act prep smarter, score higher—guaranteed or your money back! 1-800-kap-test | kaptest.com/college...
TRANSCRIPT
ACT
Prep smarter, score higher—guaranteed or your money back!1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/college
Test Strategies to Raise Your Score
Agenda
• Get to know the ACT
• Learn strategies for success
• Prep smarter, not harder
But First—Let’s Say Hello!
• Grade?
• Taken the ACT?
• Math vs. Reading?
• Dream school?
Tina
Let’s Get to Know the ACT
Top Factors in College Admissions
Advanced Placement
International Baccalaureate
Dual-enrollment courses
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”
1a) Grades in College Prep Courses
Rigor
Relevance
Quantity
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”
Top Factors in College Admissions
1b) Strength of Curriculum
SAT
ACT
AP & Subject Tests
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”
Top Factors in College Admissions
2) Admissions Test Scores
Overall
Don’t fall behind
Don’t lose focus
Source: National Association of College Admissions Counseling, “2010 State of College Admission”
Top Factors in College Admissions
3) High School GPA
FORMAT/ TIME
SECTION FORMAT/ TIME QUESTION TYPES SCORE MD 2014Averages
English 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 22.1
The ACT at-a-Glance
Math 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 22.5
Reading 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 23.0
Science 1 Section Multiple Choice 1–36 22.1
Writing 1 Section Essay (Optional)1–362–12 7.1
4–5 Sections2 hrs, 55 minutes3 hrs, 25 minutes
Multiple Choice Essay
1–36 22.6Total:
• Correct Answer: +1 point
• Omitted Question: 0 points
• Incorrect Answer: 0 points
Understanding ACT Scoring
The ACT at-a-Glance
Test Day Tip:
Answer every question. If you don’t know the answer, guess!
Test Day Tip:
Answer every question. If you don’t know the answer, guess!
Reading your Score Report
1. Overall Results
2. Section Breakdown
The ACT Writing Test Unraveled
About the ACT Writing Test• 40-minute essay
• Optional, but highly recommended• Scored on a 0–6 scale by two graders on 4
categories: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions. . Grades are then added to get a total score out of 36
The ACT Writing Test UnraveledAbout the ACT Writing Test• Students are given three perspectives
on an issue and asked to :• “evaluate and analyze” the three
perspectives, • “state and develop” their own
perspective, and • “explain the relationship” between
their perspective and the given perspectives.
The ACT Essay Unraveled
DO: Answer the assignment
question
Use detailed and relevant examples
Construct a strong thesis
Organize the essay well
Use smooth transitions Use vivid imagery Proofread! (Spelling,
grammar, and punctuation)
Be clear, coherent, and concise
To get that high score you deserve… 654!
Lose your central argument
Use flowery and artificial language
Use clichés
654! To get that high score you deserve…
DON’T:
The ACT Essay Unraveled
Repeat yourself Use slang or
abbreviations
Test Score ComparisonACT
Composite Score
School Type
2322
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
ACT Composite
ScoreSchool Type
36353433323130292827262524
HARVARD TOWSON UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - COLLEGE PARK
JOHNS HOPKINS
Strategies for Success
Kaplan Backsolving Method
Backsolving• Try out the answer choices to find the right one.• Start with (C) unless the problem asks for the
smallest or largest value.
When do you Backsolve?• When you’re asked for a value• When the answer choices are simple numbers
Of the participants at a certain conference, 1/3 are veterinarians; 1/2 are zoologists; and the remaining 12 are trainers. Each participant specializes in only one field. What is the total number of participants at the conference.
A. 36B. 48C. 60D. 72E. 76
Veterinarians 1/3 (60) = 20Zoologists 1/2 (60) = 30
+ Trainers 12
62
Ratios
Of the participants at a certain conference, 1/3 are veterinarians; 1/2 are zoologists; and the remaining 12 are trainers. Each participant specializes in only one field. What is the total number of participants at the conference.
A. 36B. 48C. 60D. 72E. 76
Veterinarians 1/3 (72) = 24Zoologists 1/2 (72) = 36
+ Trainers 12
72
Ratios
The Kaplan Method for Math
1. What is the question?
2. What information are you given?
3. What can you do with this information?
4. Are you done yet?
+12 %
Logic64 teams compete in a tournament. Two teams play in each game, and teams that lose are immediately eliminated from the tournament. What is the minimum number of games that must be played in order to have only one undefeated team?
32 vs. 32 = 32 Games16 vs. 16 = 16 Games8 vs. 8 = 8 Games4 vs. 4 = 4 Games2 vs. 2 = 2 Games1 vs. 1 = 1 Game
= 63 Games
Logic64 teams compete in a tournament. Two teams play in each game, and teams that lose are immediately eliminated from the tournament. What is the minimum number of games that must be played in order to have only one undefeated team?
Use your critical-thinking skills!
# of winners = 1
# of losers = 63
63 games had to be played
Writing: Relative Pronouns
To _______ is the letter addressed?
The letter is addressed to him.
whom
Objective Pronoun = her, him, them, or us
Subjective Pronoun = she, he, they, or we
WHOM
WHO
Writing: Relative Pronouns
I went to the library with Anthony, _____ is also in my math class.
who
The boy to _______ we were speaking had bright green hair.
whom
____ is in my math class.
I was speaking to _____.him
He
College Prep Timeline
• PSAT in October
• Take AP and SAT Subject Tests after completing courses
• Summer prep for PSAT
College Prep TimelineFreshman Year Sophomore Year
• Extracurricular activities
• Prep for AP/Honors
• PSAT in October for National Merit
• Focus on academics—this is the critical year!
• Research admissions requirements for chosen schools
• Prepare for SAT and/or ACT
• Take required SAT Subject Tests
College Prep TimelineJunior Year Senior Year
• Take SAT and/or ACT for the last time
• Take required SAT Subject Tests
• Request letters of recommendation
• Fill out FAFSA and research scholarships
• Visit schools
Prep Smarter, Not Harder.
It’s All About You!
Consider Your…
• Goals
• Timeline
• Schedule
• Learning preference
Prep smarter, not harder.How do you learn best?
In the classroom? One-on-One?Online?
Good News. Every Kaplan Program…•Uses data to customize learning for you
•Includes reports for students and parents
•Is guaranteed to raise your score!
Prep smarter, not harder.
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Personalized study plan Online videos 2,000+ practice questions 2 practice tests Progress tracking
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✓ 9-hour course
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With a Teacher
SAT or ACTClassroomClassroom Anywhere™
Unlimited PrepUnlimited access to prepfor all tests
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18-hour SAT or ACT course 9-hour PSAT/NMSQT course 28 full-length Practice Tests Money back guarantee!
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Why should their prep be? NO TWO STUDENTS ARE THE SAME
Trust a Kaplan-certified tutor to give you the tools and confidence you need to get into your top-college choices.
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strengths while making significant strides in weaker areas
Why Kaplan Premier Tutoring?
ACT Classes near Wootton
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For more information please call or visit our website.
1-800-KAP-TEST | kaptest.com/college
Tina Craun, 240-447-7592, [email protected]