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Helping ALL Students Succeed at the ACT

Adapted from Ann S McLaughlin’s presentationam.an@comcast.net

BrainworksACT Tutor“

This presentation was created following the Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia. Certain materials are included under the Fair Use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law. Further use of these

materials and this presentation is restricted.”

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Having a Plan…

“Intelligent behavior is knowing what to do when you don't know what to do."

--Arthur Costa, Professor of Education, Emeritus from California State University

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Knowing the Road Ahead…

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Approaches to Taking the Test

Know how long it will take Know what the test is like Know what is expected of you on

test day Know how to help yourself Know how to take care of yourself

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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ACT

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Characteristics of the ACT 215 Scored questions English: 75 questions-45 minutes Reading: 40 questions-35 minutes Math: 60 questions-60 minutes Science: 40 questions-35 minutes Writing: 30 minutes to write an

essay

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ANSWERING STRATEGIES

GUESS!

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Guessing on the ACT No guessing penalty Only the answer matters – bubble carefully on the

bubble sheet You MAY write on the Test Booklet-so DO IT! Multiple choice: you’ve already got the RIGHT

answer. Educated guessing: Eliminate answer choices Random Guessing-A note to the timid guesser: Have

a plan Pacing

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THE ENGLISH PORTION

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ACT English

The English test measures your ability to accomplish the wide variety of decisions involved in revising and editing a given piece of writing.

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What is on the English Test?

General passage topics Usage/Mechanics and Effective

Writing.

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Standards measured on the ENGLISH ACT

In other words-what are you suppose to know and be able to do by this point in your life to be more successful in the future.

http://www.act.org/standard/planact/english/index.html

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What is on the English Test?

40 questions will test punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure. Usage/Mechanics=53%

35 questions will cover the writer’s aims, organization, and style. Rhetorical Skills 47%

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PACING: English

75 questions45 minutes-5 passages15 questions/passage9 Minutes a passage36 seconds a question

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Scoring of the ACTEnglish --The Perfect 36

Setting a Target (Do this for all tests)Your Target Score Determines Your Strategy and Pace

Target Score #Right 36 75__ 30 69-70 26 60-62 23 52-54 20 44-46 17 36-38 11 19-21

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HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS?!

What did those instructions say?

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Know the Instructions: ENGLISH

Directions: In the following five passages, certain words and phrases have been underlined and numbered. You will find alternatives for each underlined portion in the right-hand column. Select the one that best expresses the idea, that makes the statement acceptable in standard written English, or that is phrased most consistently with the style and tone of the entire passage. If you feel that the original version is best, select "NO CHANGE." You will also find questions asking about a section of the passage or about the entire passage. For these questions decide which choice gives the most appropriate response to the given question. For each question in the test, select the best choice and fill in the corresponding space on the answer folder. You may wish to read each passage through before you begin to answer the questions associated with it. Most answers cannot be determined without reading several sentences around the phrases in question. Make sure to read far enough ahead each time you choose an alternative.

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What do you need to remember? Directions: In the following five passages, certain words and

phrases have been underlined and numbered. You will find alternatives for each underlined portion in the right-hand column. Select the one that best expresses the idea, that makes the statement acceptable in standard written English, or that is phrased most consistently with the style and tone of the entire passage. If you feel that the original version is best, select "NO CHANGE." You will also find questions asking about a section of the passage or about the entire passage. For these questions decide which choice gives the most appropriate response to the given question. For each question in the test, select the best choice and fill in the corresponding space on the answer folder. You may wish to read each passage through before you begin to answer the questions associated with it. Most answers cannot be determined without reading several sentences around the phrases in question. Make sure to read far enough ahead each time you choose an alternative.

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PRACTICE ENGLISH TEST

LENGTH:5 passages 75 questions 45 minute test

PACING PER PASSAGE: 9 minutes (or 36 seconds a question!) Includes:

Reading passage Reading answers Selecting & bubbling answer

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Practice a sample English Passage-9 minutes

Correct-as time allows

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THE ACTREADING TEST

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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE READING TEST

• 36-perfect score• 40 Questions• 35 Minutes• 4 Passages – 8-8 1/2 Minutes a

passage• SELECTIONS FROM:• Prose Fiction • Humanities• Social Studies• Natural Sciences

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Standards measured on the READING ACT• http://www.act.org/standa

rd/planact/reading/index.html

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WHAT IS ON THE READING TEST?

