanities – history and fine arts •  Natural Science – biology, physical science,

chemistry, astrology

READING STRATEGY

•  Pick the order of the passages to read based upon your preference –  the topics you find interesting and easier. –  pick passages that have many, short paragraphs

versus fewer, but longer paragraphs. –  look for passages that have short answer choices

to the questions. –  Choose passages that have line references and/

or great lead words or phrases.  

READING STRATEGY

•  Once you have chosen the preferred passage, preview all of the questions BEFORE READING the passage and mark the following: –  Line references (you may wish to put a *star

beside those questions.) –  Circle key words or phrases (for example,

vocabulary words, theory explanations, etc). –  Once you have marked for the above

mentioned, answer those questions first (you may need to read text before and after the highlighted (starred *) areas for additional context).

READING STRATEGY

•  To maximize your time, use the following tactics: –  Choose 2 passages (based upon above

mentioned tips). –  Fully understand each passage you read and

nail all of the questions. –  If time allows, for the last two passages, answer

the questions with line numbers first and then move to the harder questions.

•  Don’t let one super-hard question drag you down. Pick the “letter of the day, and move on!”

SCIENCE • DIRECTIONS:

There are several passages in this test. Each passage is followed by several questions. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer document. You may refer to the passages as often as necessary. You are NOT permitted to use a calculator on this test.

SCIENCE PASSAGES

•  There are three types of Science passages: •  3-“Charts & Graphs” passages with five questions

each •  3-“Experiments” passages with six questions each,

and •  1-“Fighting Scientist” passage with seven

questions. •  The “Fighting Scientist” passage is usually longer

and more difficult, so you may wish to save this one until last.

SCIENCE STRATEGY

•  Just like with the Reading, look for your NOW passage (the passage that offers you the quickest assessment of the central relationships.) –  NOW passages feature:

•  Relatively small tables and graphs •  Numbers, not words or symbols •  Easy-to-spot, consistent relationships •  SHORT answers featuring numbers or words

such as “increase/decrease.”

SCIENCE STRATEGY

•  Look for connections between figures or viewpoints

•  Look for trends (are there increases, decreases, or other relationships) within a figure or viewpoint.

WRITING •  DIRECTIONS: This is a test of your writing skills. You will have thirty (30) minutes to write an essay in English. Before you begin planning and writing your essay, read the writing prompt carefully to understand exactly what you are being asked to do. Your essay will be evaluated on the evidence it provides of your ability to express judgments by taking a position on the issue in the writing prompt; to maintain a focus on the topic throughout the essay; to develop a position by using logical reasoning and by supporting your ideas; to organize ideas in a logical way; and to use language clearly and effectively according to the conventions of standard written English.

WRITING •  DIRECTIONS continued:

You may use the unlined pages in this test booklet to plan your essay. These pages will not be scored. You must write your essay in pencil on the lined pages in the answer folder. Your writing on those lined pages will be scored. You may not need all the lined pages, but to ensure you have enough room to finish, do NOT skip lines. You may write corrections or additions neatly between the lines of your essay, but do NOT write in the margins of the lined pages. Illegible essays cannot be scored, so you must write (or print) clearly.

WRITING •  DIRECTIONS continued

If you finish before time is called, you may review your work. Lay your pencil down immediately when time is called.

WRITING

•  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.

WRITING

•  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.

WRITING STRATEGY

•  Plan before writing the essay – Prewrite in your Writing Test booklet – Refer to these notes as you write the essay

on the lined pages in your answer folder.

•  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.

WRITING STRATEGY

•  Carefully consider the prompt and make sure you understand the issue—reread it if you aren't sure.

•  Decide what perspective you want to take on the issue.

WRITING STRATEGY

•  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.

WRITING STRATEGY

•  Use specific examples. •  Make logical relationships clear by

using transitional words and phrases. •  End with a strong conclusion that

summarizes or reinforces your position.

•  Make any corrections and revisions neatly, between the lines (but not in the margins).

GUESSING

SO… WHY SHOULD I ONLY CHOOSE ONE ANSWER ON

QUESTIONS I GUESS?

• (Complete guesses… if you can eliminate a choice or two, that is a whole different animal.)