• This test assesses your ability to read and interpret a wide range of material.

• It assesses comprehension, inferential ability, vocabulary, and other reading skills.

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Reading Test Strategies

• Learn to “speed read” each passage– Gets you

through– Picks up

main ideas– Know where

items are– Read closely

when directed by a question

• Pace yourself

• Preview questions– Mark words,

lines, paragraphs

• Select order of passages– Read

favorite first

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Preparing for ACT Reading

• Read • 35 min.

chunks of time

• Speed-reading

• Forming questions

• Guessing Strategy

• Bubble plan• Know the

directions

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HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS?!

What did those instructions say?

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THE READING TEST INSTRUCTIONS

There are four 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.

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Types of Passages• Prose

– Short stories or excerpts from novels or short stories

– Questions about plot, characters, mood, tone, motive, sequence, relationships, implications

• Humanities– Memoirs, personal

essays, and writings in areas of architecture, art, dance, ethics, film, literary criticism, music, philosophy, media, theater

– Connections among ideas and events, tone, mood, point of view

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Types of Passages• Social

Studies– Anthropology,

archaeology, biography, business, economics, geography, history, politics, psychology, or sociology

– Cause-effect, comparisons, sequence of events, intent

• Natural Sciences– Anatomy,

astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, geology, medicine, natural history, physics, zoology, etc.

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TYPES OF QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED

• Do you remember all that higher level thinking “stuff” Ms. S. kept shoving at you at the beginning of the semester?

• Well let’s review!• p.s. It is called Bloom’s

Taxonomy

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Definition and Levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy

• A classification of thinking organized by level of complexity– There are six types of questions, #1

being the easiest and #6 being the most complex. (please fill in your handout as we proceed through the following slides.)

• 1. Knowledge• 2. Comprehension• 3. Application• 4. Analysis• 5. Synthesis• 6. Evaluation

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DEFINITION

Student recalls or recognizes information, ideas, and principles in the approximate form in which they were learned.

SAMPLE VERBSRecognizeMatchMemorizeRepeatSelectWriteList LabelNameStateDefine

EXAMPLE

The student will define…..

1. KNOWLEDGE

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DEFINITION

Student translates, comprehends, or interprets information based on priorlearning.

SAMPLE VERBS

IllustrateGeneralizeExplainSummarizeParaphraseDescribeInterpret

EXAMPLE

The student will explain the purpose of…

2. COMPREHENSION

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DEFINITION

Student selects, transfers, and uses data and principles to complete a problem or task with a minimum of direction.

SAMPLE VERBS PracticeUseComputeSolve DemonstrateApplyConstructTransfer

EXAMPLE

The student will use the internet to learn about…..

3. APPLICATION

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DEFINITION

Student distinguishes, classifies, and relates the assumptions, hypotheses, evidence, or structure of a statement or question.

SAMPLE VERBS DiagramDebateExamineAnalyzeCategorizeCompareContrastSeparate

EXAMPLE

The student will compare and contrast….

4. ANALYSIS

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DEFINITION

Student originates, integrates, and combines ideas into a product, plan or proposal that is new to him or her.

SAMPLE VERBS PlanFormulateCreateDesignHypothesize

InventDevelop

EXAMPLE

The student will create…

5. SYNTHESIS

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DEFINITION

Student appraises, assesses, or critiques on a basis of specific standards and criteria.

SAMPLE VERBS EvaluateAssessUseJudgeRecommendCritiqueJustify

EXAMPLE

 The student will justify George’s actions throughout the book Of Mice and Men.

6. EVALUATION

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BACK TO THE

READING TEST

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TYPES OF QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED

1. Referring Questions – ask you to find or use info in text2. Reasoning Questions – ask you to use text to answer complex

questions3. Identify and interpret details4. Determine the main idea of a paragraph, paragraphs, or

passage5. Understand comparative relationships (compare/contrast)6. Understand cause-effect relationships7. Make generalizations8. Determine the meaning of words from context9. Understand sequences of events10. Draw conclusions about the author’s voice and method

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Sample Questions: Prose

• It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that Miguel Chico’s father makes Miguel Chico feel:

• The passage suggests that, when she compared herself with other members of her family, Josie felt more:

• Which of the following best describes Eduviges’s nature as it is presented in the passage?

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Sample Questions:Social Science• The passage indicates

that at the time of the women’s suffrage movement, one of the fundamental assumptions of American politics was that the basic political unit was the:

• As it is used in line 24, the word “liability” most nearly means:

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Sample Questions: Humanities • One of the main points

made in the passage is that soap operas:

• The fifth paragraph indicates that the American family has been undermined by the search for:

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Sample Questions: Natural Science• It may be reasonably

inferred from the passage that the characteristic of the flu virus’s genetic makeup that makes antigenic shift possible is its:

• The author of the passage claims that, in any given year, the chances that scientists will create an ineffective flu vaccine are:

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READING STRATEGIES

– PREVIEW QUESTIONS:Read questions first/mark any line numbers or clue indicators

– SPEED READING:Follow along with your finger, keeping a set pace

*Remember on the reading you may also want to choose the order in which you read the passages based upon interest level.

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PRACTICE READING STRATEGY

– Choose one of the reading strategies:

• Preview the questions & mark• Speed reading with

finger/pencil

– Go when I say so– 8 minutes

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Practice Analysis• What did you try?• How did it work?• Did you finish?• What will you change or

try for next time?• Correct• Does that change your

mind?

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Practice Take TwoCorrect and discuss

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Other Practice• Booklet• www.act.org

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REMINDER STRATEGIES

• Read Time/Newsweek/US News, etc. for 35 minutes nightly.

• Then ask yourself some of the types of questions that are on the ACT. This will produce muscle memory, which will kick in when you are doing the 35-minute reading test.

• Know the directions by heart This goes for all parts of the test!

• Look through the test and pick out your favorite sections and mark them 1-4

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REMINDER Strategies (con’t)

• Take a QUICK look at the questions before you start reading the passage to activate your prior knowledge. (Practice this strategy) (Goes for all reading parts)

• Look back at the text for your answers.

• Take 2-3 minutes to read the passage; that will give you 35 seconds a question.

• You might want to skip the difficult question, placing a circle around it with a – sign in front letting you know that it is a difficult question. Go on and plan to come back later. (Goes for All)

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REMINDER Strategies (con’t)

• Have your guess strategy in place. (Goes for ALL)

• Fill in the bubbles after you have finished a section, keeping track of which number you are working on. (Goes for ALL)

• There is not a right way or wrong way to do the reading test. You should practice and try different techniques so you are relaxed; let your muscle memory do what it has been taught.

• If you can, answer the question in your own words before looking at the answers.

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ACT WritingPreparation Guide

PowerPoint Copyright Statement“This presentation was created following the Fair Use Guidelines for

Educational Multimedia. Certain materials are included under the Fair Use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law. Further use of these materials and this

presentation is restricted.”

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Standards measured on the WRITING ACT http://www.act.org/standard/planact/writing/in

dex.html

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Scoring for the ACT

HANDOUTS: Content of the ACT Writing Test Dos and Don’ts of ACT Writing Rubric Scoring an ACT Writing Sample essays & Prompt

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What is the purpose of the Writing Test? The ACT writing portion assesses your ability

to compose in a timed situation, communicate clearly, develop and support a position, and write accurately.

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Content of the ACT Writing Test

Timed, 30 minutes Prompt covers subject you will be

interested in. Prompts designed to be finished in the 30

minutes given.

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Essay

Take a position Maintain a focus throughout essay Develop a position by using logical

reasoning with support Organize ideas in logical way Use language clearly and effectively

according to standard written English

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Scoring the ACT Essay: Refer to Rubric in Workbook Scoring is based on a 6 point rubric

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Scoring an ACT Writing

Scoring criteria: Take and articulate a perspective on an issue Maintain a clear focus on the perspective

throughout the essay Explain a position by using supportive evidence and

logical reasoning Organize ideas logically Communicate clearly in writing

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Scoring Continued

Quality of essay is based on four fundamental categories:

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1. Positioning

Strength and clarity of stance Rephrase the prompt Choose your position

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2. Examples

Relevance and development of examples used Be specific Use variety

History Literature Business or current events

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3. Organization

Organization of all paragraphs 5-paragraph essay

Introduction – Hook and 3-point thesis statement

3 body paragraphs – Topic sentence, examples, concluding sentence (transition)

Conclusion – Wrap up essay and restate thesis

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4. Command of Language

Sentence structure, grammar, and word choice Vary sentence structure Word choice Grammar and spelling****

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ADVICE FOR WRITING YOUR ACT ESSAY: DO’S

DO Write only on the given

topic Take a clear position Include reasons and

examples to support your position

Write persuasively

DO Write using correct

grammar and spelling Write specifically and

concretely Write about five

paragraphs Write only on given

paper

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ADVICE FOR WRITING YOUR ACT ESSAY: DON’T’S

DON’To Write on a topic other

than one directedo Take a wishy-washy

positiono Try to show offo Include information that

is off topic

DON’To Forget to proof your

work for errorso Be vagueo Go off on a tangent

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THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDWRITING Do not assume that your handwriting and

legibility is not important. The directions state clearly that “illegible

essays cannot be scored, so you must write or print clearly.

What impression do you receive from the following handwriting samples?

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The Essay

You will have 30 minutes to: Read prompt carefully Determine position – outline, map,

brainstorm, plan Compose essay Leave time for a quick read and proof at

end

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ANALYSIS OF THE RUBRIC

Analyze the rubric (break it into its parts to better understand the whole).

Draw a line between the “categories” that seemed to be scored within each description.

Find the differences between the numbers. What makes the difference between a 5 and a 6, a 4 and a 5, etc.

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PRACTICE SCORING:

PRIZES FOR QUALITY & ACCURACY

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SAMPLES: You Score!

Based upon a careful reading of the sample prompt as well as the six-point holistic scoring rubric criteria,

Score the sample(s) that has/have been given to you and

WRITE OUT A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF YOUR REASONS WHY.

USE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES from the essay to prove/support your score.

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SAMPLE ESSAY PROMPT

Educators debate extending high school to five years because of increasing demands on students from employers and colleges to participate in extracurricular activities and community service in addition to having high grades. Some educators support extending high school to five years because they think students need more time to achieve all that is expected of them. Other educators do not support extending high school to five years because they think students would lose interest in school and attendance would drop the fifth year. In your opinion, should high school be extended to five years?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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EXIT TICKET

State three specific things you learned from the information presented and the activity.

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ACTUAL SCORING RESULTS

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SAMPLE #1 Score = 3 Shows some understanding of task. Takes a position. Repeats the prompt. Only two main ideas developed. Uses general statements. No specific reasons, examples, or details. Maintains focus. Organization is simple. Simple transitions (e.g. I also feel). Some sentence variety. Errors distract some.

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SAMPLE #2 Score = 4 Shows adequate skill in responding to task. Takes stance and offers some context for discussion. Acknowledges other perspective. Three ideas discussed. Uses specific examples and details. Focus on prompt is maintained. Organization is predictable. Intro and conclusion well developed. Some inaccurate word choice (relishing & incubate).

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SAMPLE # 3 Score = 1 Little skill in responding to task. Takes a stance. Does not convey reasons to support position. Generalizes about different ideas about school. Repeats ideas, instead of explaining them. Supporting claims are not understandable. No organization. No transitions. No conclusion. Very little sentence structure (I think…). Grammar mistakes are distracting.

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SAMPLE #4 Score = 5 Takes a stance. Offers a broad context for discussion. Acknowledges complications, but offers a resolution. Development of ideas is logical and specific. Simple structural organization. Good transitions. Language is clear. Misspelling of homophones and incorrect punctuation is distracting. Precise vocabulary and good sentence structure.

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SAMPLE #5

Score = 6 Effective skill in responding to task. Takes a position. Offers a critical context for discussion. Anticipates and responds to a counter-argument. Discusses ideas fully with ample, specific examples. Organization is predictable. Logical sequencing of ideas. Transitions used throughout. Intro and conclusion are effective and well developed. Precise and varied sentence structure and word choice. Few errors.

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SAMPLE #6

Score = 2 Inconsistent skill in responding to task. Takes a position. No recognition of counter-argument. Development of ideas is thin – general statements. Some organization. Offers two ideas. Conclusion is minimal. Transitions are simple. Some variety in sentence structure. Appropriate word choice.

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For more information visit

http://www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/testsamples.html

http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/chapter7section1.rhtml

FREE ACT and AP practice tests they can access online.  

Go to MeL, located on the Resources for High School webpage:http://www.monashores.net/

Once on the MeL homepage, find the QuickLinks on the right-hand side of the page where it says ACT Test Preparation.  Click GO.  (Another way to access Learning Express Library is within the list of MeL databases.)  When students create their own username and password, they will have all tests available to them.  There are many, many other subject area practice tests, including Reading, Writing, Spanish, Civil Service, Military, and more.

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TIMED PRACTICE

You should take out a pencil. You have 30 minutes to read the prompt,

plan, write and proofread your essay. Use the Writing Code assigned to you, not

your name. Please print it accurately.

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MATH & SCIENCE

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Scoring of the ACTThe Perfect 36: MATH

36 Points—60 Questions 60 Minutes –1 Minute a problem Pre-Algebra 23%, Elementary

Algebra 17%, Intermediate Algebra 15%, Coordinate Geometry 15%, Plane Geometry 23%, Trigonometry 7%

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Scoring of the ACTThe Perfect 36: SCIENCE

36 Points—40 Questions 35 Minutes—6 Passages – 5+

Minutes a passage Data Representation 38%--

Research Summaries 45%-- Conflicting Viewpoints 17%

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SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

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Survival of the FittestTEST PREP

1. Take a practice test2. Refresh the knowledge and skill needed for each

content area3. Know the directions to each section*4. Decide on a guessing strategy5. Know the answer sheet and have a bubble plan 6. Do not cram7. Learn the pace of the test8. Read carefully; that is exactly what the whole ACT

is--a reading test

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Survival of the FittestTEST PREP

9. Decide on strategies to be used for each content area test

10. Remember that writing on the booklet is acceptable and a wise idea

11Affirmations (I am working 45 minutes daily to get a___on my ACT; so be it.)

12. Say It!, See It!, Feel It!, Act It!

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Survival of the FittestTEST DAY

1. Dress in layers2. Do not wear strong scents (perfume,

cologne, hair spray, lotion, etc.)3. If you have long hair-tie it back4. Eat a healthy breakfast5. Bring a healthy snack6. Bring water to drink (water bottle

with your name on it)7. Get a decent night’s sleep 8. Watch a funny movie the night before

or in the AM9. If time, go for a walk in the AM

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Survival of the FittestTEST DAY

10. Take more than one Kleenex11. Take several sharpened #2 pencils

and a good eraser12. Take a calculator (not a new one)

with new batteries13. Remember admission paper work

and school ID14. Do NOT bring cell phone, I-pod, etc.

to the testing room

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SURVIVAL OF THE FITTESTSKITS TO SHOW DO’S &

DON’TS You and your group are to take your assigned

Fittest Strategies and you will create a skit demonstrating either the proper method for following the suggestions, or the dire consequences of not following them as directed.

Consider different parts, (students, test proctors, etc.)

Use props as much as possible, mime if you have to.

HAVE FUN! OVERACT! GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS!

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Affirmations

An affirmation is a declaration that something is true.

Example of one of Mr. Johnson’s daily affirmations. I am the best looking man on this side of

the Mississippi!

Now, write one for yourself.

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AFTER THE ACT

It’s not over, ‘til it’s over. MME and Workkeys Tests

Math, Science, Social Studies, Applied Math and English

Round out proficiency scores for Merit $

Part of report on your individual and school wide proficiencies

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Michigan Merit Exam

When: ACT on March 9. MME WorkKeys and Math on March 10; MME Science and Social Studies on March 11 (including essay).

Who: All 11th-graders in the state What: 404 multiple-choice questions and

three written responses. Duration: 7 hours and 45 minutes over

two days Source: Michigan Department of Education

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WorkKeys WorkKeys assessments give students and

workers reliable, relevant information about their workplace skill levels. Combined with information about skill levels required for jobs, assessments information can help users make better career and education decision.

Assessments: Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, Business Writing, Teamwork, Listening, Applied Technology, and Communication.

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HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

No, it won’t be forever; it will only feel like forever.

Fact: The test is four hours shorter this year than a few years ago! LUCKY YOU!

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SCHEDULE

Feb. 25-Fill out ACT registration forms (class) Feb. 26-Fill out MME registration forms (class) March 9: ACT Testing 7:40-12:10 (12:15 whole school dismissed) March 10: MME Testing (whole day of school) 7:40-10:45 March 11: MME Testing (whole day of school) 7:40-10:45

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DAILY SCHEDULE

Will be sent home to you.